The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-11-21
Clergymen in Politics.


Special TO the Indianapolis Journal
New YORK, Nov. 20.-In great many con-
spicuous church congregations in town men and
women are asking one another, us it wise for
the clergy to interest themselves in politicsq'
Proba oily the pastors themselves do not discuss
the question, each having made up his own mind
in his own case. The facts on either side of
the question are interesting. After the din and
smoke of each election day in this city the ex-
element of the finished campaign re-echoes in
the churches. These echoes are beating upon
our ears at this moment because the
triangular fight for Mayor might
lily lively that some pastors could not keep
out of it. In and near New York there are no
more famous pastors than Henry Ward Beecher
DR.. r. S. Storrs, Father McGlynn, Pastor w. H.
Derrick and r. Heber Newton. They face the
wealth and fashion of this great center and their
hearers embrace all Christendom. Let US glance
at their positions on this question.
The Rev. r. Heber Newton has found it in
cumbent on him to explain some of his utterances
made during the campaign of Henry George,
whose cause he espoused. l don't know how true
it is but it is said that at least one leading bust
ness man In his wealthy and aristocratic congre-
cation took exception TO something the pastor is
reported to have said. How much discomfort this
ii,
the explanation deemed worth while. at all
events. Mr.. Beecher has just explained to the
press why he has offended the Tories in England
by his course over there. Father McGlynn's
close companionship with Henry George as can
didate for Mayor suddenly terminated amid
wide rumors that the great church of which he
is an officer criticised his course Since then
the church, through high dignitary, has
assured the public that it remains. always,
the great defender of the interests of society
nhrr CAn6n
time the Rev. DR.. Storrs. of the Church of the
Pilgrims. in Brooklyn, has declared that he has
ever made 1t his policy to confine his work to
religious ministrations. DR.. Storrs is unques-
tionably the most prosperous of all our pastors,
and presides over what is perhaps the solidest
and most placid of all congregations.
On the other hand, the Rev. DR.. Burchard has
retired from the presidency OF Rutgers (eirls)
College and from his church since he uttered the
famous sentence on Rum, Romanism and Re-
belllon. Pastor Newman, who made another
political character his especial and public charge,
also gave up his conspicuous connection with the
city amid anger and confusion, but nothing is
proven by this, for he is very happily and fortu-
nately placed in Washington. Still further the
Rev. Justin d. Fulton, of Brooklyn. who could
seldom refrain from taking part in public mat
tiers, has virtually dropped ont of sight. And
who can forget the excitement and apparent dis
cord in Mr. Beechers church, when, two years
ago. he appeared at public meetings in behalf
of Mr.. Cleveland He has survived it, of
course, but it gave him trouble There is in
the same city, however. a jealous priest presid-
ing over a huge congregation, who always
makes free to his influence for what he
thinks will inure to the good of his people in
political way. But the most UNIQUE of our
preacher politicians is the Rev. William HI.
Derrick. Never heard of him2 Well, he will
be famous if he is not. He presides over the
biggest colored congregation in America, and
faces notable crowd of colored men in broad
cloth and colored women in satins in the Suli-
van-street Church every Sabbath. He is al
most of ebon hue, West Indian, young and
very gifted. He never hesitates to tell his peo-
pie. singly or collectively, how to vote. and
year ago he had a State Senator in his parson-
age begging him to withdraw his pastoral OPP
position to the Senator'S reelection. He con-
siders himself the guardian and guide of his
flock, and far from having cause regret his
course. is rated a man politician afford
to ruffle, for he controls thousands of votes.
JULIAN RALPH.