A pastoral letter; written in perilous times, and suitable to the present times

A pastoral lett
Conf Pam 12mo #400

A PASTORAL LETTER;

WRITTEN IN

PERILOUS TIMES,

AND SUrrABLE TO THE

PI^ESEIVT TI^JCES.

MONTGOMERY, ALA.:

FLOYD & W\RROCK BOOK AXD JOD PRINTEKS.
1861.

At a recent Union Prayer meeting of Christians in Montgomery, Ala., assem-
bled to intercede with Almighty God in behalf of our country, the following
extract of a Pastoral Letter, written in troublous times of the Revolution, was
read by the minister presiding at the meeting. A patriotic Christian lady, who
was present, being much impressed with the suitableness of this letter to our
own perilous times, and desiring that it might have a wider circulation, ex-
pressed a wish that it might be printed in the form of a tract, and provided
means to defray the expense of its publication.

This letter bears date May 22, 1775; and was written by Drs. Witherspoon,
Rodgers, and others, of a Synod of the Presbyterian Church, to the Congrega-
tions under their care.

Pj^STOlFt^VL LKTTEFt.

Ver/j Pear Brethren : — The S^^iiod being met at a time when
public affiiirs wear so threatening an aspect, and when (unless
God in his sovereign providence speedily prevent it) all the
horrors of a civil war throughout this great Continent arc to
be apprehended, were of opinion, that they could not dis-
charge their duty to the numerous Congregations under their
care, without addressing them at this important crisis. As
the firm belief, and habitual recollection of the power and
presence of the living Grod, ought at all times to possess the
minds of real Christians, so in seasons of public calamity,
when the Lord is known by the judgment which he execut-
etli, it w^ould be an ignorance or indifference highly criminal
not to look up to Him with reverence, to implore his mercy
by humble and fervent prayer, and, if possible, to prevent his
vengeance by unfeigned repentance.

We therefore, brethren, beseech you in the most earnest man-
ner, to look beyond the immediate authors either of your suf-
ferings or fears, and to acknowledge the holiness and justice
of the Almighty in the present visitation, lie is righteous
in all his ways, and holy in all his works. Affliction spring-
eth not out of the dust. He doth not afflict willingly, nor
grieve the children of men ; and, therefore, it becomes every
person, family, city, and province, to humble themselves be-
fore his throne, to confess their sins, by wdiich they have pro-

voked his indignation, and to beseech him to pour out upon
all ranks a spirit of repentance and of prayer. Fly also for
forgiveness to the atoning blood of the Redeemer — the blood
of sprinkling, which speaketh better things than that of
Abel. Remember and confess not only your sins in general,
but those prevalent national offences, which may be justly
considered as the procuring causes of public judgments ; partic-
ularly profaneness and contempt of Grod, his name. Sabbaths,
and sanctuary ; pride, luxury, uncleanness, and neglect of fam-
ily religion and government, with the deplorable ignorance
and security which certainly ought to be imputed to tliis as
their principal cause. All these are, among us, highly ag-
gravated by the inestimable privileges which we have hither-
to enjoyed without interruption since the first settlement
of this country. If, in the present day of distress, we ex-
pect that Grod will hear our supplications, and interpose for
our protection or deliverance, let us remember, what He him-
self requires of us is, that our prayers should be attended
with a sincere purpose, and thorough endeavor after personal
and family reformation. '-'If thou prepare thine heart, and
stretch out thy hand towards him, if iniquity be in thine
hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy
tabernacles." Job xi. 13, 14.

The Synod cannot help thinking that this is a proper time
for pressing all of every rank, seriously to consider the things
that belong to their eternal peace. Hostilities, long feared,
have now taken place ; the sword has been drawn in one
province, and the whole continent, with hardly any exception,
seem determined to defend their rights by force of arms. If,
at the same time, the British ministry shall continue to en-
force their claims by violence, a lasting and bloody contest
must be expected. Surely, then, it becomes tliose who havo
taken up arms, and profess a willingness to hazard their lives
in the cause of liberty, to be prepared for death, which to many
must be certain, and to every one is a possible or probable
event.

We have long seen with concern, tlie circumstances which
occasioned and the gradual increase of, this unha])py differ-
ence. As Ministers of the gospel of peace, we have ardently-
wished that it could, and often hoped that it would have been
more early accommodated. It is well known to you, (other-
wise it woukl be imprudent indeed thus public y to profess)
that we liave not been instrumental in inflaming the minds of
the people, or urging them to acts of violence and disouler.
Perhaps no instance can be given on so interesting a subject,
in which political sentiments have been so long and so fully
kept from the pulpit, and even malice itself has not charged us
with labouring from the press : but as things are now come to
sucli a state, that we do not wish to conceal our opinions as
men and citizens, so the relation we stand in to you seemed
to make the present improvement of it to your spiritual bene-
lit, an indispensable duty.

Suffer us then to lay li(dd of your present temper of mind_,
and to exhort, especially the young and vigorous, by assur-
ing them that there is no soldier so undaunted as the pious
man, no army so formidable as those who are superior to the
fear of death. TLere is nothing more awful to think of, than
that those whose trade is war should be despisersof the name
of the Lord of hosts, and that shey should expose themselves
to the imminent danger of being immediately sent from curs-
ing and cruelty on the earth, to tlie blaspheming rage and
desparing horrors of the infernal pit. Let^ therefore, every
one, who from generosity of spirit, or benevolence of heart,
offers himselt as a champion in his country's cause, be per-
suaded to reverence the name, and walk in the fear of the
Prince of the kings of the earthy and then he may, with the
most unshaken firmness, expect the issue cither in victory or
death .

Let it not be forgotten, that though for the wise ends of his
providence it may please God, for a season to suffer his peo-
ple to Ifc under unmerited oppression, yet in general, we may
expect, that those who fear and servo Him in sincerity and

6

truth, will be favoured witli his countenance and strength.
It is both the character and the privilege of the children of
God, that they call upon Him m the day of trouble, and He,
who keepeth covenant and truth for ever, has said, that his
ears arc always open to their cry. We need not mention to
you in how many instances the event in battles, and success
in war, have turned upon circumstances which were inconsider-
able in themselves, as well as out of the power of human pruence
to foresee or direct, because we suppose you firmly believe that
after all the counsels of men, and the most probable and
promising means, the Lord will do that which seemeth him
good ; nor hath his promise ever failed of its full accomplish-
ment: "the Lord is withyou while ye be with him, and if ye seek
him he will be found of you ; but if ye forsake him he will
foiwake you." 2 Chron. xv. 2.

The Union Prayer-meeting, at which this Pastoral
Letter was read, is held on every Monday afternoon, between
the hours of five and six, in the Lecture Room of the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church.

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