The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-09-27
Ministers OF the Gospei-Serving God and
MummOn.


Mammon.
We read, a few days ago, in Liverpool paper,
with feelings of loathing and disgust, of the bias
phemous aduaton of a Liverpool parson, who
compared the visit of Prince Albert to Liverpool
with the coming OF Christ or earth As members
of the human family, we felt Inundated that there
should be person so utterly lost 10 all sense OF
nanliness, decency and religion, as to be guilty
of such profane and servile sycophancy, and
more that such an abject thing should wear the
livery of heaven. We thanked God that he was
not sn American.
And yet there amongst ministers Of the
gospel so worldly minded as to think of nothing
but secular offices of honor and emoument
whilst they should be devotipg their time 10 the
saving OF souls, and 10 a spiritual combat with the
world. the flesh, and the devil. Some OF these
men practice law, profession by no means
consonant with their holy calling; some
deavor TO get elected to Congress, having,
for that purpose, wallowed in the miry
gutter of politics try to become Sc
nators, and they can be always singled ont by
the violence of their language and the uncharita-
beness of their remarks and some Of them have
an eye even GU the Presidency of the United
States. This is n lamentable state of things, and
speaks badly for the purity OF religion amongst
us
We believe that neither protection free trade
nor any other political hobby of the present day,
formed a subject of Chrst's instructions 10 his
apostles. We had always thought that ministers
of the gospel were invested with spiritual authori-
ty solely for the purpose of combating the arch
enemy of mankind, looking after the stray sheep,
and spreading the word Of God. We never ina
gned that II part of their duty to spout from
stump, or to engage in the petty antagonism Of
election squabbles
We can conceive OF no position more elevatug,
more ennobling, or commanding greater respect
than that of a clergyman of pous, holy and ex-
snplary life He breaches the word of God in
simplicity of heart He is example to his flock
of meekness, charity, fortitude and forbearance,
and he has bat one aim in all his actions-name-
w. the glory of God and the salvation OF souls
He would not exchange his plain cassock for the
ermined mantle or the jewelled robe. He preach
es and his words have weight, for his life is holy.
He attends the death.bed Of the dying sinner,
breathes contrition and hope into his SOUL and in
fuses balm and consolation into the heart wherein
before had regned darkness and despair He has
the love of the young and the respect Of tho old.
He is devoted to the interests of his flock, because
he has no earthly cares-no terrestrial ambition
and thus, simple in his life, gentle in his teach
ings, mild and unobtrusive in his demeanor, and
fervid in his pety, in his life holy and in his death
calm and hopeful, he gives an exemplar Of the
efficacy of lis preaching and so wins souls to Hea
ven.
Now let us draw another picture An illiterate
individual thinks, or at all events pretends, that
ne has a call" He puts on demure look,
dresses in sables, assumes to be deep in the mys
teries of the Bible, gets together meeting, and
sputers out texts of scripture by the yard, inter-
spersing them with his own notions and specula-
tons touching the meaning of the aforesaid texts
of scripture, and on matters and things in general.
AS preacher, he always possesses influence with
the female portion of the community, and thus
gains an ascendency over their husbands. His
mind is without balance, and he soon signs after
the excitement and the glitter OF official life. He
takes part in politics, argues stouty the merits
of this or that system, denounces the party oppo
sed to MIN in politics, and persuades the SIMPLE
minded people, partly by his stump oratory and
partly by the influence Of his position, to send
him to Congress.
II is odd, and furthermore it is indecorous for a
man to deliver violent and Incorporate political
haraugue in the morning, and in the evening to
deliver discourse religion from the pu pit OF a
christian temple. The minister's gown should be
as Immaculate and free from worldly faint as the
robe OF vestal. But when that gown is soiled in
the gutter of politics. the wearer loses all respect
and confidence, even of those who use HIM as
tool for the advocacy Of their peculiar political doc
trines
We are totally opposed to the mixture Of reli-
gion with politics. Whenever yet saw an instance
(with perhaps one exception) of minister of
commanding talents or of well balanced mind,
using his sacred office n stepping stone to pot
ical advancement.
There is one thing certain, that ii a minister be
sincere in what he breaches, he ought to be con-
tent with his position. If he preach what he does
not believe he is unfit for the Office of minister
or legislator and deserves TO be treated rs a char
latan and an impostor. We are in favor of the
largest liberty, but we do wish there was law
against ministers of the gospel becoming po,ti-
clans, or at al! events thrustng themselves into
Our legislative halls. In what we have said we
do not allude to any individual We merely OPP
pose the principle, or rather the entire absence OF
principle, involved in the indecent practice we
have commented on.
Departure or the California ns-Thc Last
Scene In the Last Act.
About ten o'clock, yesterday morning, the three
ships Loo Choo, Thomas II. Perkins, and Susan
Drew, having on board the California volunteers
left our shores for their destination, accompanied
by the sloop-of-war PEBBLE. The expedition COM
prses some seven hundred and eighty, officers
and men.
The following is a list of the officers in com.
mand OF the ships, viz -
Ship Thomas II. Perkins F(pennanD-Col. j. D. Ste
venson Surgeon, Alexander Perry Adjuant Matsel
Captains Lpp Stevenson, and Turner; Quarerms ster,
Folsom.
Ship Susan Drew, Lieut.. Col Burton, Commanding
Captains Nage, Erisby, shannon, and Taylor; Comms-
sary Marcy Assistant Surgeon, Murrey
Ship Loo Choo, Major Hardy, Commanding. Captains
Bracket Dimick and Steele; Assistant Surgeon w. c.
Parker; Chaplain, Leavenworth.
The vessels were lowed to sea by the steam
ID