The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-07-02
PULPIT AND POLITICS.
The Relation Sustained by the Christian
Minister to Current Politics.

governments
ethics which has to do with the regulation and
government Of a nation or state, the preserva-
ton of its safety, peace and prosperity; the de-
Tense of its existence and rights, against foreign
control or conquest tho augmentation Of its
strength, and resources, and the protection OF
its citizens in their rights with the preservation
and improvement of their morals. The veneer
able DR.. Whedon, late editor Of the Methodist
Quarterly Review, has said that government is
ordained by God and that Society is not
formed by a tabled social compact; but on
the contrary, God has formed man for
society, and government is the form into which
he has obliged society to throw itself for its
own peace and conservation. Hence, at all
times every government that truly is q govern
ment, is ordained of God and entitled to our
obedience It is the proud boast of the Ameri
can citizen that his is the best form of political
government upon the face Of the earth-a gov
eminent of the people, and by the people, and
for the people; recognizing as the secret Of its
great strength and underlying power allegiance
to God, and the perfect equality of all men be-
fore the law. tits easy to conclude, from the
government during more than a hundred years
of its history in all of the cireufn
stances by which it has been surrounded
and in every phase through which it has
passed, that such form ought to be perpetu-
ated. The factors in this great governmental
problem are the governing and the governed
and the qualifications of each, necessary to per
form their several functions, are questions of
the greatest magnitude
While our marvellous progress has challenged
the admiration of the entire civilized world, it
will be admitted that the results achieved have
grown out of the intelligent discussion Of the
multfarious questions touching our great polft
ical economy, and disposition on the part of
the patriotic to engage in the work of govern
ment with renewed energy and zeal. Hence in
the successive steps of our national progress,
this work has developed a large number
whose devotion to God, and the great
principles Of liberty equality and Justice
has covered them with an earthly Immortality.
The rapid growth of this country in wealth; the
great influx of foreign immigration; the assign
ment Of the negro to his proper sphere in the
body polite; the establishment of civil service
reform; the suppression of the rum traffic; the
adjustment of the relations between capital and
labor; the protection of our great industries the
maintenance Of national dignity. at home and
abroad: and, in fact the harmonious blending of
the various social questions, by which each citi-
zen is protected in thepursuit of life liberty and
happiness, are among the questions which pre-
sent themselves for the consideration of every
citizen, regardless Of position creed, or polit-
zeal affinity
What, then, is the relationship which themin-
ister of the gospel snstains to the discussion
of these important questionsl My answer is
that in every respect he has the same rights
that any other citizen has. Morally, as well as
politically, he is under solemn obligations as a
faithful Waterman to look after the interests of
his fellow-citizens. As the Representative of
a dstinctively moral phase of all these questions
he is to take decidedly leading part Duties
which he owes to God, to his family and to his
country, ought to suggest very strongly the
propriety of the use of both voice and influence
in securing to his fellow-men the blessings of
good government Eight years ago the great
Fisher Ames said: a0ur country is too big for
union, too sordid for patriotism too Dem ocratie
for liberty Its vice will govern It
by practicing upon its folly This is
ordained for demoeraeies. The men who have
the best principles, and those who act from the
worst will talk alike, except only the latter will
exceed the former in fervor. But the language
of deceit, though stale and exposed to Detection
will deceive as long as the multitude love fiat
terry better than restraint My observation
leads to the conclusion that the sentiment Just
quoted is very highly applicable to ourpeople and
our times Men, not principles, is too often the
battle-ery of the great political parties.
One cannot fail to notice the evil Influences
which environ us, and which are fruit full source
of many of the perila that threaten our
political happiness. The popular will is often
thwarted by the use Of the most corrupt means.
1t is not very cheering reflection that the mann
mon of unPighteousness holds high carnival and
that we hear the great wheels of the political
Juggernaut crushing out every principle of pa
triotic virtue. Officers of the law too frequently
wink at it's many violations, in order to retain
their positions and secure the SURFACES Of the
baser elements. 1t has become popular prae-
tice now to be able, in political parlance to una
nipulate the boys The average voter inquiries
he will reward his political friends and punish
his opponents.
The oligarehy of intemperance aspires to die
tate the policy of the greatpoltical parties, and
is preparing to food our land with criminals. 1t
is sometimes considered inexpedient to engraft
into the platforms of political parties those great
moral reforms soneeessary to the perpetuity of
good government. We have reached crisis in
which the minister is expected to take con
spicuous part It is impossible to effect re-
form in these matters until the better sent-
ments of the people are aroused and for this
great work his relationship to the people, his
Office andcalling furnish him pre- eminent quail
fcatiens.
It is matter of profound significance that, in
every crisis through which we have passed and
in the arhitfament Of every question involving
the weal or woe of this great republic ministers
of the gospel have been equal to the emergency;
and 1t is an undisputed fact that the counses of
these good men have in several instances saved
the s'old ship Of State from impending ruin
The name Of the now sainted and great Bishop
Simpson viii 60 down into history with inereas
ing luster as one of the greatest, purest and
best that ever adorned its pages. His Industrious
record would be incomplete without the add
tonalfact that he was the tried and trusted conn
selor of the immortal Lincoln and Stanton during
the dark days that tried mems souls The brave 4
Bishop was Enthusiastically on the side of the
Union and the Constitution.
Publicly and priVately-in the ecclesiastical
council, or in the social assembly-he taught the /
people their duty IN the crisis, and to him, as
much as to any other influence, was the great
church Of which he was the honored representa-
tive indebted for that spirit Of patriotism which
made Mr.. Lincoln feel that its prayers, and its
masses, and its contributions Of loyal men en-
titled It to the re-eminence II is an old but
unreasonable objection that because q the
very peculiar relationship existing be-
tween the minister and his flock, he
must refrain from making any aliusion to
tho great political questions Of the day except m
a Orf50 IF N vao afixyo 81 Il
lowed 10 vote and sometimes to denounce
from the pulpit prevalent evils, but must take
no further part III bringing about the good re-,
suits desired This is species Of slavery which |
spiritual guide, and is authority on all moral
ouestions and it is but In kaenin, with the |