The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1868-06-10
Clerical Politicians.

Inc 1nEelllSenCcr, IOr more tnan nail
century, has esteemed it a privilege, as oc-
casions offered, to pay d tribute to the
clergy of America.
1t has never sympathized with some Of
our contemporaries in sneers at the profess
sion, because or the delinquencies Of an ex-
ceptional Judas, or an asslnine Cream
Cheese.
It has always taught that the ethics of
Christianity are applicable to all pursuits,
and that it is the province of the pulpit so
to preach on the first day as to make all
classes and conditions of men wiser and
happier dnring the remaining six days Of
the week. Nor is such an opinion incon-
sistent with thorough detestation of those
who would turn the House of God into a
place for money changers, or a recruiting
Office to secure voters for Presidential
candidate.
A day or two ago the following telegram
was flashed through the country with the
preamble and resolution Of the General
Conference of the Methodist Church, in ses.
sion at Chicago:
Whereas, there is now pending in the
Senate of the United States the most inn
portant question which has ever engaged
its attention; and whereas, the evidence
and pleadings in this case have been fully
spread before the people, so that all may
form an enlightened opinion; and whereas
we are deeply impressed that upon its
rightful decision will largely depend the
safety and prosperity Of our nation, as well
as the religions privileges of our ministers
and members in many parts Of the South;
and whereas, painful rumors are in circnla-
ton, that partly by unworthy jealousies,
and partly by corrupt influences, pecuniary
and otherwise, most actively employed.
efforts are being made to influence Senators
improperly, and to prevent them from per-
forming their high duty; therefore.
Resolved, That we hereby appoint an
hour of prayer, from 9 to 10 o'clock, A. NJ,
| tomorrow, to invoke humbly and earnestly
the mercy of God upon our nation, and be-
seech him to save our Senators from error,
and to SO influence them that their decision
shall be in truth and righteousness, and
shall increase the security and prosperity
of our beloved Union"
Such resolution, we are sure, every
candid mind will pronounce as out Of taste
and out of time, for we fear that the AMI
mus which led to its conception was not
such as to lead those who adopted it to
bow i'll submission to the Divine will. The
preamble is offensive to men, with its i'll
situations of corrupt influences acting on
Senators !. and who can say it was well
pleasing to the Infinite Mind9
Such ecclesiastical action, we think,
pains the spiritually minded, disgusts men
of the world, and excites the smiles Of the
party that it is supposed to benefit.
"Ne sutor ultra crepidam"-let not the
shoemaker go beyond his last-is an old
but safe rule. The clerical profession
should have no worldly aims; its sphere
is as far removed from that Of the politi'
clan as the heavens are from the earth
Life in the study, the sick room, the house
of prayer, seeludes from more active walks
and pupil Of the Bible class is often a
Gamaliel in political knowledge, at whose
feet the clcgymen may sit.
i The moment pastor sets himself up as
i teacher of the duty Of a congregation as t.
the political issues Of the day, (Which
change every hour,) the halo that seemed
to hover around his face when he used tx
preach about Jesus Christ and eternal prin
ciples is no longer visible; he is no Longer
valued as spiritual guide, though he may
be admired as partisan leader.
/ Ministers actuated by worldly motives il
the days of Charles the First attempted t.
lead the State, and produced civil war
and those who fed from persecution a
home erected another despotism, equal.
, heinous, by subordinating the State to tn
Church; and the Puritan theocraey in New
England soon rivalled the prelacy OF Oh
, England in par-clippings and cruel scourg
J ings. Christ, If we have been able to reat
r his teachings correctly, divorced the Stat
; from the Church, or the Church from TIL
, State, and every Christian patriot in fire.
, America views with just appreheusions tn
resolves Of political conventions pertaining
to matters spiritual, or Of ecclesiastical
bodies relatives to matters secular.
: LISA matter of just concern to ever.
lover Of civil and religious liberty tina
Bishop Simpson, or any other prominent et
' clesiastic, should feel it to he his duty t
] aid in procuring the conviction of th
. President for an alleged high crime; 0
that the New England, or any other cor
e ference, should feel ealled upon to recon
t mend to their people. certain candidate
i, for the Presidential chair.
AIS yet clerical politicians have not SUI
+ ceeded in inoculating their aocks with th
a virus that they carry, and it was retresi
d ing on Monday morning to listen to th
cheerful voices of hundreds Of childre
> honoring the President Of the Unite
.. States, and were shouting more hearth
than those schools in connection with I'll
body Of ministers at Chicago, who passe
y the preamble and resolution which "
= have quoted.