Editorial: The Pulpit and the Crisis; THE SECESSION MOVEMENT: INTERESTING FROM THE NATIONAL CAPITAL (11/30/1860)

New York Times archives - Times Machine ^ | 11/30/1860

[Homer_J_Simpson]

The theme of nearly all the Thanksgiving discourses preached yesterday in our City pulpits, was the political crisis in which the country is involved. It seems to us very proper that this should be so. Indeed, we have never favored that divorce of the Pulpit from politics which many excellent persons deem essential to the welfare of both. The object of preaching is to apply the principles of Christianity to the conduct of life, -- to bring them to bear upon personal character, and upon the general well-being and improvement of society. Why should any form of social activity be exempt from such an application? Why should any duty which men are called on to perform, be abandoned by teachers of the Christian faith, to be discharged Without regard to the motives and maxims of Christian truth? In politics, especially, society has need of the constant and rigorous application of Christian principle. The natural tendency of political organizations is downwards. Selfish motives, partisan impulses, low and debasing aims, acquire more and more ascendency over masses of men in their political action, unless they are counteracted by the steady inculcation of better sentiments and higher principles. It is not necessary for preachers to enter into the details of political controversy; as a general thing, they are very poorly qualified, by their studies or experience, for such discussions. But they can insist upon the supremacy of the great principles of Christianity in the discharge of political duties, as of all the other duties of life, -- and they can apply these principles according to their own convictions of justice and of right, without the least departure from the proper sphere of their labors.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1855-1860: Seminar and Discussion Forum
Bleeding Kansas, Dred Scott, Lincoln-Douglas, Harper’s Ferry, the election of 1860, secession – all the events leading up to the Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts

First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: Sometime in the future.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.

Posting history, in reverse order

https://www.freerepublic.com/tag/by:homerjsimpson/index?tab=articles

To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by reply or freepmail.

Link to previous New York Times thread

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3910491/posts

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

Editorial: The Pulpit and the Crisis – 2
Right of Secession – 2
The Secession Movement: Interesting from the National Capital – 3-4
The Secession Troubles: Letter from Ex-Senator Truman Smith to Hon. A.H. Stephens – 4-5
Musical – 5
Editorial: Our Charter Election-Ten Millions of Dollars at Stake – 5

[untenured]

Interesting. One could never imagines a NYT editorial beginning as “The Pulpit and the Crisis” did in 1860.

In addition, I had always heard Lincoln credited for establishing Thanksgiving as an official holiday. That may have been true at the federal level, but now I learn it was already observed in some states, perhaps localities as well.