The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1867-05-24

| crossing the Ohio, ~ ! love the beau
tiful hills, mountains, climate, and all
the good and true people of East Ten
nessee, which is very appropriately
called the Switzerland Of America"
Yes, this is my adopted homo, and I
expect to remain hero until appointed
by the Church to some other field Of
labor, or until God in His Providence
shall givo mo an appointment in the
Paradise above, "whero the wicked
cease from troubling, and where tho
weary arc forever at rest"
Since 1858, | have been an itinerant
minister of the Gospel, and from that
time to this, | have endeavored to
make the Apostle Paul'S rule win
to know nothing among men save
Christ and Him crucifed." Christ
and all his apostles, in addition to
their other teachings, taught the peo-
pie "to be subject to the powers that
be; and to render unto Ceaser the
things that are Ceaser's;" and these
injunctiOns arc Us binding now as
when first uttered. No man can be a
Christian in deed and in truth, unless
he loves his country and u Christian
minister that is not patriot, by pre-
cept and example, has not been called
by Almighty Cod to preach the Cos
pei, all other professions to the con-
/ trart- notuit hS tauuintr
In this connection permit mo to re-
mark, that Oycry true minister Of the
Gospel has as much right to exercise
his political opinions as any other Cit
zen, and minister that has no poll
tics is an aadmoly. When | hear
professod minister of the Gospel say
that no has no politics, | can very cas-.
lily tell the position he occupied dur.
ing the late war, and his pr0cltUties ut
this time.
Many persons who have not given
this subject much thought cohiound
tho word politics with politician, when
there should be vast difference made
in the definition OF the two terms. A
p0ittciaA is one who dcvotcs his time
10 public affairs, and who is ingenious
in devising and persuing any scheme
Of personal or national aggrandize.
mont without regard lo the morality
Of the measure.
Now let the reader turn to the word
p0iticS aud no will find very great
difference in the definition of the two
terms. Politics, says Mr.. Webster,
"is that part Of ethics which consists
in the regulation aud government Of
nation or State, for the preservation
of its Sgety, peace ard prosperity com
pretending the defense OF its existence
and rights against foreign control, or
conquest, the augmentation Of its
strength and resources, and the prOtec-
ton Of its citizens in their rights, with
the preservation and improvement Of
their mOraLs." Tho above definition
is the platform upon which stand,
and God being my helper, | intend to
use every lawful and religious effort
possible to preserve tho Sgtety and
peace Of our God-given country, and
for the improvement Of the words Of
tho people.
There is not u minister of the
Church Of which am member, nor
IL professor in any OF our Schools and
Colleges, but what occupy the same
position. IL is the duty of every
minister OF the Gospel, and every
teacher in our schools, not only to
teach the principles OF morality, but
to inculcate the principles OF loyalty
and patriotism in the young and ris.
ing generation and no JomJdStic
threatening nor the withholding Of
supplies can intimidate me, nor cause
mo TO cease my effort in this matter.
My trust is in God, and in the good
and true people of my country, and
| have every confidence to believe
that God will put it in the heart OF
the people to take care Of and support
all OF His faithful servants, our "brcad
shall be given us, aud waters shall be
surc."
am trTly Eappy to say that every
effort made upon the part of our en-
emies to obstruct our onward pro.
gress, only has n tendency to make
our friends more Jealous, and moro
liberal in our support. This minis;e-
rial district is in bettor condition, in
every respect, than since its orgaDiza.
tion, and it is destined under God tC
wield more potent influence for good
than has cvor been witnessed Lol
the friends of God and our country
but stand firm and "quit themselves
like men," and God will reward then
in time and eternity.
| would say, in conclusion, tha
these ndmeleSS targets have no NOR
influence upon mo than the barking o
, n dog has upon full orbed moon, fo
| feel assured that | have the conf
denco Of God and Of all good people
and in addition to all these, l have
conscience void of offence towards
God aud man. l.. +. DRAKE.
May %, 1867