The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-01-21
The Pulpit and Politics.


An article liz your paper of Thursday, en-
titled "Drifting towards Heathenism," con.
tains some remarks which was glad to see in
that connection. 1t is high time that the hate
full and pharisaical spirit which prompts these
filings should be shown in its true light. These
assaults upon clergymen, because they have
dared to show that they are men and patriots,
as well as ministers of the Gospel, are as base
In their origin as they are cowardly in their
character, and only intended to ipjure cause
against which no arguments can be brought,
by the blackguard resorts of defaming its ad-
voeates- But this subject of preaching pol
itics," has another aspect, on which desire
to say word. Many excellent and consci
entious people yet cherish tire fallacy that GER
tain topics intimately connected with the tenn
poral and eternal welfare of the human race,
are not proper to be discussed in the pulpit,
because they are political. Good and pious
people are panied that the holy stiffness and
peace of the sanctuary should be disturbed by
these agitating themes. But what would they
have? Doubtless it is good for the soul to
commune softly with G cd in His holy house."
but all of religious duty does not end here.
We need not merely to be refreshed and
soothed by religious services, but to be stirred
and quickened for the duties of the week.
All the arguments brought against political
sermons can, with equal force, be urged az ainst
all sermons. Strictly speaking they are no
part of public worship, though as an accesso
ry toit they are ofinestimabIe value. But mapy
excellent clergymen, having the cause of God
genuinely atheart, do greatly circumscribe their
own field of usefulness by sharing in this fall
lacy OF which have spoken. They have tax
en- for their guide the words of the apostle.
"For I determined to know NOTHING save
Christ and Him crueifed," but their inter-
probation of the text is so narrow as to d.
vest their preaching Of the distinguishing
characteristic of the religion of Christ. F,r
the practical duties which Christ most incuI.
Gated, which he spent his life in enforcing
are those which we owe to our fellow men
The great doctrines Of Humanity, the princi-
pies Of Justice, Mercy and Universal Brother
hood, Che practice in all social relations of
that beautiful and comprehensive law which
we call the "golden rule" these are topics
which must inevitably lead into this dreaded
field Of politics, and yet how can they preach
Christ, and overlook these principles which
are the basis of all which Christ taught I?
When they refuse to see the truths he taught
do they not deny Him as truly as ever did the
Jews? When they ignore the eternal princ-
pies for which He gave Himself sacrifice do
they not cruelty Him anew? MANY timid
souls are afraid to trust the working of great
truths. They are afraid of the discords which
may grow out of their discussion. But of what
value are peace and harmony when bought at
the price of the souls best life; and how, in
Gods name, is the truth to 'have free course,
run and be glorifed," if we are afraid to talk
about It? 19sl o5l ..s . ts2 {si
2 We cannot too soon Danish this strange
dread of sinking up politics and religion. y
By all means, let them be mixed. Our church
es will not be injured by the infusion of more Of
the vital element of brotherhood and practical
philanthropy. We need more politics ia our
religion; for politics, In the best sense Of the
word is the science which teaches how 10 Sc
cure to men in the mass the largest possible
enjoyment Of liberty and justice. And, GER
tainly we need more religion in our politics.
Because politicians have chosen to forget
eod's law, the whole land weeps under the
chastisement by which He is recalling it to
our recollection. If the clergy who are the
ministers at Christ's altar, the expcunders of
-Christ's law, would take thought of this mat
ter, II instead of turning away from politics
as from something too impure for them to
mingle in, they would labor to infuse into it
more of the spirit of their Divine Master,
they would find those seething and turbid wa
tiers growing still and pure, even as Galiee
grew calm beneath His footsteps. &.
EPSILON.