The Washington union., 1857-04-23
roLrrIoAL PREAcHING IN ENGLANp.

The New York Evening Post (black republican,
transfers 10 its columns from the London Times the
subioined letter, with the simple remark that
preaching politics is not confined to the pulpit of
the United States ~
10 he Editor Of he Times:
Sur One Of the phases of the present elections Is the
large number of clegymen who have made their appear
ance as 'hustings orators. The evil s growing one,
and you would do the church good service ii you would
notice it, Recriminatons and angry words banded and
party feeling rouscd w towards the individual
clergyman who loses his temper in election strife and
the acts of few bring dscredit on the whole body
believe the root of the evil has its origin In their habits
and tastes having first been secularzed by Quarter Ses
sons &c. and the transition from the calling of the ma
gstate that of electoneerng pouter is not so diff
cult
/ will select some specimens from your columns to
prove how widespread is the evil
Shoreham--Rev. j. GoTing proposed Lord a. Len
Litchfeld Rev j. B Floyer proposed Lord Paget.
Barnstabe-Rev. II. b. Wrey proposed Mr.. Laurie.
Herefordshre--Mr. King seconded by the Rev. l..
Higgins Mr. K Davies by the Rev. J. Hopton Sir Ill.
Cottercll by the Rev. A. Give.
Norfolk (West)--Hon. and Rev. E. S Kcppel proposed
Mr. b. Gurdon; Rev. P. Gurion spoke in support.
Rutand-Rev. G.. Ellicott seconded the Hon. g. Noel.
Northumberland Il. G. oglc nominated Mr..
Beaumont.
Leicestershirc-Mr. G. Frewen was seconded by the
Rev j. Babington.
Wiltshire e--Rer Arthur Fame seconded Lord Ii.
Thyme.
Public opinion has already nearly driven from the
course the hunting field and the ballroom ministers OF
Christs flock it would be equally eiicacious II it could
be brought to bear to expel from the nagtera bench
and the noisy hstngs those who promised at their ordi
nation "they would maintain and set forward quieness
peace and love among all Christian people.
am, sir your most obedient servant, s. I. s.
We presume that the object Of the Evening Post
in giving publicity the above letter is to offer pal
ation OF precedent-for clerical interference in cleo
tions is an old story in Englandfor the disgraceful
conduct of the Fremont clergymen during the late
presidential election But the precedent in this .in-
stance will not hold good. In England there is a
thorough and complete union Of Church and State.
The sovereign is the head Of the established Church.
Its bishops occupy seats in the House of Lords and
exercise both temporal and spiritual power; and,
as natural sequence the inferior clergy are stimu-
lated into active political partisanship in the hope Of
attracting the favorable attention of their superors,
and thus prepare the way, it is not uncharitabe to
infer for their own advancement in the Church
The spirit of our republican institutions is wholly
opposed to a mingling of politics and religion, let
alone recognition of prestly dictation; and until
the advent of black repubicansm the instances were
indeed of clergymen participating i'll political
discussions even in their social intercourse. In Eng
land with its established Church, its priesty legis-
ators its tithes, and ecclesiastical courts, are
not surprised that tho 'Rev. Arthur Fame seconded
Lord II. Thyme" or that the "Rev p. Gurdon spoke
in support" Of Mr.. b. Gurdon; but iii this country
we have namstakable evidence that the days Of po-
tical preachers and political preaching drawing
to an end and that the attempt of "thc three thou
sand clergymen of New England" to control the con-
sciences and the votes of their respective hocks has
been followed by reaction in public sentiment
throughout the North which promises to be attend
ed with The most beneficial results.