The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1868-08-05
Another Link Rrnken.


One by one the ties which bound kindred
and friends together are giving away. The
time was when any honest man who differed
with his neighbor upon political matters
was still regarded as q friend, and con-
tinued to enjoy all the privileges of the
Church, and all the enjoyments of social in
tercourse. That time has passed. Radical
Republicans no longer seek pleasure where
they once were accustomed to find it. They
have cast off their former friends and COM
panions. They no longer visit the Churches
where they were once accustomed to wor-
ship. Why is this so9 Why are Republic
cans excluded from Church privileges, and
even their children not allowed the benefits
OF the Sabbath School 1t is because the
cancer of politics has entered the Church and
is eating out its very vitals. 1t is because
the passions and the prejudices which should
be confined to the stump, and the political
press have crept into the pulpit and poisoned
morals at the fountain head. 1t is because
the Southern pulpit has been degraded to
propaganda of hostility to the government,
and standing institution for the abuse of
all its friends. For these reasons Republic
cans can no longer fraternize with those who
are turning the machinery of the gospel itself
into an engine of oppression against them.
1t was in view of these considerations
that the idoa WAS conceived of establishing
a Church in this City which would be en-
tirey free from the rancors of political strife
and where all could worship without fear of
insult to themselves or their friends. The
idea was carried into execution, and on
Sabbath last sermon was preached by Rev.
MIR. Miller, of Charlotte, in the Commons
Hall. The sermon was entirely free from
political illusions. 1t was not characterised
by any bitterness or harshness. A genuine
glow of charity and religion pervaded the
whole discourse. The congregation presen-
ted an interesting spectacle. There were
selves from religious worship. There were
those there whose christian character was
unspotted, and there were those too who
had strayed far from the old folds, and been
driven still further by the rigors of ecclesias-
teal prescription. There was no ONT who
did not take an earnest interest in the work,
and there were many who for the first time
for many long and weary years poured forth
their supplications in unison to the Great
Father of us ALL Men from the rock-bound
shores of New England joined hearts with
the men of the South in contrasting their
sins and In beseeching protection from their
common Father.
In the afternoon, at o'clock, a congre-
gational meeting was held. 1t was deter,
mined to organize permanent Church, and
committee was appointed to report plan
of organization. Subscriptions were taken
down to the amount of five hundred dollars
and committee appointed to solicit con
tributions. A committee on Sabbath Schools
was also appointed. There is no doubt O
the success of the work. All the money
necessary will be raised. Aplace of worship
will be secured, and henceforth the friends
of the government and of humanity may
worship under their own vine and fig tre'
with none daring to modest or make then
afraid.