A more graphic description of the abolition clergymen of the present day could not be drawn.  It is a picture of modern abolition drawn by the Omniscient God; and every word of it was originally applied to the subject of slavery and abolitionism.  We have had strife, we have had railings, evil surmisings and perverse disputings; and we are indebted to corrupt fanatical clergymen for all these evils—­for all this contention and slavery agitation—­for all this envy, jealousy, hatred and sectional feeling—­for all that endangers our peace and prosperity—­our liberty, our happiness—­and the perpetuity of this glorious Union.  Yes, my fellow citizens, we are indebted to the emissaries of England, and native born American citizens, who from sinister motives have cloaked themselves with ministerial garb, for all the contention, all the evils, all the crime that has accrued or grown out of African slavery in the United States!  St. Paul says, that they are “men of corrupt minds,” and that they are “destitute of the truth;” and he moreover commands Timothy to “withdraw from such” characters.  And in the name of God, I command every Christian, every patriot, every friend of republicanism, every gentleman of honor, to “withdraw” from such men.  Excommunicate them, cast them off,—­cast them out as evil spirits—­have no fellowship with them, until they repent of their crimes and cease from the evil of their ways.  They are enemies to “pure and undefiled religion,” and traitors to their country; and as such, they should be viewed and treated by every good citizen.

Many persons suppose that abolitionism is of modern origin; but it is an error, for we learn from the Epistle of Paul to Timothy, that it was agitating the church of Christ in the apostolic ages.  St. Paul denounces those agitators as “men of corrupt minds;” and he moreover says unto Timothy, “from such withdraw thyself;” viz., excommunicate them—­exclude them from the church, and have no fellowship with them.  It is a fact, worthy of note, that primitive Christians never meddled with the civil institutions of the countries in which they resided.  They were under all circumstances good and loyal subjects.  But the efforts of the apostle Paul, to crush the monster abolitionism, did not entirely succeed, for it has continued to agitate the church, from that day to the present hour.  Yes, the foul fiend, with head erect, and brazen front, is stalking over our beloved country to the present day!

It appears that portions of the church, notwithstanding the solemn injunctions and admonitions of St. Paul, continued to interfere with the civil and domestic relations of master and servant.  But the practice was condemned as unchristian, by nearly all the principal fathers.  Particularly, Ignatius, Chrysostom and Jerome.  Ignatius says, “let them (servants), serve their masters with greater diligence, and not be puffed up—­and let them not desire their liberty to be purchased by the church.”