Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1855-09-20

Speakers VIII be present at all oil these
meetings, and address the people upon the
political topics of the day.
OF We notice that the Rev. j. V. r. Nil
LER, a Methodist minister, residing in john
son county, has published a list of appoint
ments to address the people of that county
on the political topics of the day, and in OPP
position to the principles advocated by the
Democratic party.
What will the Democratic members of his
Church say to this course on the part of their
spiritual teacher? VIII not they feel very
much like sitting "under the ~droppings of
the sanctuary as issued by this political
priest? OF course, his speeches will create a
vast amount of brotherly love and good feel
ing among the membership.
Will not our Methodist friends consider
calmly and dislassionately, aside from all
political bias. what the effects Of the course
of the political preachers are certain to be in
regard to the prosperity of the Church? 1t is
so glaringly inconsistent with the high and
holy offices eff the priesthood for its members
to enter the political arena, and forgetting the
dignity of their calling-the sacred purity Of
their position-to bespatter their sacerdotal
robes with the filth and slime of the world,
that we cannot conceive how any thoughtful,
right-minded protesting christian can tolerate
or even excuse such a course ON the part Of
the clergy.
The course of these political preachers is
wounding religion almost fatally. 1t is en-
gendering in the churches a spirit of malevo-
lence-a hatred Of brother for brother 1T is
turning the current of mems thoughts from a
contemplation of the beautiful and enchanting
principles of religion, to the consideration Of
the claims ofrival parties, and of rival candi-
dates-it is crushing out the life-blood of the
church and sapping the very foundations of
our religious snperstructure.
We do hope to see the church take a de-
cided and firm stand against these political
incubuses upon her prosperity and usefulness.
We hope to see her indicating those minis
tiers who have kept their garments unspotted
from the world setting her face like flint
against all who would make merchandise of
the holy Office of the priesthood-who pros
titute their sacred calling to the basest uses.
If the Church refuse to take this position, GER
tain decay will fall upon it. A return to the
old beaten paths of the early fathers of the
Church, will be the signal for the ushering in
of a more propitious era than the present.
Revival fires would again be kindled-shouts
of those made happy in their Savior's love
would be heard churches would be filled
with hearers and affairs crowded with seekers
after salvation. A whole year would not
then pass without a revival, but the Church
would be, as she once was, constantly Gre
freshed from the presence of the Lord"
These are facts which all our Methodist
friends can appreciate. Then let the money
changers be driven from the temple-the po-
litical priest be silenced-the rancorings of
party strife give way to that spirit of conces-
sion and forbearance inspired by religion-let
those members who have taken oaths incon-
sistent with their discipline, the civil law Of
the land, and the Book of Life, withdraw
from the Know Nothing Lodges, where they
have been taught riot, arson, murder and
treason, instead of religion and morals and
political i~ntegrity-where they have been
sworn 70 he instead of being taught a reve-
renee for the great fundamental principles Of
Religion, 1ruth-where they have been obi
gated to prescribe and denounce their breth'
rem instead of hearing the Divine precep
"Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself'-
where they have heard naught to qualify
them for the discharge of their Christian du
ties, but have heard a great deal to create il
their hearts the vilest passions-the mos
unholy thoughts, and the most develish de
signs. IL all the Churches whose member
have gone into these dens of iniquity, woul'
again enjoy such a state of religious feeling a
once existed among them, they must impress
upon their members the necessity of a with
drawal from their associations. EVIL com
muhtOabAOho hot Ohig SoiAups SoOu hiui
ners,' but they are the very bane of Religio
itself.
We would not deny, either to the Churc'
member or the minister any of the right
guaranteed to him by our laws. 1t is the dut
of every American citizen to understand tn
political history of his country, to vote at on
elections, and the laity may make speeche!
or otherwise participate in a political cam
paign. But for the ministry to forsake tn
pulpit for the ~club-room, to lay aside tn
cross for the political foil, to forsake tn
sanctuary for the rabble crowd, is so incol
sistent with his calling, so at war with h
position, that no one who is honest with hin
self or a true friend of the Church and eau.
of Religion can justify such a course by
single argument
GColored men, owners of property to Il
amount of two hundred dollars, are allow,