The Ohio union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1849-1854, 1853-09-21
The true sphere of the clergy.

The true sphere of the Clergy.
The editor Of the Ashland Times, in
his last issue, comes boldly up TO the de-
fence of "scavcngers,' clerical and lay.
In the course ola long and verbose ar.
ticlc, the editor Of the Times puts forth the
following as the chief stone in the corner
Of his recently amended political and mo
rAl creed:
ave think the lime is coming when
ministers of the gospel will not deal quite
as much as some Of them now do, in 'hco,
logical dlsquisilions and doclrinal poln's,
but will take a more active part in HE pub
lIc measures and propositions, which in
vulve an increase or abatement Of crime or
SIM"
A great deal Of censure whether just or
unjust, il is not necessary here 10 inquire,
has been visited upon the Roman Calho'
lie Clergy for inlermeddling in the affairs
Of State. The Times counscls the Clergy
of the various Protestant denominations
10 a course winch will Justly render them
obnoxious to the same charge in a Ien'Iold
degree.
The experiment recommended by the
Times has often been tried by a portion Of
the Clergy. IN The great scandal and detii
ment of the cause Of Christianity. In the
war of 1912. Federalism stducCd a con
siderable number Of the Clergy of the
Eastern States from their position as reIi
rious teachers, and prevailed upon them
Ia enter the political arena. The result OF
that Clerical aposlacy in the land Of the
Pilgrim Fathers has been to bring all re-
Iigion into disrcpute, and 10 render that
section Of the Union notorious for its III
fidelity. The same results will follow te
same causes everywhere. France was
made in(drl because Of the political ambl'
lion and corruption Of lis prieslhood.-
Christianity will best flourish in that coun'
Try or community where its teachers con.
fine themselves 10 their duties, and preach
the Gospel instead of partizm politics.
There are Clergymen in this town
whom we have known for nearly six years
-genllrmen who are universally esteem
ed for their picty and bcncvoltnce-whos'
Temperance principles arc not a thing o
the hour, put on to subserve p%arlizan in
,erests, but who have horne th,i' cen sian
and uniform testimony, in the pulpit ant
GU, of the pulpit, against the vice Of liquoI
selling aud liquor drinking; and whose con
duct now, during the evanescenl tcmpcs
that is sweeping over a potion OF tn
State, is in noble contrast IN The intempe
rate and blind zeal'ol those Clcrgymc'
who are trailing their sacerdolal robe
through the mire Of party politics. VIII
the farmer, the cause Of temperance Is al
abiding principle;-ii is not a raging leve
which has suddenly burst forth and Devil
dercd their brain. In the present storm
they stand mistaken and undislurbed' an
will respectfully DECLINE, We have no doubt
The invitation to abandon their "Ihcologl
cal disquisiiions" in order TO promote tn
schemers of a faction. The members an
congregations of those Churches, entertain
a variety of opinions in regard to politics
and the best means Of promoting tn
cause of temperance. Some are parlizan
in support Of the Maine Law-and som
are not; but their differences and conflicts
of opinion are conducted in a Christian
and genllemanly spirit, and in no wis'
disturb the harmony Of their relations witt
the Church. Temperance is urged upol
them by their pastors, as ChrlsIiIn virIu
and duty, as il has been for years, and
prohibitory law is advocated; but no arc
gan, papal bulls are issued, analhema'isinI
all who will not go with the new party
and the means by which the good worI
shall be accomplished, are lefl 10 be seltlet
by each member between his conscienc,
and his God. AT This class Of Clcrgymen
the Times aims barbed arrow, but III,
effect will be harmless.
The Clergy who have embarked in thu
new scheme Of making the Maine Law
test Of orthodoxy in religion and politics
can sec the result Of their labors in tho dis
cord and heart.burnings which have diyi
ded their Churches, and driven some o
their most exemplary members to with