The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-12-02
Polite al Preachers.

The introduction Of politics into tho pull
pit has done more towards bringing religion
into disrcpute than all the labors Of all the
ncoffers, atheists, and inidels in the land.
The devil in the Church, disguised as the
political priest. has performed greater anti
religious services, during the last ten years
than oil the dcyils out Of il, great and small
with all their tcrrors Of horns, and hoois
and forked tails. There ia no subject which
40 exctcs and exasperatcs the American
mind AZ politics and many man. really
desiring 10 DO devou,. after listening to u
violent Political TRADE instead Of sermon,
has left his church damning his minister,
when he should have been praising his Gre
ator. The Political priest is without doubt
one Of the most artlully contrivcd instru.
men,s ever invented by the devil for leading
souls into perdltion. Aud the churches
are Al last beginning TO find this out. We
notice that at session OF the Detroit con.
ference Of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
lately held at YpsIlan,i. Michigan. the
question was fully discussed. and the prac-
ticc OF preachers mingling in politics severe
ly condemned. Resolutions were adopted
and ordered to be printed; copy of which
We publish, and commend 10 the considcra.
ton Of the political priests of this section
Resolved, That while the Christian ministers
arc authorized and required by the Word Of
God TO preach against all sin wherever found,
and In their civil relations should act up To the
full measure oi their responsibility as citizens,
yet our judgment 10 that II il entirely incon.
sistent with their vocation Tor them TO engage
In political matters in such a way and to sue
an extent ~ will GLASS them with political par.
taans
Rssoirsd. That a profession u devotion to
the work OF the ministry, and a restless desire
tor civil and political Office, are totally irreo
onsilablc; that while one Ia seeking Office
through the ordinary political msnruverngs Of
the day he can neither be in the spirit nor pro.
perry discharge the duties Of the ministry and
that We request every member Of this body
either to abstain from personal EFFORT. to pi o.
cure ONCE or to retire altogether from the Con.
ference.
Received. That, should any member Of this
body pledge the aid 81 Methodist ministers aud
the votes of Methodist members TO any party
OF candidate for Office, or should threaten the
displcasure'ef the Methodist public and the
withdrawal OF their Influence, IN case his pref
erences are not complied with, he would be
guilty Of high demeanor. and would merit
the ceusurc Of ihs Conference.
All the churches mus, square their conduc,
by the principles embodied in these resolu
tons, or they will be deserted by the in,ell,,
gent and really dcvout Christians who now
sustain them. and become convcntices for
the undevout rawlings Of the ignorant, the
bigoted, and the fanatical A failure 20
live up to their spr', has been one OF the
greatest evils which the Church has had 10
encounter OF late years Political harangucs
from the pulpit and elec,icucering by the
ministers in behalf OF the doctrines Of some
secular party has produced wide spread
alienation and disgust among the lai,v OF
their denominations 1t has lcsscncd the
neral Influence Of the clergy created the
impression that their interest was principally
IN secular matters, instead Of their holy reli-
g'on-that they cared more for party than
for christianity, and thus inddelity has pros
prrcd. During the fsxsosr campaign OF
1886, apor,iou Of the clergy was really in.
sane in his behalf, and turned their sacred
desks into political rostrums. The Michigan
Conitrcnce evidently have keen realization
Of the mischief which they caused, and its
members have shown manly and christian
heroism in placing the entire class under the
han OF their condemnation.