The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-07-18
Politics in the Church.

We notIce-as is their custom before elec
tions-that some ofthe religious newspapers
are urging upon the voters, the necessity OF
supporting church members for office.
Some religious people in this way offer the
strongest argument for the promotion OF par
ticular candidates for office simply because
of their church affiliations. without ever Il
a VOL as TO the qualification or fitness Of the
candidate to discharge the duties Of the office
for which the church-member may be n can
didate-the only reQuisition being that he is a
religious" mana member of ''our" church.
We do not remember that any religious news
paper has ever urged the necessity for any
other qualification than that Of church-mcm-
bership.
In this country there are almost no unbc-
lievers in our religion, and there is certainly
no man within the borders Of the State who
would throw any obstacle in the way oil
christian growth. Then why this periodical
appeal for the injection of politics into the
church? 1t is expressly provided in the con-
stitution that church and State shall not be
Joined, and yet at each succeeding election
the denominational pride OF churcli-nembers
is stirred to vote for the "religious' man-the
man who may pray loudest in "our" church,
or who may be regular attendant at church
meetings-thus Offering in this country-as
England does in India-the greatest induce
we understand 1t, England gives her local ap-
pointments In India to converts 10 the chris
tian religion. AS a result, we believe, office
seekers, without exception in that country
profess christianity. But in this county
there is no need to buy with public office be-
lievers In the christian religion.
The railroads are supposed to employ as
much executive and administrative ability
and as much mechanical skill, as any corpo'
ration on the face of the earth, but they ncv-
or make any other enquiry of the candidate
for place than that of fitness for the position
lis he honest, capable, trustworthy?
Bat with religious" people 1t seems that a
candidate.for public Office need only belong to
"our" church. Other qualification or other
fitness for Office is never or seldom urged by
those who would marshal the church forces
for some Sunday School Superintendent or
excessively jealous church officer who may
neglect so trifllng matter as the payment OF
his own debts to attend church meetings.
Does merchant or banker ask if the appl-
cant for credit belongs to the church? Does
membership with the church add anything to
mans credit in the financial world? Isn't
It q serious reflection on the church that such
questions are disregarded in practical busl-
ness circles7 The question in such quarters
is, is the man honest? Is he capable Of pay
ing the proposed debt? Will he deal fairly
or does he propose to steal our money under
the guise OF contract, and then compound
for the felony by praying loud In church?
They care nothing about his religious pre-
ten sions, as they know by experience or OBJ
servation that church politicians are not
more trustworthy than honest conscientious
citizens who are truthful, and imbued with a
debtpaying religion, and who may even sit
In the rear Of the church.
II @ citizen seeks distinction because of his
excessive zeal In church matters, let him go
to preaching the gospel from the pulpit,
where the widest field Of usefulness invites
him, and where the richest crown awaits his
services. Let him not use the church as
stepping stone to political and official prefer
ment, and let our church newspapers inspire
O higher sentiment than that OF using the
church as political club in which to mar
shall voters "as dumb-driven cattle" to vote
for one OF their own members regardless OF
his fitness for position.
Is 1t not the Injection Of politics into the
churches, North and South, that alienateS
and keeps apart to-day the humble and sin
cere followers of our Lord and Saviour? Do
humble and sincere christians, North and
South, encourage this sentiment of alienation
or separation? We hazard nothing in saying
that they do not. Politics are injected by the
designing politicians and protesting chris
tians, who enter the church in the robes OF
the christian religion, and thus divide the
good people who should be as one in feeling,
as one in thought--a nuited people for the
promotion of the Redeemers Kingdom on
earth. Then we say, let blame rest on the pro
,tessed christian who would Inject vile and cor
rupting politics into the pure and holy church
of the true and living God.