Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-02-16
CHAPLAIN TO THE HOUSE OF REP.
REsENTATIyEs.
Z To The Editors.

10 nc LIuuUS
GENTLEMEN: 1t was with deep regret |
read in your issue of to-day that nv name had
been presented, among many others, in con.
necton with the Office of Chaplain to the
House of Representatives. While do not
doubt that the honorable gentleman who pro.
posed it was actuated by the kindest motives
towards me, yet, in my judgment, it will have
tendency to do me injury, as suggesting that
it was done at my desire or solicitation /
beg permission TO state TO nv friends, through
the medium of your journal, that the presenta.
ton of my name was entirely without my con.
sent, desire, or suggestion, and that have not
the slightest personal acquaintance with the
gentleman who proposed it. | am strongly
convinced that the means adopted of late years
by applicants for the office of Chaplain to
Congress, in electioneering for votes, &C., have
brought odium and contempt upon the sacred
office of a minister of Christ, and have rem
dered the honor Of an election doubtful one
while they go very far TO deprive the Chaplain
OF his proper moral and religious influence
over the members.
"Feb. IA. GEORGE d. CUMMINS."
After the adjournment Of the last Congress, we
wrote on the subject of the chaplancy to Con.
gress, and expressed, perhaps, much to the
horror of many estimable and pious people,
the opinion that the chapaincy to Congress
was humbug We endeavored to show that
such an Office was, in all its influences, most
Pernicious and corrupting to ministers Of the
pure and holy gospel
When preachers want the chaplaincy. what
do they want it forH Is it that they may pray
for Congress? That they could do, If they
were private ministers and not the elected
chaplains. No they want it for the distipc
ton and the money it brings. They may at
tempt to disguise these motives, but such at.
tempts are idle and futile
For religion we have as much respect as
any man on earth, but piety is one thing and
ambition another. Yet, when we say this, VIC
do not mean to assert, even to intimate. tha
a preacher is not and should be man. W,
do not mean that he is or should be free from
human feelings, human aspirations, and human
ambitions. The best Of us are but men
What We mean is, that they should practc,
selfdenial, and stife all those passions anc
propensities which. if INDUCED, would un6
them for the leadership Of Aocks, and for ex
amples to the nation.
We know that the chaplaincy to the tw,
Houses Of Congress is as much sought after a
any Office in the gift Of that body. Party poll
tics are even introduced into these canvasses.
Against political parsons we feel it our dut,
to make war against any system that tend
to build up political parsons, we feel that il i
our duty to make the same war. Politics dnc
religion should nerer be connected.
If Congress needs prayers, as we fear Con
gress does, there are a plenty of pious people
who pray to the great God Of this universe /,
direct it's deliberations and action, pilott
money! If Congress needs additional help, j
need not expect to get it by paying Coz
either mediately or Immediately.
In conclusion, we must render the tribute O
our appreciation to the distinguished divin,
who wrote the above letter. 1t is extracte,
from the National lateHigencer.