The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1893-06-16
LAKE HERMAN.
Elder Oolcord Leads the Study on Relig-
ious Liberty-A Series Of
Resolutions.

Special Correspondence of The Daily Leader.
. LAKE HERMAN, June 15.-This morn
ing at 1890 Elder Colcord resumed HE
line of study upon Religious Liberty
with a reference from Matt. 22:2l, "Ren-
der therefore, unto Caesar the things
which are CAESARS, and unto God the
things which are Gods" This text is
not understood by many. Caesar repre-
sents government, and as the Savior was
answering a question relating to govern
mental obligation, it is safe to conclude
that he was here stating as a gospel
principle the total separation OF church
and state. The point was illustrated by
reference to laws against blasphemy and
the employment OF chaplains by the
government. Upon the last named sub
Ject IN extract from a memorial presen-
ted by the Baptists to the SD congress,
published in a work entitled Govern
ment Chaplains," praying for the aboli-
tion Of the Office of government chaplain,
was read, as follows: "The immense to-
crease of the number of chaplains en-
ployed by the government within the
past few years has alarmed us to appre-
bend that an extension of the system
may ultimately subject us all to the SER
ious and oppressive features of an un-
holy union OF church and state, with
| which the world has been so grievously
burdened in all ages, and from which w
had hoped we were forever delivered by
the glorious epoch Of the American Rev
~olutiop. We cannot perceive why cler-
Igymen should be sustained by govern
ment IN either house of congress, at Jul
military and naval stations, on board our
vessels of war, and in each regiment of
our army, any more than in each town
shin, parish, district or village through
out the land; and to sanction the former
could not be regarded otherwise than as
an assent to the ~extention of the same
system that would place us upon a level
with the priest-ridden despotisms of the
old world. Our members of congress,
military and naval officers, soldlery and
seaman are, or should be, paid a just
compensation for their services, and be
left, like all other citizens, to support
any clergyman, or none, as their con
sciences may direct them, without any
legal agency or coercion. Neither
Christianity nor the genius OF our insti-
buttons contemplates any a~ristocracy
predicated upon the clerical profession
and no special act therefore is necessary
by the government to admit clergymen to
our army and navy, as they may enlist
like other men, and labor, like Jesus
himself and his apostles among the poor
fishermen by the seaside. liz it be OBJ.
jected that few clergymen would serve
among the troops and marines upon
such terms, we can only say that, if act.
uated by correct religious motives, nc
minister would wait for government gold
to lead him to his labors OF love among
them, and o n but hypocrites would be
debarred by the want OF it. We think
the government should not evince more
religious zeal than professed ministers
OF the gospel themselves, by bribing
them to perform religious service. II
the clergymen in the, army and navy
look for other compensation than the
voluntary contribution of those among
whom they labor, the various religious
societies OF the country might be more
appropriately appealed to, as their funds
are voluntarily contributed for such
purposes, while those OF the government
are taken for national purposes, by au.
thority of law, equally from all classes OF
citizens OF whatever sects, and whether
professors or non-professors of religion
The kind of reasoning offered in reply to
such memorials was shown by another
extract from the same work, as follows;
"The reason more generally urged, is
the danger of a union of church
and state. If the danger were
real we seould be disposed to take the
most prompt and decided measures to
forestall the evil, because one of the
worst things for the religions and politi
cal interests OF this nation that could
possibly overtake us. But we deem
this apprehension entirely imaginary
and we think any one of the petitioners
must be convinced Of this on examina
ton OF the facts. Look at that score oil
different denominations and tell us, dc
you believe it possible to make a major
ity agree in forming a league to unite
their religious interests with those o.
the state? And these sects are widely
separated in their doctrines, their re
ligious rites, and in their church disci.