The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1854-04-14
"sUGAR COATED CnRIsTIANITY.,


nough, in their way, but from "sugur coated
Christianity" deliver US. BY the term sugar
coated Christianity we refer to that new
tangled theology which would debar the
clergy from the right of speech on political
matters.
/ Our neighbor seems to take exceptions to
our remarks in reference to the clergy, and
to substantiate his position quotes from a
southern religious paper to show that the
clergy are entirely out of their latitude whom
they denounce the Nebraska Bill. The pa
per from which he quotes NAV be good e.
nough authority in It's own region,but sur i'm
preston is that it would have indicated re-.
spect for the religious sentiment Of the NORTH
if he had copied from some one of the many
religious journals in the North, instead of
extracting from journal published within
hearing of the crack Of the ovcrseer's whip,
and the voice of the suctioneer at the slave
pen. The religious editors of the north are
certainly as able men as any South of Mason's
and Dixons line, and are entitled to a hear
ing at least. .......
But to the remarks Of our neghbor: He
says he will respect the clergy when they
confine their labors to their Legitimate
sphere. Well, what is their Legitimate
sphere z" We had always supposed it was
the Legitimate sphere" of Gods ministers to
speak out on any and every measure which
they honestly Believed opposed to the growth
of their Masters kingdom. This to be done,
too, out Of, the pulpit as well as in. But it
seems that we are to be taught new kind
OF theology theology which denies to a
clergyman the right to utter an opinion on
any topic that has ever bsen talked Of in the
halls of Congress--a theology which would
deny to clergyman the right of suffrage
because forsooth, that would bring him in
contact with the degrading pools of politics.
and perhaps defle his flowing robes by
rubbing against agitating political questions
"a theology which places a paddock upon
his mouth lest he may in his solicitude for
his country's welfare utter political sent-
timent which jars harshly upon the ears of
these easily shocked, cover-nice politicians.
Hereafter when a clergyman feels strong
repugnance at any evil he may encounter, he
must, in accordance with this new theology,
inquir. whather it was ever talked of in a
legislative body, or whether it was ever made
a test question at an election; if not, then
ho may say on without fear Of oyerstspping
the bounds of his Legitimate sphere" Let
us illustrate this by a supposed case. If a
clergyman hereafter sees human brute beat
ing his wife on Monday morning, ne must
crush back the voice Of nature that bids him
protect the helpless, and though his blood
bolwith indignation, he must 70 on for six
days, until he gets into his sgtimats sphere"
q. e. the pupit,) once more, then he is at
liberty to say word or two, IN mild way,
about wle-whippng in the abstract, and all
because the question Of whether iAan has
a right to beat his wife was once made q
question of legislative discussion, g. therefore
Of political agitation. .g
The clergyman then has no right to utter
resentment on any political question, although
that question may be of the first Importance
% him; for, although these new political
heologians wish to exclude the clergy al
ogether from politics, they must still be
menable to our laws, and submit themselves
uietly to systems Of legislation in which
hey have no voice. t-sa.4s 4st-.r, e.s
Fears are also entertained that by mixing
n political life they viii become as degraded
s the politicians. In that we see nothing
ut a leit-handed compliment to the political
rlends of him who uttered it. IL the political
rena is so demoralizing and filthy that the
leroy are to be restricted from walking
herein, how can lay members excuse them
elves for walowing in that filth 10 clergy.
nan to be SO much more virtuous than his
'arishioners as that what is an objectionable
in IN him, is harmless, or. may be virtuous
n his membsrsl -is asi- ss4.. -I,... -...r
We have come to the conclusion that this
lew theology can be compressed int, very
ew words. The clergyman must study care
ulIy the hearts of his hearers, and their vices
then he must studiously avoid all reference
o those vices for fear of hurting their feelings.
10 must not arouse their cOnseiences by any
tsrtling donuncistions OF sins or misdems san
'rs of which they stand guilty-but .heir
ears must be tckled and their conssiences
alved by the harmonious blending ofI
rhetorical fOurishes, and gracefully roondsd
'srods, without going any deeper. In thi,
way they can steer clear Of comment and
and have the pleasant reflection
hat they are con6ning themselves to their
,l.o;,mats anhsr - and ara In .tr;ct .,s..~I |