Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-09-13

Rev. A. B. Leonard, OF our city, has cause
to feel that he is, as it were, on top. He
undertook on his individual responsibility, 10
add to Ills duties of pastor OF . large congre.
CATION the duties of an active and stump
speaking cauvasser for the office OF governor
Of Ohio. This undertaking was rather
against the traditions OF his church Tor of
any church, and in contrsvention OF en- old
but still respectable sentiment among re-
ligious people that Christian minister's call
ing is sacredly set apar, from all others, be-
ing heavenly calling, and that a church
should not, either by its organization or by
any of its organs, commit itself to an in
termeddlng with the affairs of govern
ment. This old and still respectable senti-
ment, too, is part OF the general American
ideal of total separation OF church and
state. But Mr.. Leonard is = bold and pro-
gressive individual of bis ecclesiastical organ
ization, and one not addicted to hesitating
about its precedeuts or traditions. He accepted
the chief candidacy Of political party and
stepped out of his pulpit onto the stump
without asking leave of his congregation or
permission Of his church.
So ne went into the annual conference both
as political candidate and as a candidate for
appointment TO one Of the church's psstorates.
There was Anticipation that his appearance
there in that double capacity would cause
trouble. 1t WAS thought by some that the
conference world insist on his choosing be-
tween the service OF the church and
the service OF political party, and
that the bishop would refuse to assign him to
the one unless he would eschew the other.
But Mr.. Leonard went in and confronted
the issue with confidence and serenity He
was sent back to his pulpit here without a
word of remonstrance. He ia popular
preacher and an acceptable pastor, and his
congregation, though mostly republicans,
seem to have been neutral as to his politics.
Perhaps they thought that they could bear
his weekly six days Sighting against them
on the stump in consideration of his ditto
one days value to them IN the pulpit. At
auy rate, they made no objection to his re-
turn, and they appear to be content to have
him back. This was Mr.. lie onard's triumph
number one.
Then came up the report on the s,ate of
the church, with the inevitable topic of tenn
perance injected into it. The utterance on
that is similar to outgivugs of previous con-
ferences--namely, in favor OF prohibition
aud against either taxation or license of the
| liquor traffic; but there WAS added an allu-
sion to Mr.. Leonard in the mild
words 1--WE cannot indorse the psrtici-
pation in politics Of any of our
ministers by becoming candidates or public
advocates OF any party" etc. 1t was most
gentle and sweet-spoken sllusion. Il named
1
no one. IL negatively and most gingerly,
and, in fact, most modestly, put II that I'VE
cannot indorse." 1t did not blurt out ".
condemn or We object it did not even 70 the
length Of We deprseah: only, I'VE cannot
indorse." And even yet Mr.. Leonard was
not happy. He said, ~ have no doubt but
am acting ia harmony with the will of my
God" Surely, q conference OF the ministers
Of God ought not to say I'VE cannot indorse"
an action Of the quality OF thati
And they didn't. On motion of the Rev.
Conrsy, they struck out the clause which de-
slsrsd I'VE cannot indorse," ETC., and left the
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