The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1867-06-06
= Preachers and Politics.

= Preachers and Politics.
We have great reverence for the call
ing of the minister, but we do not be-
lieve all are called who essay to preach.
We believe there has always been, is,
and will always be, fanaticism in the
church. There is no sentiment in the
human bosom which ambition will not,
if the ruling passion, oxtinguish. Men
become preachers very often, as the re-
suit of finordinate ambition. Some Of
these may work themselves into the be-
lief that they are called, by the will of
God, to fill the pulpit, and we have no
doubt but that many who work them
selves into this belief will miss, them
selves, the glorious future state they
urge Others to strive for. Many men
feel that God has called them to preach,
just as'the politician feels, very often,
that his party, is the better party. God
has vouchsafed no superior foresight
to the preacher. He is the offspring
Of fallen man, just as others ars. He
is alike subject to the ebullitions Of
passion, and we have no doubt that
preachers, as a class, will realize more
fully than any other class, the truth Of
the divine assertion that where many
are called, but few will be chosen. The
preacher is an orator before the public,
just rs the politician is, with this differ
ence-the politician is not SO often ac-
tuated bya desire for public benefit,
except as means for self-aggrandize-
ment. And he is less of q fanatic than
the preacher, because he does not, in
every instance, work his views into q
belief that it is the voice of God within
him. He does not silence the "still
small voice Of conscience" with the be-
lief that his extremes, his fanatical no.
tons, are the result Of the Divine Spirit
at work upon him. lie knows the fall
lbility ofhuman nature, and rccogni-
zes the infallibility of jehovah, hence
il he attributed his idiosyncracics to
the workings Of the infallible spirit Of
God, he would be a fanatic, but failing
to do this, he is open to conviction
Therefore, we beg to be saved from the
religious fanatics. They are the ones
who went upon the Crusadcs, and mur-
dering helpless infants at their moth
ers' breasts, and disregarding the ap-
peals OF women and men, rushed to the
Holy Temple, with their hands all
rocking with blood, and bending upon
their knees, thanked God for the sac.
cess of their efforts. Believing that
God operates directly upon their minds,
they are ready to accept the human
passions Of revenge and outrage as
Gods will, and since God cannot com
promise with sin, they are first to Sc
cade from those wlo oppose them. In
politics the preacher or churchman is
less disposed to compromise, for poll
cy, even if peace be the object in view,
is not to be weighed against the calls Of
ProvideRce. 1t is needless for us to 60
back to ancient or modern history to
examine and prove the truth of what
we have a5serted--to prove that the
bloodiest wars and greatest commo-
tons are due to religious agitation. Ev-
cry reading man knows we speak from
historical facts. And this palpable fact
was the cause Of our American legisla-
tors disconnecting Church and State,
for there seems to be an irrepressiblc
antagonism between the two, human
nature entering into both, but acting
from antagonistic standpoints.
Yet, withal, we reverence the calling
of the minister, and we sit i'll silence
and commcndation and hear his appeals
to man to prepare for Heaven. We
hear with conviction his fearful descrip-
ton of tic future of the sinner, even
while we know that many Of his own
flock should feel rs much alarm as the
ycricst sinner in the sound Of his voice.
and we can but wonder that the church
should allow taiM to cover up so much
sinful action. .'-..I
Now, we believe that carrying De
mocracy into Bhurch is just as proper
as for the Church to send Church into
democracy. 1.-THE Church allows its
ministers to dabble in politics, politi
clans may very reasonably criticisc the
action of the Church. And, withoutin'
tending any reflection upon .lIe true
churchman, or minister, the politician
cnn defend himself, and in his defence
can giyca rebukc to the Church in gen
eral for allowing its ministers to leave
their proper places in order to obey thu
promptings of political excitement.
Martin RoddaD was preacher il
America during the war of the Rcyolu
i finn and h. n, % lfinrr trifl