Morning journal and courier., 1883-04-07
SOME POLITICAL PREACHING.

In his Fast Day proclamation Governor Butler recommended clergymen to abstain
 in the sermons they should preach that day
 from reference to political affairs. Nobody
 knows what idea was in the mind of the bold
 Ben when he made this proclamation, but if
 he wanted to stir the clergymen up he can
 not find fault with his success. AS we have
 already noted, last Sunday many of the cler-
 gymen sharply criticised the governor and
 his proclamation, and many of them also
 spoke their minds quite freely ia their Fast
 Two of the Boston clergymen-the Rev. Bartol-were very severe in their criticisms.
 MT. Clarke took as his subject the fable of the bramble and the trees, applied it to the present time, and said that while the bramble might rule for brief period the good sense of the people, which he compared to the up right and stalwart trees of the forest, would find some way of getting rid of it when it showed it's real disposition. Dr. Bartol was still more personal. He said that Governor Butler preferred notice, however critical, to neglect. Silence he would hold to be fate the hardest and worst. Among other notable things which Dr. Bartol said are the following: He thrusts himself in every possible way on our notice. He challenges attention, and we have this year a sensational, advertised, or self-advertising man who insists on being recognized, hated or loved, and acts, writes or speaks on pur- pose to send vibrations to the Rocky Noun tains. He does not want to be skipped by the occupants of the pulpit or by the press, and so he stirs us up with a long pole, as they do the animals in the menagerie < The governor is emphatic and precise in his plea that the ministers should avoid preach ing politics or any secular themes, and con the Father. Has our calling then no appli- cation beyond Sunday or outside the temple walls? Is business business, and religion religion, in such sense that the two things have nothing to do with each other Did Moses mean to disapprove of lying and steal ing only at the altar and in Sabbath clothes 2 May a man play the mischief or the devil in court or the representatives chamber in com mittee, or as referee and go un- plucked of the Almighty hand? * The respectable nominee for governor of the party in place was not widely known. The volunteer and frequent seeker had chalked his name large, to be read in every village a man of immense magnetism, generous per sonal traits and sympathy with the largest and lowest class, devoid of foolish pride, with nothing dainty in his ways, but having the style of boon companion, the vulgar manners that are such delight to the vuI- gar, and able to persuade not few of his political opponents to give him their votes in default of well-matched antagonist 'just to see what the old man would do." We'll, they have seen and are satisfied that they have got B Benjamin Franklin of 8 new sort, King Stork, and not a King Log. Our governor, who has such notoriety and pres tige that he knowshe can say nought the pub lie will not hear humorousiy, announces that whatever degree of ILL D. or D. D. Harvard may confer on him, he can 'tfill the bill" It is for the college to decide how far it will distribute it's honors on those by whom beforehand they are sneered at Filled in the manner the bill, if offered, will be, it
 is question whether it's value will be en- hanced for those who have already been thus dignifed, or are to receive it hereafter
 This is political preaching with 8 ven- yeance. It may seem to outsiders that it is hardly warranted by the situation, but the
 respectable" people of Massachusetts will it as very accurately expressing their feelings. -. =. -