The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1877-12-13
PULPIT POLITICS AGAIN.
Editor Of the Democrats Press -

Editor Of the Democrats Press =
DEAR S1R-I will feel under obli-
cations to you for small space in your
paper, to say a few words to your
readers and to {" Back. Seat" on his
"Pulpit Politics" diatribe, in your last
issue. was one OF the hearers Of that
discourse, and of course, cne whom
Back Seat" addresses. After having
read, and reread his article l feel it a
duty 10 your readers, to !" Back Seat. +"
and to myself, that should give my
impressions of that sermon. and also
of Back Seats" diatribe. will say
here, so that my position may not be
misunderstood, that it has been mat :
ter of thought with me for years, how
the Clerical profession could do their
duty, and not speak on the moral as
pect or many political questions. My
theory is this: Our civil institutions
are supposed to emanate, or to be
based on inculcations from the Bible.
Its superstructure is built on that base,
and is supposed to have Right, Justice,
Mercy, Truth; Love, and such attri-
butes as its pillars. Now, if laws are
made, crimes committed, wrongs per-
petrated, in the name of civil law,
/ contravening those emanations of di-
vine law, pray tell us, whose duty, any
more than our moral teachers, to point
| them out, and as their whole lives are
given to the study Of the Bible and its
teachings, are they not as well, or bet
ter qualified to speak intelligently. on
these questions, as others? !? In word,
hold to this axiom: Religion should
never be so good as to deprive or unfit
it's possessor from exercising the du-
ties, rights and privileges of a citizen
of this Republic. And on the contrary +:
The duties, rights, and privileges of a
citizen of this republic should never
be SO bad but that good men can exer.
else and enjoy them. And anything
and everything gcontravening the axiom
should have the combined assistance
of all good men to send it to that polit.
ical cess poop' ''Back Seat" speaks 8
about, or send 1t to the ID. whence it
emanated, and where it more properly
belongs. That whenever you depart
from this axiom and say that Religion
and Politics are aud ought to be sep.
arated, you take the civil government
out of the hands of the good and place
it in the hands of the bad, and as a re-
suit you have bad religion and bad
government. For that relig Nom which
dare not meddle in politics looses much
of it power in bettering mankind, and
a corrupt and bad government is al
most beyond the pale of religious in
flueDce. Hence, l look upon the cry
of Pulpit Politics" as coming from
thoughtless citizen or designing, DIS
honest, corrupt political demagogue
1t is true there is time and a place
for everything, and think time and
a place for preacher to preach poll
tics. The sermon I listened to on
Thanksgiving day, as nearly as 1 can
call to mind at present, was a carefully
prepared resume of our country, its
the blessings and comforts
we enjoy and the thank fulness we
should render to God for these bless
ings. These were stated in his exor-
ainm. The speaker then said he would
depart from the ordinary custom on
such occasions, of looking and speak
ing of our blessings and enjoyments,
to one not SO pleasant to behold. That
be. and not he alone, but he found
others were of the same opinion, that
there were lowering clouds lowering
over us. and dangers in our midst that
in future might destroy our to-day |
blessed institutions. That if he was |
going to choose a text, it would be
like this: !" The nation that
Forgets God shall die" The speaker
hen proceeded to point out what he
thought were the dangers threat cning
Is as people, which he portray yed in
! graphic manner. l saw nothing
wrong in this, but, on the contrary,
hought he was doing his double duly,
irst as moral teacher; and second as
IN American gentleman. Who sees
md points to dangers, that surround
'ou is your true friend. Who points
O dangers threatening our Institutions
9 not an enemy to those institutions,
That there are dangers in our midst,
nd that we are gathering the elements
# premature destruction, 1 fear;
hat our end is certain have no doubt.
Ill history is pregnant with the tact
hat nations like individuals di rAf
igher on the scale of civilization de-
hands our utmost and constant vigi
lnce. "Eterual vigilance is the price
f liberty" But to return. In pass
lg out of the church, | remarked to 4,
lend that this was the best Thanks |
living sermon ever heard. You will !.
nagine my surprise and astonish-
lent at reading "Back S eats" discourse
n that sermon. l was astonished! l
lad it over the second time. l then
1t Indignant! yes, insu!ted and indig-
ant that any one should haye the
merity to address such an article to
lose who heard that sermon. l read
over the third time, and the convic-
on came upon me that it was my
lty 10 give my impressions Of the :
r,nOu oON olcC nf URacE Soot'SO dio
ibe. Now, with all the charity l
,ssess must characterize the article
Back Seat" as malevOlent peryer-