The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-12-23

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Some discussion III arisen out Il the
action Of : Prssbytssian Synod in Phila-
dslphia, proposing to Alter the Constita-
ton Of the United States q q to make it
recognize In form the distinctive tenets Of
orthodoxy. OF course . proposition of
this character meets with prompt resis-
tance from large class Of citizens who
have sought an asylum in this country
from religious persecution, under the am
pie guarantee Of the Constitution. The
Jew, the Deist, the Quaker and the Uni
tartan al find, weighty and serious objec-
tons to . proposition involving serious
consequences to themselves, It Is not at
all remarkable that discussion.of this
character should be confined exclusively to
Republican newspapers, The centra)izing
and monarchical tendency of Republican
doctrines, are quite as apt to embrace in
their logical results the unity Of church
and state, as the propriety of preaching
politics in the pulpit. If the cause of re-
ligion languishes; if public and private
morality are on the decline; we think it
is not difficult to trace the cause of such
deplorable results to the action and exam
pie of the great body Of professedly Christ
ian ministers, who, placed as watcbmen
upon the walls of Zion, have neglected
their calling and their duties, and desc
Grated their high Office by unworthy ap-
peals to the political passions of men. The
duty of the Christian minister is clearly
determined by the character of his calling.
He is set to watch for the souls of men.
His master is our common Saviour. His
calling is to preach Christ and Him cruel.
fed. Every layman when he walks into
the church on Sabbath morning and seats
himself in his pew, leaves behind him the
worldly cares and political excitements of
the week, and desires to be refreshed
and invigorated for bis coming duties by
sacred appeals to the best interests of his
immortal soul. The minister who fails to
do this, we regard as not only false to bis
Christian calling, but neglectful Of his
flock; and the conservative press Of this
country cannot denounce with sufficient
emphasis that portion of the ministry who
cast reproach upon the life and doctrines
of our blessed Saviour by substituting for
them the life and doctrine of their own evil
devising. Assuming that it is the duty of
the Christian minister to extend his inhu-
ence in every legitimate way, it is proper
for US to inquire how he can expect to &C.
complish such purpose by preaching upon
subject which naturally tends to divide
his congregation, and drive a portion of
his hearers into churches from whose pull
pits the subject Of politics is justly exclud-
eds Does he expect to save souls by cur
failing his own influence. If we attend
church asking for fish, are we expected
to remain satisfied when the minister puts
US off with stone2 These questions all
admit Of negative answer. We may as
well hope to gather grapes from thorns, or
figs from thistles, as to gather the fruits Of
Christianity from the dry stalk of polit-
ical sermon. When the clergy as individ-
uals cease to meddls with politics, and as
a body ceases to interfere with the State,
we shall begin to look for an exhibition of
that spiritual power and influence which
legimately belongs to the priestly Office.