Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1878-05-24
PULPIT AND POLITICS.

We believe Christianity and patriotism are
compatible, but we file an objection against all
preachers who SO far forget the importance of
their calling, the responsibility both of speech
and example Of their position, and the ex-
ample Of their Master as to indulge in such
political vulgarity, veneered by quasi religion
and made passably decent by being held in
church and in lieu of divine worship, as was
exhibited on Sunday last by Ri. Rev. Bishop
Haven at the Metropolitan church 10 WASH
ington in his memorial sermon over the MUIR
der of the Chisolm family in Mississippi on
Aprile29, III. His congregation, which was
composed Of Radical otIice-holders and rela-
hyes of the fsmiy, was altogether a sympa-
thetic one, and manifested its appreciation of
the reverend gsntlemans politico-reigious
fanatcism, which was of the unalloyed bloody
shirt order, by frequent and boisterous ap-
plause. This 10 the same political apostle
who some time since urged Grants claim for a
third term in special sermon.
We take exception to all sermons of the
character Of Bishop Haven's. Its spirit was
relentless in its wild denunciatfon, uncharita-
BILE in its commentator upon the affair and
altogether unlike to that soft speech which
turneth aside wrath ard unlike following of
that command which urges US to forgiveness.
He played entirely upon the coarser feelings OF
his congregation by stating that force was the
only means with which such outrages against
the heaveu-born Radical party could be put
down,and By using the most Incorporate
language with which TO excite their hatred
and revenge, instead Of pouring religions
soothing balm upon their wounded affections.
ave sigh for the verifcation of the seal Of
Bassachusetts--an uplifted arm holding a
sword which alone gives peace and quiet I'M
der liberty. " . This family group are MR.
fyrs TO American equality of rights, to The
Declaration Of independence and the preamble
Of the constitution, !" and he might have added
the bloody shirt doctrine aud the other high
moral ideas of the Republican party. These
two are among his most liberal sentences. The
FIRST shows more Of brute than anything else,
nuN sbS iossSt ouO"o INV tuSl " IN 10 UeCOme
martyr 10 the estimation of those people
who think their morals so pure and well es-
tablished as to be able to preach and live the
Gospel and 10 rur nation at the same time.
With such examples as the above to awaken
eur disgust and even disrespect we can bu,
reafiirm our conviction that the callings Of
preacher and politician are widely different
and altogether separated ia their prosecu ton
The restrictions of the one will not assimilat,
with the abuses Of the other. and when the,
are brought together they meet in a disorderet
mixture where charity is brought In contac
with persecution, where prejudice is mistake,
for principle, where liberation is beaten dow,
by biRotry, where kind and modest speech /
drowned In the insane and incorporate erie
Of the mob, ADD where action prompted b.
honest conviction is sneered at by policy 40,
subtle and willy intrigue.
A man who takes the Bible and life Of Chris
rs his guide, and preteuds 10 take such intsres
10 bis race as TO devote his life to shown
them the same upright course has no right ,
yield TO his baser feelings Of prejudice an
revenge at the expense Of the souls Of hi
eongr CATION. Let conventions nominal
Presidents and the people make them LEI ih
laws judge crime and lei the agents Of tn
law carry the sentence into effect; but Sgain,
q rsn;ing, political, dabbling and iniemperai
preacher, we beg 10 be allowed ''if not incon
Sisieni with the liberty Of the press and devo
ton to the Individual" to express our whole
some abhonpes and disapprobation.
Bishp Harsn hires in Georgia and 4
mol a candidate for congrsss from ne Sat
coHgreasienoi Disfria q Maryland nor has II
sHy connection ssiA local politics or religion a
tsis county.