M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1860-03-15
Political CIergynen.

IL VIII Oe observer tnat q consider.
able proportion Of the speakers at the
recent meeting Of the friends OF Italy
iu New York were clergymen. This
10 BY no means solitary example,
Every one who keeps his eyes upon
what is going on around him must 70.
tce the increasing disposition OF cler,
gymen TO take part in secular move.
lnents and secular agitations. There
are certain ministers of the gospel in
the city of New York, for instance -
We need not mention their nalnes,--
ono or more Of whom are certain to be
found at every public meeting for sec.
uiar objects which affords an opportu.
nifty to talk on any one of the fruitful
subjects comprehended under the
words liberty, humanity, progress,
and the rights Of man. We know
with what ardor q considerable pro.
portion of the clergymen in the free
States flung themselves in the last
Presidential contest on the side OF
Col. Fremont,-how many of them
actually took the stump in his behalf,
and others converted their pulpits in
to stnmps, and how, by an easy an
convenient process Of logic, they rea
soned themselves into the assu ance
that the duty oivoting for the iavorte
candidate was as imperative as the
obligation to fear God and keep bic
commandments.
We are not disposed to lay down q
very rigid rule for the government OF
the clergy in this regard. We need
not be told that clergyman does not
cease to be man and citizen in as
suming the duties OF the sacred desk.
We readily accord to them a reasona-
bic latitude, both in the expression Of
opinion aud in conduct. But it may
we'll be asked whether, in view Of the
peculiar sphere of influence and action
in which the clergy move, it is not well
for them to lay down for themselves
a law OF self denial in the use of po.
litcal excitements; and also whether,
in point OF fact, the tendency Of the
clergy to share in political agimtions
is not increasing and ought not to be
diminished.
There is something very fascina.
ling in the strong excitements OF poll,
lies, We doubt not; especially to such
,lergymen as have not assumed their
'acred functions from the highest mo,
ives, and whose kingdom is OF this
world. There is something very in.
oxicatiDg in popular applause. A
political caucus, all ablaze with gas,
nd responding with shouts of ap.
olause TO the cheapest rhetorical ii.
AIDES, is much more exciting than a
small audience sleepily nodding over
. duh sermon. But al! things are
bought with a price. Whatever a
clergyman gains in political consider
,tion he loses ir the just influence Of
lis proper calling, Nor can we Won
Ter at this, for his interest in things
ipiritual and sacred must diminish as
lis interest in things secular and pro.
ane increases. lie will not preach
nth much unction and tervor on Sun.
lay if his head be full Of the speech
10 expects to make at the Monday
lights caucus. And the loudest and
hottest applause OF party is Of little
'alue compared with the afcctionate
eyerence with which a congregation
egards faithful and devoted preach,
II and pastor. 1t is very certain that
be appropriate themes Of the pulpit
ire such as address themselves with
'qual force to all men, whatever be
heir politica! opinions, whether wings,
" democrats, republicans or native
Americans. We certainly think that
he interests Of religion would suffer,
nd that the interest Of government
'Ould not gam, fittings cameto such
pass that parishes and congrega,
ions should be as homogeneous in
heir political convictions as they are
their theological opinions. 1t is to Q
8 a touching sight to sec men who '
iffer on the most exciting secular top.
&c kneeling at the same altar, join. t
,g in common worship, and re. ,
Giving the bread Of life from the same {
ands. II the clergy do not see and I
'al this,--if they do not shape their t
curse accordingly,-it seems to us s
nat they have very mistaken notion i
their duties aud calling.--BOstOn 7
'ourier. +