The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1866-11-28
Thomas Jefferson on Pulpi t
gl rOlitics.

We find in one ofSour exchanges re-
publication Of the following letter from
THOMAS JEFFERSON, written in 1915, in
which that profound philosopher and
statesman gives bis views Of an abuse
which has since hSsb,sl scandal to the
churches Of the country, viz the discus.
sion of partisan politics in the pulpit. 1t
is to be regretted that the Reverend clef.
gy addicted to this abuse Of their ghostly
functions, cannot be induced to read and
pouder the observations Of agreati man,
whose opinions on any subject, are enti.
tied to the highest consideration.
We call the attention of some Of the
Reverend political hucksters her eabCuts,
to the letter, and trust that careful ps-
.usal of tho same may result in an i'm.
provement of the matter and subject Of
their discourses hereafter:
MIR. JEFFERSON TO MR.. wENDovER.
MONTICELLO, March l3, 1915.
SIR. On one question only differ
from him, and it is that which constitutes
the subject of his discourse-the right of
discussion of public affairs in the pulpit |
add The last words because l admit the
right in general conversation and in
writing, in which last form it has been
exercised in the admirable book you have
now favored me with.
The mass of human concerns, moral
and physical, is so vast, the fiel1of knowl-
edge requisite for man to conduct them to
the best advantage is so extensive, that
no human being can acquire the whole
himself, and much less in the degree nee,
essary for the Instruction OF others. 1t
has Of necessity thea been distributed in.
to different departments, each of which,
singly may give occupation enough TO
the whole time and attention Of a single
individual. Thus wo have teachers of
languages, teachers of mathematics, Of
natural philosophy, of chemistry, of med
icine, of law, Of history, Of government,
etc. Religion, t5o, isl separate deptShl
partment, and happens to be, too, the on
iy one deemed reluisiys far all men, ,.irow.
ovcr high or low. Collections of men
associates together under the name of as.
sociations, and employ a religious teacher
of the particular sect or opinion of which
they happen to be, aud cOntribate to make
up stipend as a compensation for the
trouble Of delivering them at such periods11
as they agree on. lessons in the religion
they profess. Iftbey want instruction in
in .other science and arts they apply to
other instructors, and this is generally
the business Of early life. But suppose
there is not single instance Of congre.
cation which has employed their preacher
for the mixed purpose of lecturing them
from the pulpit in chemistry in medicine,
in the sciences and principles of govern.
went, or iu anything but religion cxOlu'
sively Whenever, therefore, preachers,
instead of lesson in religion, pu, them
off with discourse on the Copernican
ays,em, On chemical affinites, on tho con.
Struclion Of government or conduct of
those administering it, it is a breach of
contract dcpriving their audience of the
kind of service for which they a,o salaried
and giving them instead of what they did
not W ut, or if wanted would rather seek
from better scourscs in that particular ar
CT science. In choosing our pastor, we look
to religious qualifications, without inquir.
log into his physical or political dogmas,
whith which we mean to have nothing to
do. am aware that arguments may be,
found which may twist a thread Of poll.
tics into the cord Of religious duties So
may they for every other branch of hu.
man srt or science. g..
Thus, for example, 1t is a religious duty
to obcy the laws Of our country the teach.
er of religion, therefore, must instruct
us in those laws, that we may know how
to obey them. 1t is q religious duty to
assist our sick neighbers /; the preacher
must, therefore, teach us medicine, that
wc may do it uudefstandingly. 1t is
religious duty to preserve our health; our
religious teacher, then, must tell us what
dishes are wholesome, and give us recipes
for cookery, that we may know how to
prepare them. And so inpenrlitv. bv