The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-08-16

We observe that the silver question is
discussed in Protestant pulpits, but. so far
as we know, It has not been mentioned
In the sermons OF Roman Catholic priests.
who thus show truer conception OF the
Office and end OF religion and Of the proper
functions of its ministers.
The Rev. Mr.. DE COSTA, for instance.
preached on the subject in an Episcopal
pulpit last Sunday, on the ground that 1t
concerns moral and religious principle.
THE whole question Of our national cur
rency Is moral question" he said; though,
in fact, it Is purely question Of business
policy. The partners in the great business
association OF the American people are
in disagreement as to the policy OF
conducting the concern which will most
conduce to their advantage. II Mr.. BLAND
and his faction could prove to the satisfac-
ton Of the people that their present and
permanent prosperity would be Increased
by the free coinage Of silver. free coinage
we should surely have. When Mr.. DE COSTA
said that the agitation Is due to the pres
ent worship Of Mammon," he said what Is
true enough. except that such worship is no
more peculiar to this time than to any other
time. 1t Is due to difference OF opinion as
to the best way OF making money; and in
the long run it will he decided in strict &C.
cordance with our business interests.
Tho currency question is n purely tenn
poral and transitory one. 1t concerns the
laying up OF treasures on earth. and religion
is concerned only with heavenly treasures
"For what shall 1t profit man," religion
asks. "if he shall gain the whole world and
lose his own soul2 Or what shall man
give in exchange for his soul ?" 1t proceeds
on the theory that the only gain that is
essential, and the only loss that Is irrepara-
bic. must be spiritual and eternal. 1t has
nothing to do with temporal policy. but Is
occupied solely with everlasting principle.
The experiences OF this life. fortunate or
unfortunate, are In its view OF no conse-
uuence except as an education for the life
to come. Silver and gold are to 1t corruptl-
bic dross. and the only real wealth Is the
imperishable riches Of the split. 1t has
nothing to do with the currency OF earth.
but deals only in the currency OF heaven.
or course. the debate now proceeding is q
debate over mammon. 1t is over that and
nothing else. The arguments on both sides
are addressed wholly to the seltishness
OF men. Congress Is not thinking about
so far as it affects the welfare Of the Amer
lean people. Its discussion Of the silver
question Is purely secular. and is altogether
opposed to the spirit and principle Of
religious self-abnegation. The thoughts OF
the people who are following the debates OF
Congress are solely concerned with dollars
and cents: and the more absorbing their
interest in the subject. the more is their at
tention diverted from the eternal veritles
and spiritual principles with which religion
Is concerned.
Hence. at q time like this the pulpit has
peculiar need to confine itself to its proper
field. 1t should preach the fundamental
principles OF religion. instead OF stirring
men to discord and nwaking In them
thoughts and conditions homogeneous with
the religious spirit by treating OF per-
picked and intricate question OF finance.
which it Is totally unfit to discuss in way
to command tho respect Of those who I'M
derstand the subject or think they under
set out to bull or to bear stocks.
If the pulpit Is wise. 1t will let the silver
question alone. Its business Is with In
finiteiy more important matters. unless its
institution Is based on delusion. 1t can
start out by assuming that men will look
out for their temporal and material inter
ests. and thus devote all It's energies to
rousing them to like concern for their
eternal and spiritual welfare. Religion Is
the poetry OF life. The silver question be-
longs to Its dry and hard prose.