The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-12-04
THE CHURCH ~ POLITICs.
Warner Miller Says 1t should 1aks ~ ore
Active Part.

Ex-senator Warner Miller, - Herxi-
mer. established confidential relations
last evening with the Presbyterian Union
Of New York. or the occasion OF the
Unions annual dinner at the Hotel
Brunswick lie told the members all
about the American Sabbath. the posi-
ton Of the Church in politics, or what
its position ought 10 be, and great
many other things OF interest aud pub
lie Importance.
Mr. Miller was very warmly greeted
by the ladies and gentlemen VINO crowd
ed the great banquetng hail. When he
began his address and when he closed II
there was a storm OF applause, and
several times he was interrupted IN the
middle OF a sentence when he said some
thing that pleased his auditors particu-
larry. Mr.. William y. Crane. VINO pre-
sided. in introducing Mr.. Miller said:
1--WE used 10 hear OF our distinguished
guest as being outside che breastworks.
but since the last election 10 seems 10
be conceded all around that he As well
inside"
Mr.. Miller smiled amiably. and then he
gave his hearers a discourse OF niteen
minutes that had more theology in II than
the combined addresses OF an the
other speakers. though they were all
regularly licensed ministers. Among
other things. Mr.. Miller said:
we have heard. with pain and sorrow,
of the tens OF thousands OF Christians
who have been massacred while Christian
Europe stood Idly by doing nothing TO
prevent the dreadful murders. our SYM
pathies ought always TO go out TO the
oppressed, but I'm this case there IS a
particular call on them, and We should
not let the occasion pass without go
ing on record.
Here in America the Church has civil
as well as religious liberty II rs our
boast that Church and State are entirely
separated This is, no doubt, very nne,
but sometimes IT seems 10 me that we
carry this idea too far-that the Church
abstains too much from exercising proper
and wholesome influence IN public ar
fairs.
"Tbe conditions that exist in many OF
our municipalities and even IN the gov
eminent OF some OF our States, and oven
i'm sections OF our Federal Government,
show this pretty clearly 1he Churches
during the last quarter OF a century
have failed TO exercise that control over
the people in public matters that they
should have exercised. This influence
! should be exerted by the Churches
| through the membership, the ministry
| and through the Church press. - Is
! a wholesome sign when the influence
makes itself felt
Il know no better example or this tnan
/ the result achieved here last year IN
| local politics. Then the Churches wore
united for good government, ana tHe
forces OF corruption were united. inns
wear the union for good was disrupted
| the churches failed 10 DO their WORK
and here in this great city the forces
| Of immortality triumphed. Fortunately
| II was different in the state outside OF
| the city.
or the churches would only use the
power in public affairs that they mihhi.
| The time would soon come when II could
no longer be said that a gentleman mas
NO business in politics. Next 10 Inc
| service OF God. there can be no higher
| nohler service than the service OF inc
| nuhlic The science OF government rem
resents the best type OF human knowi-
aare and notifies would be so purihed
| ,ba, the greatest intellects might ne
h~orobt 10 the service OF the people.
rho churches should lay aside their an
sorercos and act together for the best
interests OF the republic.
| or has heer said that the safefy or tn'
ro,ublic lies IN the education or the
neople. This is true TO a certain exten.
| 49,, 80 ~~ileges are splendid irSei-
,u,,o,s ar rii aid largely in the con-
| servation OF our Government out' strip'
ned Of moral and religious teaching mere
secular education can give us no aDso'
| Iute assurance OF the maintenance oi '''
republic New York Times.