Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-07-11
From the Philadelphia Ledger, July l..
POLITICAL SERMONS.

Quite a scene of excitement occurred in the Church
of the Epiphany on Sunday night, during . sermon
delivered by Rev. Dudley a. Tying. The Reverend
gentleman had previously announced that he would
breach a sermon OH Kansas affair.", md II large audi.
c.lcr gathered in consequence. True 10 the announce
ment, kaisas was the subject of his discourse, and
il! The course OF his remarks, we ne informed that
the speaker Was severe, a"t Guiy IL EI- Reproduction OF
slavery, la. on the conduct Of those who wish-! 10
Introduce il into Kansas. He denounced the Federal
Government in Il style which was anything but deco.
rol4, and certainly very uni; III Il pulpit. Some por-
ton IfthC congregation sat very untasiiv under these
remarks, aud finally ii gGspoc'ah!o member OF IN"
Church ie't called upon 10 Interrupt; ani recall the
Minister 10 his reason. lie spoke Ut tho scrIn-;i
rs Objectionable i'll point Ut matter and in phli
of inct-that il WIS Il Dissertation ct the pulpit and %!
the sacred calling OF the clergy 10 INTRODUCES such sub
iects, and to treat them in Il style suited only 10 p".
lit.cal and partl2an hRranguts. This rebukr seemed
raher to nstcnish and di'concert the Clergyman. He
uauscd till the speaker had finished his remarks, then
looked upon his written sermon, skipped over several
nnrrs, and finished his discourse. The gentleman
who administered the rrbukc has the reputation OF
having mamumltted II number OF slaves, that would
have boon worth 10 him, in money, ha! he chosen 10
hold them, at lcas! S2O,OIO. Tho sermon has .r-h'el
.;u:: u disturbance in the Church. Some Of the end.
ii.g m-l::her7 ticI.JuI.ac L as an attempt Ia Substitute
political Trades in the pulpit Ter the tea"i.in-' OF the
word OF God.
We cannot but G.rea with them in opinion and
every calm and sensible Innm mu,. sec tia! the sn-
cred ofic. VI the ministry Is i'll very great danger oi
bcim- I.Iiicd by being blended with partisan politics.
The uu,,l:, is no place for discussions, The ra:nre 81
which. Joined with tie intirnity of hEmen trla2cr aud
;u,! .rngur, necessarily leads 10 Incompetence "i
tIuu.ht aud speech. If they ae touched nj all il
,huail be in sOnthing the angry passions which ;kcy
generate, with Ii vir@ to .rs,Ur9 the mastery u rea
son aud Judgment. This 10 the proper ollie" ri the
clergyman, and in matters pertaining to his particular
vocation li:r world defer. 10 bis teachings from re-.
,,r"ci ~ bis character a!d tho sncrrd Office he iu.uls.
Bat thea. is nothing III the pursuits aud profession q;
n clergyman which gives authority Ia has Judgment III
political questions. or makes II superior Ia tina! OF any
II lI congregation. There every man stands upon
hi. own private Judgment. lie dctrrs I" no authority
but hi. own reason, aud pr"sune- Ia settle the prirci
pie Diculduct which should guide HIM, according To- his
OWE rg;i,.i:- J; right and wrong, OF cIpediency or in
tr:est. In MN. macs OFT Gf ton the secular alignment
in src.lar affairs is more Gnii- ht-I.ed and correct iuan
the clcrirui, because men m.Xing wIth III" world IRE
bette. acquainted with the business 9th world an IN"
prinripi.- ii human cctiGn which it, strif.1 and it,
interests call continually Into play. Hence IT i" unwisr
for clergvlnen to bring Themselves in cont ct with
men 81 much better prepared to grnpp!" with the ~
eltonci.is aud questions OF the day, anu III which ,hcir
interests, pursuits and aspirations are 81 much more
deeply rrnfered. Ii is n mistaken judgment "a sup.
pose iha, the authority which nppertains Ia his divin"
teachings carries weight with il into other aud differ
ent channels, and thu Clergyman must have q very
imperfect conception OF his office when he attempts
to dictate where such authority does not exist.