Eastern times., 1855-05-03
Gastrru Gimts.
BATH, MAY 8, 1866.
APolitical Priest.

lnc'adcd IN Sagadahoc, was stirred up TO its
foundation by the labors OF a famous itinerant
priest. Previous to that time, he had acted
with the abolition party. and was known as
one OF The most INSCRIPTIONS political partizans
ready snd willing for the lowest acts Of po-
litical scullery. Many of the pious and pru-
dent laity of the Methodist church, with which
ne was connected, doubted the propriety of his
appointment by the Conference for stated duty
as minister Of the gospel, because his former
career had afforded abundant evidence that he
labored not SO much for the souls as for voters.
The instance of a conversion 10 godlIncss un-
der his ministry was not known then, and has
not been known TO this day. These objections
existing and having much influence when the
Presidential campaign opened, this priest,
who is no other than the Reverend CHARLES
G. CoSg, left the pulpit and went on to tho
stump. He started for ths purpose of canvas
sing for John z. Hale, but in his journey In
the eastern part of the county received propo-
sitions from The friends of the whig candidate,
Gen. Scott, TO drop Hale and 60 in for him.
A handsome remuneration and the specious
plea in favor of the Generals abolition. con-
stituted rich bait The flaming aboltionist
yielded-pulpit sarcedotals and the negro in
chains were exchanged for the Haunting plume
of war hero and Greeley 'ss pictdre-book life
of Scotland then followed Austin Willey's
amazement at the detection of certain of his
noted followers While Gen. Scott was out
west after that hospital site, Rev. Charles &.
Cone was roaming up and down Lincoln couu-
ty among his brethren, with pious protesia-
ions in one hand, and electioneering docu-
menis in the other. But the crisis came-Gen.
Scott was defeated and the pries,ly politician
was soon after whining for re-appointment for
Conference duty.
For two years past this gentleman has been
regular preacher of the Methodist church,
and during that time has entered into and pros
ecuted the Morrill, movement as well as the
know nothing mo rement TO the best of his abil-
itr L.attcrly the new Maine law has occu-
pied much of his attention. His forte lies in
telling low anecdotes and acting out the clown
on the board, for W hich he is by instinct ad-
mirably qualified. During the consideration
of the new liquor law by the Committee Of the
Legislature, Rev. Dr. Tappan appeared and
argued for the permission of the churches to
purchase wine for sacramento purposes
Cone appeared before the Committee and urged
iosrefuse the request, or the ground that wine
used at the sacrament made drunkards.
While the question was under consideration
in the Legislature and hung between the two
branches, Cone boasted in the street Of his ar
gumentaiive combat with that old ''ItBuny,"
an example for others to follow-a teacher
of righteousness pattern of humility and
promoter of peace and good will-sl1ndering
as a ''rummy'' one of the most honored and
meekest of the aged clergymen of Maine.
Out upon such consummate wickedness The
misrepresentation, the slander, the coaxing
and mousing of this wearer of the pricstly
robe, has driven probably hundreds Of the de-
nomination to which he belongs. pious and so
ber men, into the midnight csbals of the know
Morrill, pariy-one of the cutters and trim
mers-and with Professor Torsey last winter,
rolled logs with several political clergymen of
another denomination to sponge the State out
of $4,000 for sectarian institutions. His
employment as rotary chaplain to the legisla-
ture, gave him a fine chance. TO lobby and
with smooth face and honied words he is
perfectly at home in the matter of rotation,
carrying an adapted exterior from the pulpit
10 the eaucus and from. th0 Ine
stump.
The pulpit has been perverted to such an
extent of late that it is well TO hold up to the
public gaze occasionally the evolves in
sleeps clothing that have stolen into it;
and this is our excuse for the fair representa-
fion here made Of the history and character OF
one of the biiterest, the most active and at the
same time the most Inscriptions Of the pull
pit politicians of Maine. Processing to be a
teacher of the gospel, and employed to dis
pense its truths and impart its benefits, this
minister Of Him who went about doing good,
sinks the high position he occupies, into that
Of poliiician-harangues in the streets, log
rolls about legislative bodies, enacts the iheat-
rical in caucus assemblies, rehearses low and
stale jokes and dwindes into a mere political
swaddler. A fine gospel we shall have bye
and bye if such men are appointed to preach.
Conversions will be numerous when clergy
men steal round under cover of darkness into
know nothing lodges and go home like sneak
ing towards from debauch. No wonder The
statistics OF the churches show such feeble re-
suits. From all that appears, the subject oi
sur sketch was far more successful in convert
ing aboliiionists TO vote for Scott than he has
been since in converting souls to Christ. The
first was for a consideration TO which his soul
adapted itself. and zeal followed-in the lattei
work he is out of his element, where he
propes with mind and conscience incapable
Of appreciatng its sublimiiy End importance
I
= The Liquor Law.
SEC. A. No apoihecary or druggist shal
keen or use anv such louors for any othel