Gerrit Smith's Lectures

The Bupposcd desecration of the Sabbath, by Gcrrit Smith's Lectures, has considerably etirred up the spirits of ccrtain Whig Editors, and thcy feel called upon to cry aloud against th'n interfering witji their politics on Sunday. The Editor of Uie Detroit Advertiser lias rcpeatedly rcferred to ir, and represents us as advocates of political hurangues generally on tha Sabbat h. In a late paper, he says: "QjT'The Editor of the Signal oí Liberty is out in favor of polilical harangues on the Snbbaih. We expected bette" things of Brother Beek ley." Now we deny tint any thing can be found in the Signnl in favor of ' political harangues," on the Sabbalh, in the eense in vvliich the Teaders of the Ad vórtjser tnust undorstand the phrase, without explanulion. The most tbat can bo alleged agninst us ís, that we have expressed nn appmval of Gerrit Smith's lectures; and what is the character of those lectures? Do the people assemble to drink "hard ader," or eomething harder, to sing bacclianalian or Tippecanoo songs to the honor of 'lhat same oíd coon," or some other divinity equally respectable, and spend the time in general confusión and revelry? Tlio exercises are óf a different character - as different as is the character of the Whigs from that of the Liberty party. The meetings are opened with prayer and singmg of eacred Ijymns, after which Mr. Sinitti aildresses the people on their sinfulness in holding two and a half millions of their countrynian in chains, by their support of slavery in church and state. He tells them that such support is wrong and wicked, and that t is as much their religious duty to labor for the liberation of their countrymen by their influence and their votes, as it is to contribute to the Missionary cause, to partnke of the Lord's Supper, or do any other religious act. He contends that God's commands exlend to every day in the year, nnd men are as mnch bound to vote in accordance with his will, as thcy are to pray. And as people cannot and will not do thoir duty to God nor to their oppreseed brethren while voling with the pro-slavery parties, he urges them to come out and join the Liberty party, which is absolutely anti slavery: and adduces as reasons for this, the smallness and insignificance of the present quarrel about Bunk nnd Tariif, eompared with the object for which govemment was established - the preservation of man's r'ights and liberties. And he furtbemore teaches that a Gospel which throws away Jiumonily, and tramples on those for whom Christ d'ied, or npologises for it, is not worth a great deal in the sight of heaven. Now Mr. Morgan Bates seems to fee! wol hed in his mind becausc this is all politics, nnd hc don't want politics lalked about on Sunday, it is such'n vile, filthy, subject, such"dirty ivatera" Pcople should go to meeting Sundayá, and hear the Gospel, and leave politics to those dirty animáis who ore just fit to dabble in such matters! What hos God or religión to do willi politics? What right has n. Christian to mix politics and religión? Who gave him leave to do so? [s it not his business to live a good life, go to meeting, say his prayer, and vote for his party, right or wrong, as his falher d:d before him? Ah! - These politicians are afiaid that if the people hear Mr. Smilh, tlióy wilt break out of their cages, and Uieir exclusive monopoly of governing the nat.iou vvilldepart, and their occupation vvill be gone forever. Look at the catalogue of topics which are geiierally uccounled appropriute to the Sabbalh. Tlie Bible, Tract, nnd Sunduy School causes are hoard without alarm. Lectures on peace, exhibiüng the horrors of war, the cost of armies, nnd all the statistics connecled with the subject, are heard without objection. Is not Slavery as inuch opposod to the Gospel as War? The Temperance cause has been advocated on the Sabbath from the beginning. Is it of less importance that men should be ree, than that they should be sober? We never kizew of Mr. Bates exclaiming against such a perversion of the Sabbath! But he does not think it best the 6laves should be free. Suys the Advertiser, (X?="We are not ptepared to 6ay that slavery should be abolished in the District of Columbia!"c0 O no, and it is so wicked to talk on Sunday of stopping the sale of our counfrymen at auction, that Mr. Bates seems quite horror Btruck! What a beautiful advocate of good moráis is this Mr. Bates - pleading at the same time for the Snbbath and for the continuance of manselling! A short time since we board a lecture on Common Schools, in the Presbyterian church in this village, from adistinguished gentleman of Connecticut, in which ihe speaker referred to the conslruction of school houses, arranging seals, stoves, &c. &c. This lecture was highly commended in the Whig State Journal. We did not hear a word about Sabbath profanation! Is it not quito as important that children should bo free, as that they should enjoy the benefit of good school houses? Again, Mr. Smith is laboring for the ultímate extensión of the Bible, Tract, Sunday School, Temperance and Common School enterprises among millions of aur countrymen from wiiich they are now chieily excluded. But it may be said that no objection would be made to Mr. Smith's lectures, were they not polilical in their character. Well, how are ihey political? He tells the people that slaveholding is wicked, that it is sustained by them, and that it is a great moral, social, financial and political curse. Is it wrong to say this on the Sabbath? Next, he tells them they fihould do uil in their power for the oyerthrow of the eystem . Will Mr. Bates contendit is a profanation of the Sabbath lo eay thib? licvill not. But Mr. Sinilh goes onc step furher, and teaches that thoy should withdraw rom their pro-slavery parües, and volc for nono, but anti-Blavery men. Ah, exclaims Ur. Bates, how wiclcéd! ITere is the gist of ho wholc matter. Mr. Smith might declaim against slavory evcry Sabbath as the greatcst evil under the sun, and no fault would be found; but to present the evil in such a iight hat CCour party, will not get as many voies on Monday, is a profanation of the day not to be endured. The Devil and his friends have so long enjoyed the exclusive possession I of the Ballot box that they feel as Ihough it ghlfully belonged to them, and they are greatly alnrmed at every attempt to make the x?ople feel their responsibihty for their politial ncts. Some persons are afraid of a unión f Church and State; but it might be well if hey would seriously consider vvhat advantages have been derived by community frorn hat union of Devil and State w'iich has so onor nrevailed. Thus 'vhile we should disapprove cf political convocations on the Sabbatli similar to hosc of 1840, wc liave no fault to find vvith Mr. Smitli's meetings, but tiiink thern calculaed to promote the cause of piety, and the best nlcrcsts of men. At the same lime many lifter with us in opinión. With such we have no controversy. Good men have always difercd. When duist appeared in the religious assemblies oí the .Tevvs, acting as a physician, and performing cures on the Sabj:ith in the times and places of public worship, doubtless many good persons were realy shocked by the profanotion of the day and of the public services, nntil instructed by his sublime tcachings, that man is better than a jeast, and that the Sabbath may be used for the benefit of his physical as wcll as intellectual nature.