Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1878-04-19
PREACHERS AND POLITICS
ANNAPOLIS. Anril lhih. 1919

A'S'fS"Nto Nhh OiiiiSs vi VI PIT
Politics. If any gentleman desire il, Judging
from the brilliant display of brain work con-
iained in the last issue of your contemporary
Indeed, fear the Two gentlemen in dealing
with this delicate and very important subject
nave, as Gid well-known citizens of this
county at our "historic old halls" got things
little mixed" when they intimate that
political feeling or personal animosty prompted
me to penning my late letter. The fact Of
the rapid approach of our Congressional
nominating campaign" occurring nearly at
the same time with the date of my epistolary
remarks affords concurrence of circum-
stances for which do not feel compelled to
hold myself, in the leastwise, responsible
Something, YOU will observe, like the dislin-
gnished lrshman whose gun was discharged
into The ranks Of The enemy, he holding him
self free from the disasters of the explosion
but very properly attaching all responsibility
upon the uncalled for, premeditated and in
sanitary approach of the adversary. In view
OF this fact, all aspersions 10 the contrary
Notwithstanding, can deal with this subject
with that grace which my extreme delicacy
and sensi)ility would not otherwise permit
Allow me then TO state that all gentlemen in
your county spoken Of as probable candidates
TOR our next Congress are as highly esteemed
by me as by the incensed correspondents of
the Adoocdte. The fact of one of these gen.
iiemen being occasionally called uDon hen
amid the din and hustle OF the busy ihrong,
10 step up into the pulpit to administer to the
wants of those religiously inclined, does not
detract one jot nor title from the estimate
have placed up him, and | tower as much
above the erroneous charge Of holding him
up ms "defnite mark' in my general obser-
vntions upon class of persons untitled in
every way for political life, as the lofty bird
we call the eagle towers above the hooting
owl, the puking buzzard or the fitting
bat, y am growing eloquent y and were the
proposed sixteenth amendment ingrafted in
our American Constitution, no one more
cheerfully than !, If it were as highly rever-
enced as that important document beginning
''When in the course of human events, &c, /"
would rally TO the support of my party's
choice on election day
It is with feelings of profound regret that
enter upon the painful duty of expressing my
6isapprobation of ministers in political life,
but being one of those who believe "Laymen
have leave to dance, if parsons play" cannot
but think that the little religion may have
is strengthened rather than weakened by pur-
suing such course. To leave a matter of
this sort undiscussed is to perpetuate an evil,
by the neglect to impart instruction upon the
noble ends of the ministerial profession. To
hold up any one as an object of opprobrium
without being restrained by the rules of well
regulated society, which is intimately asso-
ciated with degree Of delicacy, is to increase
the evil by operating upon the feelings and
passions Of friends.
A reform must arise from a proper idea of
revealed religion and check upon its evil
tendencies must be made by an enlightened
and christian peopc No one can but admit
that the ends sought after by the minister and
the nOliIcinn arp ae far ramnvad each
other in every way as things spiritual are from
things temporal. The one keeping in view a
nobler aud higher destiny for his felowman
than what selfish ends and political interests
give birth TO his heart, mind, body and soul!
are so bent upon the enjoyment CT future
life by poor, frail, sinful man, that no earthly
emolument could force him to forsake things
eternal for things that come and go as the morn
ing dew. The other ever on the alert for the
empty honors and heetng titles of this world
il is as impossible to maintain inviolable sim
cerity of purpose, purity Of intention or any
of the chief characteristics of devout fol-
lower of the Lamb of God, in stepping dJwn from
the pulpit to participate in the comparatively
Glow and miserable intrigues, underhand and
decetful workings, contemplate and infamous
treason" of political life as not 10 exempt the
Apostles from a desire of temporal place or
power, obtained in the turbulency of the
times rather by force than persuasion, thus
inviting greater speculations and intrigue,
then more congenial'to the spirit of the people
than are extended TO the boosted patriot of to-
day. If a preacher be devoted to his calling, he
confines himself strictly TO its pursuits If be
be not devoted to his calling, it were better
that a milestone were hanged about his neck
and he be cast into the bottom Of the sea. No
true preacher becomes involved in things out
side of his profession, aud history is not re-
plete with instances where one has stepped
doecn from the pulpit in search political pow
err, unless for the support and peTpetuity Of
of spiritual power. am aware that the late
Pope, as did the long list of his predecessors
from away back in the fourth century, sought
after and acquired temporal dominion but it
is necessary, before we compare The thirst of
.the political preacher OF the period to The tenn
poral power Of the sovereign Ponliffs, to inquire
into the means that compelled them TO seek
that power, and whether or not it has been
used TO their own personal ACKNOWLEDGMENT.
After three hundred years of trials and rer-
secutions, about which there can be no religi-
Gus difference, the temples of worship often
times serving as tombs for the dead, Coustan-
tine gave to the Church tracts of land and con-
siderable sums of money thereby establishing
religion upon a firmtr basis and assisting in
its propagation After while his seat of
WIS TtnOVtu lTOUi hOH1t W COuStdutl-
nople, thus leaving the Christians to the mer-.
cies of the hordes of Goths, Huns and Van
dals in the North. Again in the eighth CEN
fury Leo lsauricus, one OF Canstaniine's sue
cessors, endeavored TO overthrow bv heather
.ism and brute force the established and recog-
nized religion. OF this usurpation of spirit
ual jurisdiction, saws a late bishop "a civil
ruler dabbling in religion is as repreheusble
MS clergyman dabbling in politics." So there
can be no doubt from the trials, obstacles aud
prosecutions of the faithful while Christianity
was in its infancy that the temporal power,
talked of by my friends was only sought af-
ter for the protection and perpetuiiy of spirit
ual power. The Roman Catholic church still
maintains the doctrine that temporal power is
| essential 10 and is the essence of spiritual
| jurisdiction. It's head Is at Rome. In the
event OF war now threatening Europe there
is one spot on earth it can call its own. where
| 1t will be secure from the invasion of its enc
mics Destroy that temporal Papal power,
and Rome, (ihe world agrees with mel like
Washington were the capital removed would
sink iuto obscurity and oblivion. 1t is unfair
to compare the political ambition OF an Amer
ican preacher to the pious and Christian men
OF The past who sought temporal power and
political place for the sole purpose of advanc-
| ing the interest o: religion
the progress of the age, the customs Of the
people the supreme reign of happiness, peace
and prosperity throughout this broad and
beautiful land furnishes suitable standpoint
from which we can judge OF man who steps
dozen from the pulpit to become involved "in
the comparatively low and miserable intrgues
of political life"
II is said that this is religious question;
that II brings down censure upon a religious
hock for permitting its shepherd TO enter in to
the siriies OF political contests with the hope
Of bearing off the honors il can beslow.
With this have nothing to do, and would