Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1874-06-12
Preachers as Public Guardi ans.

1t is not enough for ministers Of the gospel
to cater for sleepy audience every Sabbath
taking care not to disturb any members in
/ A1on. They are TO be wstchmep TO guard
| every holy and vital interest Of community.
Even the work Of statesmen should be suhee,
to the scrutiny and proper criticism of the minr
lister Of Christ. Whenever any iniquitious
measure ia about to be imposed upon the com
munity, the ministers Of the gosI ell should
unite their efforts to defent il, aud nip the evil
10 tho bud Ii a bad law is passed, they should
seek its overthrow. Never, however, should
they operate ia any other capacity than as
min steps, set for the defense OF the gospel.
Lately In the city Of Cincinnatf, ths, clergy
set theselves against proposed ordinan Of
iniquity and defeated its passage. They hnrl-
ed at its author the fearful denaneiA OF the
Holy Bible, sad made the fpameps Of iniqnity
tremole and retreat. Fpom theiv pulPits some
OF them arrou sed the people by proper pre-
sentation Of the matter, and q torrent Of public
sentiment not TO be stemmed by the city rulers
swept all before il.
The prophet represents Gods watchmeu who
are indifferent about the gsed Of the people as
dumb dogs, that cannot bark" The hsy dog
is IL type Of trih< z ministers This animal
In his old and declIng days lies around the door
OF his master, and is of no worth to the prem
lses. Even younger ones often prove to be
utterly worthless, never barking shGBply and
angrily to drive away aBgooasiiug distupbers.
They are always ready, however, for their
crumbs and refuse, and exhibit no little activity
iS Bearing of every surplus bone and burying
it for future use.
The preacher that disclaims all interest in
the laws under which he lives, because il is his
business to preach the gospel, must be set
down as having crotchet, or as, very dull .
He has very bungled idea Of what the gospel
con,emplstes. He NAV do mach gsOd bui il
all his brethren in the ministry were like him
he hrf tRntfg nE NI..f- IL
be ruled oct as e&te ard aseless.
The man that assumes b. assign the minister
his place, telling him that he has no. bas mess
to me- ddle IN politics as ie H. his calling to
preach the gospel Is n W h0 has very little
regard E"T the gospel and Dies aOt regulate his
lie mach by its precepts. He is a busy body
yn other mems matters and does not attend very
we'll to his own affairs. d would be well for
him to show his authority for teaching naen
how IN administer sacred things.
G0d has always used his servants to warn
kings ana rulers, to rsbAke them TO iuveigh
against their anhoHy laws and administration
~ aehHs, and to teach them the will Of God
concerning hanaa government. The prophets
SeIc sent tO rulers ~ instruct them from GOD.
No wicked laws in their days were left un-
condemned. The gospel diSpeusation has not
differed 81 EssSeh ir0n the old that its ministers
are to be m,lte, nne0neev ned sAbiects Of wicked
government. As God il The head of all human
governments, his RiDisteTs are properly inter
ested in matters per etttiHiRE TO laws.
When VIII isky sellers meet in eOnVenti0n aud
resolve that in this country they live not un-
der theocTacy bat uAder a republican form
OF government, il is a piece of presumpii1n
rather Startling. And why did thev make this
assertion. Because they were disturbed in
their guilty traffic by the prayers OF Gods peo
pie, women living aud acting under the gospel
disptnsation which is proclaimed by an ordain.
hnv tult l,,,L
after the laws Of this country pertaining TO the
liquor tatfc, and they have right to encourage
holy women or men to pray wherever Is
proper for the decay OF so foal business.
They have right to examine the iunda-
mental laws Of the eOHntTy. to see how far
they are based 0pOn the bible, how much they
recognise God. aud hOW faB they BeeOR aiEe
Christianity. II Ssdges IN the civil eomts rule
that religion IN the euustitutiOn Of state means
any EelIg OB, wheK It is clear TO any mind that
tas men who inserted il meant the CArktinns,
It's then high time that mini sters OF the gospel
oi Christ insist tina, the word be deGned By the
proper qualifying term,
This determined eff'rt on the part OF unbe-
levers aud quasi Christians 10 strike every
vsstige OF Christianity fSou our principal
laws, calls for the watchsen to be keeSly on
the alert to save the basis Of the state from be.
coming groundwork Of antiehrist.
The uatnIster Of Christ is not called to min.
lister to the enrrapt tastes aud views Of the in
dlneres't npon the perpetnty Of the gospel.
There are many who care little whether Chris
llaniiy survives or perishss, who tbiak they love
God and are on their way Go heayen. They
would Judas-like, sell Christ for money power,
or even the opinion Of mortals.. II Christ is not
defeuded I'LL they enlist in his defense, he will
be Ignored aud cast awAv. So the minister
must do more than please these He must took
after al the demands Of the kingdom of Christ
and be interested in all affairs OF society aud
state.-Reitgio1s TRcscors.