Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1857-09-30
pelinouenciei Of ClereYmsn.

There are few insolvencies of more evil
consequence to the community at large than
tho moral bankruptcy of ciergymen. Not
withstanding this advanced age of civilization
and the moral and intellectual improvements
in society. it is nevertheless palpable that cler
ical deiinquencies increase in corresponding
ratio. Though 1t is conceded that the great
majority OF them are, as in former years. good
and true men, yet the fearful record of our
courts gives vast increase Of ministerial cul-
prits. Scarcely week passes. unless we read
the blasting intelligence of some minister hav-
ing seduced some innocent girl, or absconded
with another mans wife or been guilty of
other offence equally revolving to the moral
feelings of society and disgraceful to the
church. This evil is made ten fold worse by
the natural taste of the community for scan
dai-more publicity being given to one clcri-
cal culprit than to ninety and-nine faithful
ministers whose exemplary walk and deport-
ment challenge the most rigid scrutiny Of So
ciety. The false step of minister, therefore,
becomes q wide-spre aiding evil, unsettling the
faith of hundreds, neutralizing the labors of
| . thousand evangelists, and leading many to
regard the clerical profession as only cloak
of hypocrisy, By which Sc cover up their SEN
suality.
| OF the ministers influence over the female mem
bers Of his church, which, as may we'll be
| supposed, is quite natural. The minister is
looked up to. especially by that class of his
| congregation, IS quite inca apable Of bas, act,
| and on that account. they throw themselves
| unwittingly many times within his power =
| There is no doubt, that many corrupt and
sensual men, seeing this controlling Influence
of clergymen over the aainds Of the tender
sex, have assumed the sacerdotal garb to facil-
itatc their licentioAs schemes Othcrs, nc
doubt, with horest purposes. but with weak
ness OF resolution, have brought disgrace ou
their pi ofession by unguardedly allowing them
selves to be placed alone with females not over
| fastidious guarded in their conversation OF
actions. The only remedy for this, now al
ready too prevalent an evil, il for ministers te
| distrust themselves, and never allow e female
to hold an interview without third person
present. 1t is aot enough that. forty-nine
| times IA Fifty, 20 wrong is either enacted o,
| contemplated at private interviews; the sac'
that wroag is sometimes done-that corrupt
and bad men abuse the license accorded tc
clergymen in their private conferences with
| women--should be conclusive. Ifevery clsr
gyman now ordained were absolutely uniu,.
peachable, it would still be wrong in them tc
do what would tempt hypoeritcs to enter the
ministry on purpose to enjoy special opporiu.
mites with females. The natural ascendency
of clergymen over the minds OF most women
the confidence generally.reposed in tbs minis
terial ofhce-in short, ell that gives to the in
tercourse of clergymen with their female par
ishoners freedom and familiarity which. ii
the case Of others, would cause scandal-im
perativsly requires that olergymen should pre-
scribe to themselves and insist on a csutio,
and reserve in this intercourse which mus
render sin Impossible and scandal Incredible