The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1895-10-31
RELIGIOUS READING.
SHOULD cLEnoYnKS 90 INTO Politics.

SHOULD cLEnoyNEN 90 INTO POLITICS.
The Boston Globe recently printed sym.
postum on the above subject. Hon Elijah A
Morse, NJ. c., from Massachusetts, In discuss.
ing the question said "1f by that you mean
should they take an active interest In public
affairs, should they speak and preach upon
great moral issues which arc under consider.
alton by the state legislature or by Congress
should they attend the caucuscs and 20 to
the polls and voto2 Ianswer most certainly
yes.
Surely tho watchman on the walls OF Zion
should love his country, should love his flag
should be jealous OF her honor. should desire
her prosperity and advancement. And ccr-
tainly when great moral issues are at stake
~ thev very often arc III state aud national
legislation he should not fail to initiate the
prophet OF Israel. and lit up his voice like o
trumphet aud cry aloud and spare not
During our revolutionary struggle. when
the whole country was in dire distress and
when the people madc great sacrifice. ne
men were more Interested In our politicn.
welfare, and IN the success of the American
arms, or had more TO do with shaping the
honcy and destiny OF the Young republic
than the clergymcn Of New England.
In the early history OF New England the
minister OF the town or city was the adviser
and councilor in all the affairs OF the people
Ana II was tho practice of the legislature
which was continued down to recent time
uti'iN filt'IibE upon tnplr uUtlpS TO 90 To the
house OF God and hear what was known u,
the election sermon And on that o 81 ion
the legislator learned from the man ,f ,ind
To legislaic IN his fear, and that all pontica
ana human laws should bo based on divine
commands.
And who shall say that Massachusetts, the
mother ot states, does not owe her prcemi
nence anl her wise and Just laws to tho polit.
cal influence OF her clergy
And in our later history. during the great
struggle Tor the union, which resulted IN IN,
overthrow OF slavery, the adoption OF the
amendments to the constitution guaranteeing
clNil rights, the clrry of the country bore ~
mem or unimportaut part.
On tho other hand. ii your question asks
shall the clergyman go on the stump duriua
political campaigns. and discuss the tarin
ana innncc ana purely business questions
1 should say no. He had better leave that
Held to public men known a. politicians
III short, the pulpit and the clergy arc not
supposed To- have To do directly with candi-
dates aud with business questions. The
clergyman sparishioucfs are divided on these
questions, aud he cannot take sides on them
without giving oncnsc. resulting In division
and discord in the church. But on great
moral questions. like anti.slavery. temperance
Mormonist, anti-lOttefy, laws regulating
marriage and divorce the defense
OF tho FREQ unsecretarian public schools.
laws Tor the protection of cha,
tity, Tor the suppression of gambling aud
lotteries. law, to promote the settlement of
disputes by arbitration. the enforcement of
law ana order showing respect for and on
cournging public officials IN the discharge oi
their duties on all these questions the pulpit
and the man OF God can aud should spcaL
with no uncertain sound.