Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856, 1855-04-05
Politics and the Clergy.

The Boston Recorder, one ot the Oldest and
best religious pApefs in the United States, is
taking strong ground against ciergymen leov-
ing THEFT pIlpiis ~ become legislators OF poll
ticians. We wish [says the New York Jour.
nal OF Commereel il would also write an ar
! ticle agains, ministers becoming politicians in
the pulpit. OF the two, the latter appears 10
US The greater evil. Indeed, if ministers are
determined 10 be politicians. should they not
be encouraged 10 leave their pulpits, and to
leave them permanently, rather than convert
them into IosIums for political harangues =
If they were away, the places which they oc-
cupy, might be filled by men who would fsel
the power Of the Gospel in their own hearts,
and preach il 10 the perishng. The Recorder
says: ~r. - .-7'. ~
| "On ordinary occasions, we think that tie
minister who enjoys his health and retains a
, good standing in The ministry. and before whom
lies an open field for his labors. cannot be
justified iE leaving the Word Of God, fot such
an employment, so foreign, not to say inferior,
TO that which he has been called. Our first
reason for this conviction is, that the whole
habit of mind which the minister of the Cos
I pei ought to form and cherish, the habit OF
devoiug his energies Of thought and feeling
mainly to the objects OF his ministry, must
tend 10 unfit him 10 do himself justice, or to
: do Justice 10 his position, as a legislator. j.
;. he gives, himself wholly to his ministry, he
! cannot, unless he he very rare exception
among men, become skillful and well in
formed politician. There are very few such
universal geniuses rs can be completely fttec
for occupations so diverse. Asa general rule,
. /: may be affirmed that a good minister, re-
naming such, cannot be good and compe-
tent legislator.
n "But we have, in the converse Of this state
l.. ment, still more serious objection 10 edduc.e
n viz: that active legislators, or politicians,
= cannot ordinarily be good ministers. To sue
: ceed as politician, one must give his hear
J. and energies to tie business. His zeal mus
a kindIe upon it. Ii must occup, his public
n and his private hours. But il a minister thu
d deyotes himself to politics or legislation, BIZ
!. mind is by necessity in great measure with
J, drawn from that sacred work 10 which b,
e stands pledged to he wholly devoted. No mai
m can serve Two masters. No man can fill pro
10 perly Two positions, SO far Iemole as the pull
It pit and the political roStrum. The minister
:. who has good standing in his profession, vii
vi be unwilling 10 become o politician unless h
Is can achieve sue eSs also 10 that line. Blu
j. this success is not to be gained by mere nom
VI inal or official connection with political Of
" fairs. He must carry his heart aud soul int
ID them. he must ply ousy mihu' not ony i
d studying the, subjects OF legslation' on' y
Of working The more complex machinery OF poll
le tics. Offices are 10 be gained and gwen
ie Elections are to be PROVIDED Tor ana manages
ID And, however upright me man nimselI m'
'e be, he IS almost necessarily orongh' ihto con
re tact with much that ld dquestonaole' ana eve
er base, an the arts OF political intrigue anu man
sgement.. HIS mlnd' 90 10 speak, Is maue
w bTesthe IN an atmosphere thai benumos IN