The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-10-12
pRAYERS AND POLITfCS.
Tho Baptist Ministers Agreo to SuppIicato
Providenco for Hancock and Garfield.
Some UDwrltten Histors.

Providence for Hancock and Garfield.
Some UDwrltten Histors.
f'" From the New York Herald.
| 1t is known very generally that tho
Washington Cd. c. ministers ofcvery
nan,e and denomination have united
In a call TO tho ministers md churches
| throughout the country to Join with
them in prayer on tho first Monday in
November in behalf Of the country,
tho two great political parties and
| their candidates for tho Presidelcy,
This call was presented formally to tho
| baptist Minister'S Conference ycstcr-
| day by their Executive Committee,
through tho Rov. A. G.. Lawson, of
Brooklyn, who asked that tho Conior-
cncc devote tho Monday named to this
object and service. DIR. Eddy had no
| objection to prayers for the politicians
and thoir parties; indeed, hc believed
| they nced prayers more than most
classes Of mon, but tho prayers of tho
Conference would be, in his opinion,
equivalent to prayers for the success
OF tho Republican, party and its candi-
dates, and this he feared might give
offence to John Kelly and Tnmmany
Hall Democrats. But, if the brethren
would continc themselves to prayer
only, hc had no objection to spcnd Tho
day named rs suggested. He believed,
| however, TINT they would talk politics
rs we'll as pray politics, aud this would
not be so acceptable. DR.. Potter did
not think his brethren could be confin-
cd to prayer merely, and that sucl,
prayer would be of no avail, for the
Republican parsons would be sure to
pray, "L0rd take care Of our institu-
tom" and tho Democrats would do
tho same for their party. And as tho
ministers and churches arc noarly
| evenly divided between tho two Dar-
ties tho outcome would not DO likely
to differ much from what It would be
had the matter been left to tho voters
nlono without any prayers at ALL un-
| less, indeed, 1t can bc shown that
God, who hears and answers PRAYER,
is moro partial to one party and candi-
date than the other. DR.. Adams
thought If tho Conference prayed for q
general revival Of religion that would
cover the ground. DR.. Yerkcs would
have the exercises confined to prayer
only, because the political feelings of
his brethren are too strong to DO trust
ell to addresses, but Mr.. Lawson
thought his brethren could pray poll
tics as well rs preach them.
After various other expressions Of
opinion, DR.. Mason, Of Washington.
ID. G., who was present to urge tho
matter upon the attention Of the Con-
ference, said that tho "Call to Prayer"
was not partisan documcnt; that the
ministers at tho capital felt that q
crisis was approaching no less grave
and severe than That through which
hc country passed in 197G-'77; that at
that time an attempt was made to
assassinnte President HAYES, which
tact has never been made public until
this time, and that for several months
then both parties in Washington were
armed in anticipation of bloodshed,
and that even the ministers thoro were
regularly drilled and armed also. In
tho attack on the President his carriage
was badly torn, but hc escaped.
The Conference decided to spend
November in prayer.