Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1883-04-06
POLITICS AND THE PULPIT.

We have observed during the past year,
and with some degree of surprise, certain
leading political reformers have invoked the
aid of the pulpit in behalf of their theories,
and only short time since the National
Civil Service Reform League, through a
committee for that purpose, published an
address to the clergy of the United States
in relation to the movement.
We have been educated 10 believe that
Government exists to define, TO detect and
prevent crime, and also to perform those
several public services which the individual
cannot perform at all or as well. The first
function covers the entire legislation of
people, for crime is simply breach of a
statute law. A sin or vice is not crime.
Vice and sin become crimes only when they
pass beyond the limits of personal and pri-
vate life and trench upon the public welfare.
We have perfect right TO do anything we
please, on condition that we do not interfere
with the similar right of every other citizen
TO do the same. As mankind progresses in
intelligence, becomes more self-controlled
in its passions and regardful OF that which
belongs to the nature of a noble man, gov
eminent may be expected 10 narrow itself
and become less and less, precisely as it is
the duty of the father to train and teach and
govern his children, that, as soon as posi-
BILE, they shall need it no longer and be
law unto themselves. But when it comes TO
doing that which the individual cannot do
as well, though we may have 10 increase
legislation, yet it should be kept within the
smallest possible limit The government has
to build Notifications and carry mails, and
the time seems likely TO come when this
principle will apply TO the great questions
of international commerce, to the manage
ment of the telegraph and railroads and
other matters.
The simple truth to be kept in mind is
that the government has no right to touch
these things until il be demonstrated that
the public good demands it, and then it be-
comes duty, not simply a right, for gov
eminent to assume control. Government
has no right to superintend or in any way
interfere in religion. Government ceases to
be government and becomes tyranny the
moment 1t touches the question of theoreti-
cal religion. 1t Is the governments business
TO look after character, morals and the be-
havior of men in their relations to each
ether, and 1t has no right to teach anybody's
religion in the public schools, or TO interfere
in anybody's religion whatever. These be-
ing the relations of the government to the
people-government being instituted for
the benefit of the people--there is no reason
why the clergy should not preach against
corruption In government or in those who
administer the government They may,
with perfect propriety, preach upon the
duty OF the citizen TO his country, to his
home and family, and all of these are so in
tilnately related to the administration of the
laws Of the country that the pulpit may
urge upon the people the duty of select
ing none but men Of the highest and purest
character to make and enforce the laws cf
the land, not as partisans, but as citizens.
The Civil Service Reform is 10 be inaugu-
rated and put into active operation by hon
est and stringent legislation and not through
the influence Of the clergy. Political thero-
ries are to be engrafted and become a part
Of our statutes when it shall have been de-
monstrated that they are for the public good
and not from the recommendation of the
clergy. The duty of the clergy is to "teach
men to love one another"-let them conflne
their labors to this end-and "all things will
work together for good"