The Frankfort roundabout. [volume] (Frankfort, Ky.) 1882-1908, 1891-03-14
Ministers i'm Politics.
BY JAMES BUCKHAM.

out of politics?' This was the SEN
tence that caught my eye in a reli-
gious newspaper, the other day.
And it set me to thinking: Why this
appeal? Is it we'll grounded?
Ought ministers to keep out ofpolitics?
The idea of the writer undoubtedly
was that ministers ought not to de-
scend to the level ofpresent political
methods. evil communications cor
rupt good manners" The clergyman
who goes into the packed caucus and
the substituting political fight, and fin
ally deposits his one honest ballot in a
snow-drift of brides, is liable to get
demoralized-t to some slight extent.
He may exaggerate point, this way
or that, to favor the interest of his
candidate. He may even prejudice
another mans candid Judgment.
Possibly, he might exercise his au-
thority as pastor to advance his
cause as a politician. When such
things as these are but the mildest
sort Of impurities in the political at
mosphere, must there not be some
danger of contagion in breathing it?
A very plausible sort of an argu-
ment, truly-an argument on the
low plane Of expediency. But sup
pose this same argument were car
ried out into all the relations which
q clergyman sustains to society. He
ought never, then, to go into the
city slums, for fear that he may be-
come infected with the prevalent
raggedness, and filth and poverty of
those sections-as indeed he might,
if some wandering sand-bagger
should take it into his head to violate
the tenth commandment with re-
spect to the clerical broadcloth and
presumptive fat wallet. Neither
ought he ever to be found in the
company of many sinners at one
time, as Jesus was at the publican's
house. They might prove too
much for his responsibility. Fur
thermore, the same rule would re-
quire that the minister isolate him.
self physically, whenever there was
a contagious disease in his parish.
He must by no means enter any
house, where some poor, uncomfort-
ed sufferer looks shudderingly into
the last abyss, through the distorting
mists of fever. This mans precious
moral and physical health must i'll no
way be endangered. 1t is better so
our friend seems to argue) that the
clergyman's professional righteous
ness should be maintained intact,
than that he should run the slightest
risk Of doing any practical good in
the quarters where it is most need
ed.
This is the reductio ad absurdum of
the argument, that ministers ought
to know enough to keep out of poll
tics. But fail to see why it is not a |
perfectly legitimate reduction. 1t
assumes that a minister has no bust
ness to step out Of the Murray Hill
or Beacon street of exclusive right
eousness, into any OF the alleys |
which diverge therefrom, lest he
himself, the man, the individual, the
poor, paltry human unit, should
stain his feet with the mud of human
This seems to be more
like gratuitous slur upon modern
pracocal, progressive, economic
Christianity, than piece Of judicious
advice to the clergy. of America.
The fact is that, wherever there
exists the most corruption in our
of the serpent lies widest and black
est, there we want the ameliorating,
rectifying influence of the best men
nish. We want, above all, the help
of the recognized representatives Of
the church of Christ.
The trouble with our American
politics to-day is, that the best men
keep out of them. The prevalent
on the part of our ablest,
most honest, high-minded citizens,
to the preservation in their strietest
of our American institu-
tons, and the maintenance of high
standards in our popular form of
government, is a shame and re-
proach to American civilization.
You will find the best men every
where standing aloof from the public
service. 1t is so even in local and
provincial politics. The worthiest
citizens pass by on the other side,
while the demagogues lead their
hired retinues to the caucus and
their bribed rabbles to the polls.
It has come to the point that money
everywhere, buys political prefer
ment. The statesman's robe is up at
auction, and the doors of our legis-
lative halls open only to keys of
gold.
Is ia time, then, to say that the min
ster- the man whose influence for
good in our communities is every
where acknowledged greatest
10 keep himself clear of politics?
Is there not rather the most urgent !
need that he, and all men Of integri-
Jy, of wisdom, of high standards, of
loyalty, and of patriotism, should
throw themselves into American
politics with heart, and soul, and
will, and intellect? Ourpublic affairs :