It no form and under no circumstances are there striking and painful exhibitions of the fanaticism now prevalent, on the subject of slavery, as those from the pulpit by the professed ministers of religion. In the head of political discussion by unscrupulous partisans, on the stump, it is not surprising that there should be expressions which men of the least sense and patriotism would, in more sober moments, consider with alarm. But from the sacred desk, with the spirit of truthfulness and soberness, and more than all of peace and good will, which should characterize every act and word in it, better things should be expected. And yet from no quarter are there, in these times, expressions of more temper and violence -- of sentiments more abhorrent to our sense of morality as well as of good order and patriotism -- than from it. Blasphemies, even, at which from the lips of Garrison, Foster and others, but a few years since, all were struck with horror, are now not only tolerated but even "applauded" from those not merely in regular but also of high standing in the church. This is an alarming fact, because it indicates a state, almost fearful for our country, of that public mind to which any one of the least discernment would think of addressing such sentiments with any expectation of favor.
These thoughts are suggested by recent exhibitions from the pulpit in relation to the late tragical affair at Harper's Ferry. The events of that affair are too recent to need recital. -- Twenty-one lives were destroyed at the time, the leader has since expiated his crime on the gallows, and others are soon to suffer the same well deserved penalty. It has met with the general condemnation of good men, as most abhorrent to law, justice and the peace of society as well as to humanity. The most favorable construction which the greatest charity has suggested to put on the conduct of John Brown, the instigator and leader, has been to characterize it as the work of insanity and madness. But at a recent meeting in Boston the Rev. Rollin H. Neale, in a prayer even, ostensibly, at least, addressed to "God the Eternal, Immortal, Invisible," thus refers to this same melancholy affair: --
"We pray, oh God, that thou wilt be with
us on the present occasion; guide us in the
proceedings of the present meeting. We pray
especially for him who has so extensively excited
the public sympathy and approbation. We render
thanks to thee for the noble spirit of generosity and
of fidelity and of bravery which he has manifested,
and his deep sympathy with the oppressed.
We thank thee that he is sustained in the
present trying hour by a consciousness of having
acted in accordance with his sense of obligation
to God; and we pray that he may be
sustained to the last. May he enjoy the light of thy
presence and thy sustaining power, and a hope full
of immortality, looking forward to a world where
there is no sin, no suffering, no oppression of
any kind."
And after him, the Rev. J.M. Manning thus blasphemously characterized the same affair, not as the work of "crazy" or even erring man, but as the special act and "providence" of God: --
"I could not have advised him to it, and
yet, not that the event has taken place, I stand
before it wondering and admiring, [applause,]
remembering that it is something which he has
been revolving in his mind for years, until his
soul has become possessed with this idea. He
says he is not insane. I believe he is a good man,
and has been doing that which he thought was
right; and the only explanation I can give now
is that he has been the instrument of Providence
in this. The distinguished speaker who
is to follow me would call it destiny; I should
prefer to call it God, my Heavenly Father, who
has used this man, John Brown, as his sword,
to inflict a wound on the slave power. Whatever
we may say of it, he has been possessed
by some higher power than man's power. As
I view it, he is God's finger going forth in the
halls of the great modern Belshazzar, and writing
over against the wall those mysterious and appalling
words, at which the monarch trembles and turns
pale on his throne."
We have no doubt that the majority at least
of the clergy of this State would now repel
with indignation the charge of any sympathy
with the blasphemous sentiments we have quoted
above. Be we do not think they are so
entirely without guilt in this matter as they may
wish to be considered. Have they not by their
action and preaching during the last few years
fanned and inflamed that feeling and spirit in
the public which now calls for and receives
with "applause" such sentiments? When
and where has an act been done or a word
spoken by them to moderate or check it? And
now, is there any public condemnation by them
of these sentiments? When or where, in any
pulpit in this State, has a single word been
uttered in condemnation of the affair at Harper's
Ferry? A few years since when the assault
was made on Senator Sumner, which however
outrageous at least was not fatal to a single
life, no time or opportunity was wanting in the
pulpit or out of it for condemnation of that
act. But now,
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