The Wilmingtonian., 1886-03-13
pOIItics aud Religion.

What claims particular notice just now
and deserves placing Oh record is the fact Of
the overt position different religious denom-
nations throughout the English speaking
portions of the globe have taken in regard
to politics.
That the churches should make open dem
| onstration in this matter is of itself alone
worth critical notice Hitherto, as all
know, any part taken by the church or
churchmen in the path Of political criticism
or cognizance of civil matters ia any official
or quasi authoritative way has been tradiq
| tionally looked upon by the people, and
latterly since the birth of the Fourth Es-
tate, " as it is called in England, the press,
with proper jealousy.
| At the recent Methodist Conferences at
Elkton, political matters outside Of the
theme of prohibition, were incidentally
brought up and discussed in council of the
clergy and delegates as legitimate ma ter for
Conference discussion. The strong Pre,by-
terian church of the North Of Ireland only
last week took definite political stand upon
the Irish national question by open rtsolu-
zion In the recent general elections in En-
| gland, GladstOne's stoutest opponents in
the provinces were the country reetors. In
the last general Episcopal assembly of the
different dioceses OF the United States poit-
cal questions formed the most enlivenng
subjects of debate, somewhat, it must be said
in regard to the manner of the discussion,
discreditably to the participants. The r..
man Catholic church too, when the occasion
requires does not refrain from definite
action.
We think that that traditional jealousy, in
It's historical fact, is wrong and entirely ont
of place at the present day.
We must remember that to-day the church
is not only the teacher of religion but the
demonstration and strongest upholder of law
and order in all civilized communities 1t is
its conservatnr also.
When referring to that fact in its general
and iar-reaching truth the sound basis upon
which it rests cannot be denied The church
Of to day is not identical with the historical
church of past ages, and is additionally far
estranged in character from even the estab-
lished churches of the present time. As re-
CARDS our country, the United States, this is
literally the fact We may to-day without
the slightest danger or risk of the perpetual
ton of the principles of political liberty be-
hold the active participation of the church
in civil affairs. The duty OF intoxicating
subsection to constituted authority is the
chnrch's strong right arm. 1t well recug-
uizes the prrcept that ''urder is heavens
first law"
There is no danger of an Archbishop Laud
at this date Of the nineteenth century The
prince bishops OF the middle ages are pret-
~ historical picture that would Ue implssl-
ble Of resuactatun under present conditions
Of political growth. The State church III
England were it even pretended that no
formulated intentions as to its abplishment
did not exist might, without danger to the
people, be allowed 10 continue It's innOcuuus
existence. 1t is not claimed that the de
mand for its removal is based upon active
aggression gu its part but definitely upon
the fact OF its public uselessness and passive
cumbrouSnesS, combined Of course with the
knowledge we have of the immense ex-
pense such an institution is to the country
1t is only incidentally at the present day of
political Importance, ana that sOey upon the
fact that most of the bishops OF the chul eh
of England hold life seats ia the House of
Lords and thereby through their combined
vote are possessed OF certain detinite politi
cal power vested III them in manuer
strangely at variance with more modern tra-
ditions of popular representation.
But socially, among the people, tue church
always has and will hold definite Influence,
that is to say power. And this is not m-
proper. The mo!e civilized we become and
the more closely We become identified with
refinement, religion, that is the church, will
be recognized as the arcaua of "the holy
things" of a community, These are main