Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-10-31
CHERCE IND SITE.

henCer therefore unto Cesar, The things
which are Cesar's; and unto Gcd the thing:
that are God's.-MATTHEw,x XIX II: 81.
The political campaign is nearly ended
To day the pulpit politicians will utter
the last words that they can hope will have
an influence upon the voters. Il is, there
fore good time to call halt-to ask these
self constituted guardians of the consciences
and personality of citizens what they mean.
Do they design to prostitute the Office they
hold-in past days esteemed sac1ed-to the
loyel Of the pot-house or the saloon? If SO,
the sooner all honest citizens withdraw from
their ministrations the better.
The pulpit was established in order to af-
ford better means Of disseminating the
truths of revealed religion. 1t should be
confined to that one purpose, and never per.
verted. But Of late years it has
been turned into means of
PROSECUTING votes-has been debased by a
few unworthy representatives of the pro-
fession, and has on that account lost much
of its influence and power. The fact can
not be questioned that within the last
twenty years the pulpit has lost much of its
influence in religion, though it may have
gained greatly in the domain of politics. If
the clergy feel themselves compelled to in
wade the precincts that have heretofore been
reserved to people for whom they have had
only words of condemn alton, then their in
fuence may be regarded as gone forever and
irrevokably.
When clergyman is ordained to his call
ing it is especially impressed upon him that
he shall walk in accordance with the pre-
oepts of his seer, and that he shall devote sill
his life and energy to the PRONUNCIATION of
the precepts of religion. If he departs from
that injunction he proves recreant to the
trust reposed in him and recreant to the
oath he has taken. 1t makes 20
difference whether he may speak
for Democrat or Repub-
liean candidate, the act is none the less
reprehensible, A minister of the gospel has
no right to drag his robes in the mire of
partisan politics.
Within the past two weeks DIR. Fulton and
Mr.. Talmage, of Brooklyn, Mr.. Hatfield and
Mr.. Jewett, of Chicago, and several others
who are called to preach the gospel, have
taken occasion to preach from their pulpits
upon the political situation. If the issues of
the present campaign involved in the slight
est degree the interests of the church, their
conduct would not evoke comment, but as
there is not the remotest relation between
them, their course is wholly indefensible. In
the passage quoted at the head of these re-
marks, the master clearly defined the policy
that should pIeveil throughout the Chris
tlan wcrid-the separation of
church and State. "Render into Cesar
the things which are Cesar's.'' Leave the
control of temporal affairs with those who
are concerned in them. But further in
junction is uttered, and that is: Render
"unto God the things that are God's'' Can
man who has consecrated his every effort
to the service of God conscientiouslv claim
that he is performing his duty when he is
advocating the claims of any candidate for
political Office?
The separation of the church from the
state was declared by the founder of Chris
tianity. In the constitution of the United
States it was re-asserted in modified form
In the form of an assertion thai no relig-
lous qualifications should be required to en-
title mento the privilege of voting or of hold
ing office. Shall this cardinal precept of
the constitution be overthrown by a few
clerical politicians? Shall the stats
be made subservant to tie church
the creature of few depra7ed men who hap
pen to wear clerical robes? The continent
OF the entire populace will revolt against
such an idea. 1t is inconsistent with liberty
of conscience and with liberty of individual
action, and will not be tolerated under auy
circumstances.
The pulpit politicians are deserving of no
consideration from sensible men. They
prostitute their Office. They interfere in
matters that do not concern them in the
least. They simply consider that, as they
have attained an elevated1position, they have
the privilege of exhibiting all the asiniuity
they possess to the gaze of an admiring pub
lie.