The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-08-25


countability for the use of the ballot. Indeed,
the old theory is generally abandoned, and
lower law dtvines, since their teachings led to
rebellion and civil war, are at discount.
Still, few clergymen and religious men seem
to recognize the fAct that the machinery OF
government in this country IL worked not so
mich at the polls as at the preliminary meet
eheir activities, or prepare to see all the ground
won by years of struggle fer higher standard
OF morals in politics, lost.
Upon which We remark, first, that if
Christ is any pattern or example for his
ministers to train by, they will fail to find
any warrant from his example for /" exert
ing their activities" at the primary meet
ings of politicians, or for preaching q
higher law" than the g lower law" of the
country he lived in, to decide even the
contest between liberty and slavery"
For even then it was an open question,
where He might well have meddled, If He
had only had the same piety and T" loilty"
which some OF His latter-day progressed
political ministers possess in 60 eminent q
degree. But to every invitation OF sug-
gestion that He had better turn aside from
His single mission of preaching the gospel
to every living c, eature and "sail in" on
one or the other side of some political
question, His invarisble answer was, "Ny
kingdom is not OF this world"
When asked il it was proper to pay TIL
butte to Caesar, his answer was, strender to
Caesar the things that are Osesars, and to
God the things that are Gods" How
non-oonmittal and neutral, and yet they
are the words Of the most decided charac-
ter the world has known in all matters of
religion. He took no sides in politics, but
always recommended obedience to "the
lower law, saying the powers that be
ere ordained of God, "&c.
Living in an aye and q country and un-
Ger g government recognizing and protect
i.ag slavery, and slavery Of q far more vir-
s.lent type than ours, as it gave the master
the power of life and death over his slave,
you search the New Testament in vain to
find word or a syllable of his in favor of
:" freedom, "or against slavery" Can it
be possible that he was q pro-slavery
preacher" copperhead," a " minion of
the slave power ~ Otherwise, why did
he not, like our Press " minister, !" " re-
cognize the obligation to instruct men
from the pulpit in regard to their political
responsibilities? and like him, exert his
activities in favor of universal free
DOM
The "old theory could hardly have been
abandoned - ti..n, as now, nor could
slower law divinee " have been at such a
discount then as now. By doing 90,
and by hurting hi anathamas from Sab
bath to Sabbarh against " slavery - and
"slave drivers, aud against the clover
law" which prot. lied this "sum of all
villainies, +" and it, aiders and abettors, he
might have excite. such political preju-
dices among those Sho differed with him.
as to endanger Ii mission as gospel
preacher, and neu ralize his influence =
but what of that, il ne could only forward
the cause of universal freedom? HUI
manity," not divinity" is the proper
study for ''divine-, and hence Christ.
l. =
working under old theory" and be-
ing slower vine, is greatly at a
discount un' he present regime Of
the Christian rel IN. And it is the duty
OF his ministers Low to "attend the pri-
mary meetings OF parties, I" and work ain
the interest Of God and humanity with
" ballots" since the "old theory OF
preaching the gospel . is played out and
no longer potent as lever for the worlds
conversion, and for forwarding all good
causes that follow in the train o. con-
verted world.
Now there are just two very great evils
to flow from this proposed mingling Of
politics and religion. First, the ipjuring of
politics; second, the injuring Of religion.
Politics are injured because the whole
theory OF our government opposes the
uuion Of church and state; and the iufu.
zion Of sectarian bigctry into politics
Dlust always end in hostile collisions be-
tween sects and all the old train of perse-
cutions, racks, thumb screws, fagots, and
civil wars TO which the history of the world
bears such bloody testimony.
Religion is injured because when its
holy orders cease to be 8. separste they
cease 70 be holy-tAe word "holy " mean
ing separate, and therefore they are no
longer the orsclee Of God, and God no
longer has holy religion in the world.
The sacredness of the Office Is secular;zed