Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1858-02-12
Dcfrrrro articles.
aa For the Watohman
RELATION OF CLERGYMEN TO POLL
TICS


shall never do anything else but repeat that
Christ died FOR sinners and they may be saw
ed Or, to have this for his theme, and use
every commendablo means to bring them un-
der the influence of this Gospel All admit
that the farmer should call to his aid all he
can to fit him to prosecute his work honor
ably, efiecualy and proftably. The teach
ers business is TO instruct the youth placed
under his care, at a certain place, six hours
each day during the time he is Employed
Should he never do anything else lie ought
to travel visi. other institutions. labor and
study An artist will not only use his brush
and easel. but study other sciencies and arts,
visit other studios, that he may excel in his
work. So should the Clergyman do every
thing he possibly can to aid him best 20 pros
ecute his work-to do good, 70 save souls, to
religiously educate the world. If any portion
of his flock need instruction, he must impart
it if their lives are absorbed in any work
which is Improbable or dangerous he must
check it; if he see the sword Of the enemy
coming upon them, he must warn them to
fee. or teach how 20 resist and conquer. His
own happiness and safety, as well as thar Of
others. depend upon himself lie is suppos-
ed to be man of understanding, of knowl-
edge, wisdom and influence. He cannot live
to himself If he would. lie is a citizen.
member of society, and every thing which in
terests his neighbors, or the world, interests
him He is a part of society hence. any
thing which concerns that. concerns him. If
q nation prosper, So viii he if it be in adj
vorsity. so viii ne be- Much Of his success
depends upon the government under which
he lives. II the laws are good and based
upon correct principles, the greater will be
that success. Laws are the result OF political
operations hence their connections.
Some affirm that minister has no business
with politics. unless 90 cast his vote no
right in political meeting. except Town
Meeting and when excitement is great, bet
ter keep away from the polls.
Others say. If ne does not enter into these
things in good earnest. be either docs not
care for the interests of the nation, or is a.
fraid 60 "show himself Such are 10 be cast
out unless they attend every caucus and make
a speech. lie must be SCALED out
Much trouble has recently arisen because
some ministers have taken any position
in politics and because others would not
The usefulness of some has been nearly lost
on account of their activity in this cause
Some have been sought because of their
known position and because it harmonized
with the views and feelings Of leading spirits
in such place. Ii is sad fact that there
are places in this country where no minister
can be popular or but partially successful,
unless his political Uielcs harmonic with those
of leading men in the church. Some will
leave the house if he allude to any of the eX
citing topics of the day. and even the pulpit
be closed against him. They say to him,
"Thus far.' II he speak Of freedom from
sin. somc sigh, and conclude he must mean
20 refer to slavery as an Institution SO
it is of other evils Cases have come TO our
observation. when. because a minister had,
kindly but faithfully, from full and feeling
heart. preached against the sin of drunken
ness. where. unfortunately, some of the "load-
ing ones in the society indulgcd freely in the
use OF Intoxicating drinks and advocated it,
such a minister has been abused and SANDER
ed. and his support Withdrawn, and terrible
influence used 20 crush him-and too success
full lie is told that such a man is reyy pop
uiar. and he does not intermedde with other
peoples business. Your predecessor was a
faithful preacher, but IDS picfy would not al
low him TO leave the direct work of preach
ing Christ to dabblo with politics But it
would permit him to let church members
drink and sell Intoxicating drinks, and not
raise a note of alarm. VIII not the Master
say of such BRfahhfmP Such a preacher
may be popular. because he never "stirs up
the people but, mark, that mans "piay
will ever lead him TO pursue course which
will be sure and not disturb the repose Of his
"inRacptiar hearers. Hence his excuse for
"lctting all such topics alone is, 81 find G.
nough to engage my attention to do the work
Of o minister. and let politicians discuss such
subjects" But, despite of all such reasons,
something whispers in my car that the real,
honest reason is, he is afraid Of bis "popwdr-
iyN May Heaven save the ministers of
the Cross from the fearfully dangerous work
Of attempting to gain the applause of the
wicked by ''softening Gods truth, or by al
lowing such to slumber in security on the
verge of ruin.
This relation IS peculiar, get responsible.
We have touched no extremes, and we now
fcaressly state our conviction as to the posi-
ton Clergymen should occupy
Every minister has right to vote, and,
when practicable, should do so. And this
vote should be cast upon the right side-or
for that man or measures which, according to
the principle he teaches, will promote the best
good OF society and produce the greatest a
mount of happiness and usefulness Hence
he should be informed upon those subjects
connected with the nations welfare he
should learn the character, qualifications. be-
lief and practice of the men set up for office,
and act according to his sincere Judgment
Whether he should attend caucuses, political
gatherings, festivals, &c, would depend on
circumstances but generally, our opinion is,
he can do more good, and exert better in
huence, not to do it. We do not think it
commendablc that a minister should leave the
proper work of the pulpit for ''stump speech
making" but that he may, at proper times
deliver lectures upon the exciting topics of
the day, we admit. His work should be, by
theory and practice, to inculcate truths, by
instructing his hearers, privately and public
ly, upon great leading, correct principles. If
in view of the position of great leading par
ties, he sees that certain actions will result in
wrong conclusions, let him preach a sermon
well digested and arranged, always duoidinS
all political hardngue personal abuse, and al
tciD expressions, TOO commonly used by polite
tans--upon the condition of a nation govern
cd by correct principles, or viee versa; and
from sacred or proiane history, show how
righteousness exalts nation, and illustrate
the rise, progress and glory Of such, and th'
downfall of those nations which follow evil
am aware that "Rum" and "Slavery" ar'
so woven into politics at the nresent time