The San Francisco call., 1895-07-30
The Topic of Discussion by
the Congregational Mon
day Club.
A MISSIONARY FROM HAWAII.
DR.. Minton the Chief Speaker at the
PRESBYTERIAN Ministerial
Union.


opinions and votes. There was a nearly
equal division of sentiment among the
members.
Rev. Philip Graft read paper on "The
Preacher in Politics" He said:
Loudly and widely, nowadays, we hear the
clamor for the patriot preacher-the man sem
sitively alive TO the ethical side of social ques-
tions, man not of the loaf and fish order OF
politicians, but q broad-minded statesman
whose aim is not to secularize the church but
to regenerate and chTistianize the community
and nation. In some respects 1t is no wonder
that this topic, in certain quarters, has been
touched with dainty shyness, for more than
once politics, in its grosser form, has changed
golden priests into figures OF Poeksnlnlan
pewter.
In this end-of-the-century period De Toque-
villes criticism has lost none OF Its point that
ministers slight the subject OF public virtue.
If in the high Christian sense politics IS not
the Shiny, scaly thing, but divine ethics ap-
piled to human affairs and government, then
when party-ories are misleading and public
opinion is cropping in moral blindness and laws
become yOkes of slavery and heels OF oppres-
sion, and liberty is jeOpardlzed, 1t is con-
scientious duty of the man of God to lift his
voice like trumpet in behalf of his country.
This is legitimate. Few if any will indorSe DR..
South's tory spleen and vitriolic partisanship,
but when political preaching is merely used to
set forth GODS law as theTule OF action IN the
primary and polling booth, 10 recognize his
regnaney and leadership in the origin and
eXalt the sentiment of universal brotherhood,
and above all to propheJically sound the note OF
alarm and pleading in hours OF peril, luxury
and pride and call the people back to Cod
surely the preacher must do this or else prove
untrue 10 his large mission. The fact is, as
soon as his religion is divorced from art, sci
ence, business culture or politics, it is apt to
sink into hollow form, humdrum routine
and mischief breeding superstition. To be
false TO the state is to violate our inmost self.
Morality is deeper than prudential motives of
1r1ar md nS- for Sn n
half of others. If we shlrk civic duties yet
his passionate tears over Jerusalem and his
thTusts of epigram and thunderbolts OF lnvec-
tive at the nations blind leaders and corrupt
parties are evidence sufficient to indicate that
he uttered message to the community as well
as to the separate SOUL
No one can doubt that if the pulpit avoids
the peril of faction and acrimonious debate and
largely confines itself TO leavening the town
with a public-spirited patriotism, the gospel
viii not suffer in virility or transhgur1ng
power. Certainly If preaching is the tool of q
party or a privileged class it deserves our scorn
and hate, our impatience and anger, but If it
signifies an impartial attitude, and honestly
tries TO enthrone God on judicial bench and
campaign stump and in bailot-boX as well as
in the temple and prayer-book, end seeks to
cleanse the smirch out of leprous methods 10
heal strife or lift up holier or larger ideals, it
deserves recognition and honor. Man Is not
only an individual, but also an inseparable
part of greater organism and whatever affects
his wellbeing comes within the scope OF the
morality is essentially pagan, not Christian,
and hence whatever ak is laid TO the root of
the barren Fl g tree, or whatever method is used
for regenerarng society, it must be in accord
ance with the spirit and temper of Christ
Men are afraid not so much of new truth as Of
cunning counterfeits, not OF new and better
ways OF doing things, but of incompetency in
applying or utilizing them.
When rogues rule and slum and grogshop,
p0olroom and kennel dictate policies, and ethi-
cal instruction is tabooed in the public school,
NM rio
priZe-ring for the fight of unholy ambitious,
and wire-puller and bribe-giyer and loafer,
wholesale slanderer and verminiferous organ
piper control electlOns, ana sham WatchWords
and snap issues and melodramatic nicknames,
oyer puns and garbage-boX proddings and pic
torialiZed falsehood determine issues and
blacken character and impern the Govern
ment, it is high time that Isaiah or an
Elijah arose and went FORTH in sword and can
non style, TO represent the tongue OF justice,
the voice Of the social order, championing
Gods righteous law and viii, righting wrongs,
abolishing abuses erecting new institutions OF
truth and mercy and so ending somewhat the
reign of political cutthToats and treasury pill
ferers, Of thugs and blackmailers and charter
stealers. L ex-senator ingalls, camera shot is
a correct copy of the political situation at the
present time another Daniel or John the Bap-
tist must needs be on the point of appearing
soon to interpret the lurid tinger-marks or
shake the sitting fan OF judgment.
But to reconstruct society without failure or
harm, to reach the rooted depths of trouble
and do q transforming instead OF mere senti-
mental work, to exalt the general character
and ideals of people, will involve not only the
faithful preaching of the cardinal principles of
the gospel, but also an intimate frst-hand
study OF the facts wrapped up in the problems
at issue.
More and more the god of this world is learn
ing that the minister is not after all vision
AIRY and impracticable dreamer or an inspired
idiot. whose craftsmanship may fit the moon
but not this live rough and tumble sphere. If
ever as q body the clergy were open to the
Tp-
spectability, or an eInaseulated culture e, that
fling is considerably out of date.
Religion without public morality is essen
tally pagan. not Christian, and hence whatever
ak is laid at the root of the barren fig tree or
whatever method is used for regenerating
society it must be in accordance with the spirit
and temper of Christ. Men are afraid not so
much OF new truths as of cunning counterfeits,
not OF newand better ways OF doing things but
OF incompetency in applying or utilizing them.
He described the ideal preacher as the
man whose personal lower self has died on
the cross in order that Christ might be- all
in all. He is no dupe, or pedant, or time
serving trimmer, hurting battering rams
against old Babylon, but letting Oakland
or San Francisco go free.
Rev. ]. W. Cruzan said he wished he
valued the ministry as political factor as
the speaker did. In his own opinion the
preacher who goes into politics commences
nowhere and ends at the same place.
Pontlcs Is the science or getting there,
and successful politics is the science of
getting there first
Mr.. Bowel thought the minister who
is too good to go into politics should be
preserved in alcohol and placed among
curios.
DR.. Williams believed the minister
should be an interpreter of political princi-
pies, but not leader in politics
DR.. Mooar said the intent of the paper
was right, but it would take a great
amount Of good sense to carry out the
programme.
Rev. G. G. Hatch said it would take
much good sense and a good deal besides to
carry out that intent. He thought preach
ers should participate in politics as men,
but not as preachers. He believes politics
is not in their province.
Rev. W. H. Tubbs told of his ministry
In the South during the war and how
while his politics were known that fact
made no difference in his usefulness
Mrs. Sarah B. Cooper said she liked to
hear such broad principles enunciated
from the pulpit as would cover all ethical
questions.
Rev. Loyal L. Writ said: "There is such
q thing as religion per se." He contrasted
hundred miles from San Francisco he
SAID, sententiously, whose pastor had been
giving political lectures on Sunday even
ing, with the filled seats al the sanctuary