Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-06-29

kuC IIRub VI uiAuAohOtS VI uiO OOSpCl W III
terfere, in the name Of Almighty God in ques-
tions Of political bearing, is one that is brought
prominently before the country by the action
of the New England aud other clergymen on
subject upon which large portion Of their
fellow citizens disagree with them. From all
we ask perusal Of the following calm and able
examination Of the question, which is copied
from the Philadelphia Ledger:
The propriety Of clergymen preaching upon
politics is question which, though often moo
ted, is rarely discussed without prejudice or
Partially. Most frequently il is approved or
denounced, according as the preachers sustain
or oppose the views Of the individual pronOunc-
ing judgment.
That every citizen has right 10 express his
sentiments on any public measure, no one, we
presume, will deny. That clergymen, in com
mon with other citizens, have such right.
will be contested as little. But this right must
have respect to time and place. In the pulpit
the preacher oficiates as priest, not as cit-
zen he cannot, therefore, in the one capacity,
teach what he believes in the other; or, at
least, he cannot r1ghttully do il, unless the
congregation over which he presides, voluntar-
lily gives its consent. II, however, the hearers
desire to be taught politics, as well as religion,
he then may preach legitimateIy on both sub
jec,s. The public have no more right TO in
terfere in such case then they have to dictate
what any private schoolmaster, lecturer, or
other person, shall inculcaIe.
But the right to speak on politics is rarely
conceded, in practice, 10 clergyman. We
believe that Theodore Parker is the solitary
instance, in the United States, Of minister
presiding over congregation in this manner.
In all other cases the introduction Of politics into
the pulpit is direct trespass On the rights Of
the pew-owners. For il must be recoIlected
that clergymen, in this country, are supported
by what is called the voluntary system; that
under this system a mutual contract exists be-
tween them and those who rent seats it is as
much departure from The terms of this con-
tract, for the preacher to talk politics instead of
religion in the pulpit, as it would be for the
pewhOlder to pay in counterfeit coin instead Of
real coin. This is SO seifevdent that il
amazes US how an opposite opinion can be
honestly advanced. If preachers even give
their hearers a different kind of religion from
what they originally agreed TO: if, for instance,
they become Baptists, when they started Epis-
copalians, or Catholics, when they began as
PrOteslants-they themselves abandon their
posts, feeling that il would be dshonorable to
remain. The Rev. and Hon. Mr.. Noel, in
England, and Bishop Ives, in this country, are
cases in point. Yet, if it is wrong for a man
10 teach MISREPRESENTATION, when he had agreed
TO preach against it, it is just as much breach
Of contract to talk politics when he had bar
gained TO inculcate religion only.
We are aware it is said that clergymen, in
discussing politics in the pulpit. are really
teaching religion. But this is begging the ques-
ton. Clergymen, in these enlightened days,
do not pretend to personal infallibility. Even
the church Of Rome, which claims infalibiliiy
for the sacredotal order. in their collective ca
pacty, denies 1t to the particular individual
But, where the speaker is not infalible, there
is possibility that he may be wrong. The
question, after all, may moi be a religions one
no obligation Of conscience may be involved ia
il; it may be only such question any pri-
vatSctizen is competent to decide, and perhaps,
from his superior knowledge Of the world, to
decide better than the preacher In fact, most
political issues are SO complicated, that they
have TO be determined in balance Of probabili-
ties. II is presumptuOus in the highest degree,
therefore, for any man, whether clergyman or
not, 10 attempt TO pronounce dictaiOrially on
such matters. On mathematical question
there is no fear of going astray Two and two
make four, and always will 10 the end of time
But in social and political problems the right
and wrong often minge together SO closely
that, like the over tapping shades Of rainbow
il is difficult to tell where one ends and the
other begins
The true course for clergymen to take is to
preach general principles of morality and re-
,h, IL
applicability for himself This was the prac-
tce of the Apostles, nay Of Christ, their
great exemplar. Nowhere, either in the Cos
pei, or in the Epis,les, do we find the political
institutions Of the Roman Empire assaled.-
Yet, that government was corrupt, cruel, and
tyrannical, beyond precedent in modern times
Paul, initiating Christ himself in this paricu-
lar, preached only against personal sins, well
knowing that if men singly become holy, pub
lie inquity would finally give way. He struck
at the root, not merely of one evil, but of all
evils. The birth Of a new civilization,
consequence of the triumph Of Christianity,
proved that he was right. Ii our modern cler
gymen would follow his example, and labor
with his zeal, the political and social maladies
of modern society would be removed far sooner
than they ever can be by pulpit denuncations,
which are often incorporate, always impolilic,
and sometimes even utterly unfOunded.
We have the highest respect for body Of
men, generally so intelligent as the American
clergy. They must always, apart from the
moral power they WELD in virtue Of their office,
exercise vast influence over the people al
large. But that influence will be diminished,
or increased, among thinking men, just in pro-
portion as they trespass upon or respect the
rights Of others. We are sure they will rec
ognze with US the propriety Of keeping their
to attempt enforcing, under the sacred authority
Of religion, opinions which they hold merely
as citizens.
Masks Off,"
| 1t will be recollec,ed that the Morrll-ies
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