The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1857-07-16
TERMS $500

A METHODIST RIsHoP TO METHoDIsr MIsIs-
rERs.-- Bishop Morris, of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church North, at the Fast Maine Confer
ence, on the 26th OF May ult., being a. out to
announce the appointment of preachers 10 their
various stations and circuits af,er some excel
lent preliminary remarks, said: .,ss
81 deem it pot unimpOrtant or out Of piece TO
address. a few words TO you, my brethren upon
subject which is attracting considerable at
tenton at the present time namely: as to how
far minister of the gospel ought TO take part
IN the politics of the day. When a minister
goes into his pulpit, he finds his congregation
composed of men Of differ ent political views, of
men zealOnsly and conscientiousiy attached 10
different political parties; and, if he publicly
becomes the partizan of one side or the; other,
there will of necessity spring up GOODNESS to-
wards him in a part Of the congregation, which
will very much diminish his influence. | feel
convinced from what | have observed, that the
only result that can be expected from minis
ter taking part in the political contests and dis
cQssions of the day, will be to EN-, ender strife
and hard feeling in his congregation.
But some may ask, whether we are not cit-
zens like other men, and have not duties to per-
form as such? r Most certainly we are and l
trust / have not proved recreant to the obliga-
tons resting upon me as a citizen, although I
have not, for the forty years | have been in the
ministry ever entered political meeting, or
spent above five minutes at any one election
have always made it point to 90 to the polls
at the most quiet time of the day, when there
was likely to be the least excitement-to depos-
1t my ballot in an unostentatious manner and re-
turn home. have never seen the time when |
thought was called upon as a citizen to do
more than this. | know rot how it NAV be
with others, but have always found enough to
do IN the duties OF my calling | am willing to
let the potsherds strive with the potsherds,'
but prefer ior myself to attend to the duties de.
yolving on me as minister of Christ. [ recoI-
ect an anccdOte of Methodist brother wko
was stationed to preach the gospel to the people
in Fountain Head Circuit near the hermitaga
OF the late President jackson, in the exciting
political times of his second election 4 Party
zeal was just then at its height, and each par
ty Wanted every one to be on its side. They
sought out the newly arrived minister, and ca
gerly inquired Of him whose side he was on p
l am on the side Of the Lord and Fountain
Head Circuit was the reply. (WHICH of the
candidates DO you intend to vote for?'- 4 trust
that shall be found on my knees, praying to
God for the conversion Of sinners and the up
building of Zion in Fountain Head Circuit
However they might question the devoted min
lster, he would wisely answer that he meant
to DO his duty faithfully as a minister of Christ
IN Fountaln Head Circuit In conclusion, let
me say, my brethren go ye and do likewise"
1t would have been fine thing if some sem
sibIe bishop would have addressed the members
.of .he last session of the Pittsburgh Conference
OF the NJ. f. Church in the same manner that
Bishop Morris addressed the members Of tho
Maine conterence.--ED SENTINEL.1