Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1867-04-07
HrDEOUs PERvERsION or THE COS

PEI.
We are disinclined to discuss politiea
questions, that arouse the evil passion.
of men, on the morning Of that day
which, by the common consent o
C~hristendom and the Laws Of the Chris
tan Church, should be devoted to holiel
thoughts, and to the incubation Of char
ity and love among men.
It is more appropriate to put behind
us for this one day the bitterness Of con.
troversy, and endesvour 10 think char.
itably even Of those who evil eHtreat u,
and persecute Us. We naturally look &c
the pulpit for those lessons Of charity
and loving-kindness which are 50 con.
tinually forgotten or disregarded in the
clash and conflict Of interests and pas.
sions in the everyday life Of the world
and the struggles Of ambition, selfishness
and greed.
But it is q sad truth hat we too often
look ia vain to the ministers of the Cos
pei for these salutsry and holy lessons.
It seems to be fated that the fruit Of the
Gospel of Love shall always be persecu-
ton. P~uritanism, in that respect, has
always proven itself to be only Papaey
wearing q different coat. There was, at
least, this excuse for the persecution of
the Albigenses and the murder Of HISS
aud WICLIF, by Rome, of the Covenant
ers, Of the Quskers by New England
Puritanism, Of Irish Catholics by the
Church Of England, that these were per
secutions Of religious heresies, and the
exercise Of spiritual jurisdiction. When
the pulpit undertakes to persecute politi
cGI.opinions, and TO Judge and condemn
men for rebellion against the civil gOv-
ernment,, it usurps a jurisdiction that
does not belong TO il, and "borrows the
livery Of Heaven to serve with it the
devil OF hate and revenge
In August, 1855, the Reverend MIR
BURTON, Of Hartford, Connecticut,
preached from the text of Xviii Jere-
miah l0,-"C Cursed be he that doeth the
work OF GoD deceitfuIly " Chat is negli-
gently, Z" and cursed be he that keepeth
hack his sword from blood"
The very reading of the text should
have caused 8 shuddering horror among
the congregation. These hideous utter
ances Of the old Hebrew Prophets are as
little a part Of hristisnity, as the atroci-
ties Of the wars Of JOSHUA are ~precedeuts
for Christians to follow. When Christ
said Blessed are the peace.mskers g"
he did not sdd " Cursed De he that Keep
eth back his srord from blood and
the minister Of the Gospel Of Christ,
which is the Gospel Of Love, who takes
his text from the Gospel Of Hate Of a
Jewish partizan Of Assyria, is guilty Of
a greater crime than those money
changers who turned the House OF God
into a den Of thieves. How would that
curse read, INTERCEPTED among the bless
of the Sermon on the Mount?
The Reverend Mr.. BURTON urged, IN
bis abOminable commentary upon this
text, that the crimes OF the Chiefs Of the
Rebellion 81 are related to the honour and
v welfare Of the Commonwealth, and to
The welfare Of man, in such a way, so
Intimately, 50 d~issstrOusly, that some
body ought to be eziled, and somebody
to be hung, in expiration Of them.U
He thought it remained to be seen
whether the people of the North had
& strength enough to administer formal
Justice, and resist the temptation to ex-
.reise any dangerous ~clemency."
That our readers may know what is
understood to be Christian charity, in the
ity Of Hartford and State of Connecti-
Ut we copy here the concluding portion
his remarks. Cruelty aud fsnatical
.ate never before so impudently pre-
ended to be charity ia disguise. No )
dissertation on charity, forgiveness and
)ving-kindness could be half so impres :
i've, PcrsaQdllg to these ~excelencies. as
bis hideous masquerade is, to make cru .
lty and savage revenge hateful and !
They are profitable lessons. .
Ike the blunders Of Statesmen, and the :
Of republican Capitals, in an in !
sense and even the more impress f,
I've because they are sincerely uttered. !
nd show to what a frightful extent "a !
atheism can warp the Intellect and :
lunt and deaden the moral sense. and
feelings Of sympatby and tenderness. !
'ithout which the Puritan Is far less a :
hristian, than the merelfuI and gener- !
Us Pagan. !
But there is another class of those who :
DpOse these punisbments which we al q
ocate, that sFe entitled % more con. q
deration. Aud they have a feeling a
lat perhaps Christian charity REQUIRES
iat we proclaim an universal amLesfv Z
Yell, ] DO not know an innocent thing v
misunderstood than Christian v.
Why, dear friends, charity as y
stands in the mind Of God is no misc "
piece OF feebleness, Juggling more %
5sinst Justice and rendering he Djvina ii
sture q and divided thing. Bur OF
Isrity, It's charity, is such a thing =
at when II enlaFges itself 10 its nj.
ost, ana sIi'cs 10 its highest hight. pc
pu1s On us robes OF full divinity. th
ID goes out in deeds, il takes Ii
3 greatness, o calls itself Justice
A[IAAA@ Hg EEEElNNe-A "a
3 lsmer exercise Of love. To do that srs
lleh requires an immense sternness is ha
~grandest. If 1 whip nv dear a
because I love him, I show nv
It's depths and riches. as l do not 10
len l pat him because / love him. ul'
"a If / whip him in punishment Of Of
ne crime which be has committed :
linst others, I show a certain reach
J grandeur Of affection far in advance rel
that displayed when I chastise him Lin
his own sake merely. Nov I do not lai
to punish Mr.. Davis because I fai
6 him more than I can tell, and
want benefit him on q large scale but OF
hout the least personal spite toward the
and loving him all / can without tbs
lining myself l propose TO pun nri
him a. 3 warning 70 al traitors
q aud unborn. yea, rs a preventive tnt
inst any more being born, and there 70