The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-04-23
NORFOLK LOCAL NEWS
PULPIT VS.. REL o aM POLITICS.
What Eureka Has TO say on the Sub
Ject-True Duty of Gods Ministers.


Editor of Virginian:
In following up the subject of Church
versus State" which was considered u /
some length in The VitEinian not long
ago, the next thought that naturally and
logically follows Is that couched in the
heading of this article.
The spirit of Mammon laas so invaded
the lines of ecclesiastical domain and
tainted the sacred things precious in
tEe sight of the Lord and essential In
cleansing the souls of men and purifying
their lives that an era is fast dawning
on the world when the anxious inquirer
for the right and safe ways will not
know whittier to go TO find food for the
soul. The great interest of eternal saliva
ton would seem to be secondary in Inn
portance to the secular affairs OF State
that pertain to politics first. last and
forever. and that cannot be discussed
and advocated in the pulpit without
dragging preacher and laitv into politi-
cal partizanry. This spirit and practice
on the part of the clergy has now reach
ed the stage Of spiritual declension and
worldly interest where 1t is allowa BILE for
the question. What are his politics"
to have much to do with his acceptability
and usefulness. and where it is common
dable In the preacher on his advent 10
declare his political platform. II Is n
sad state of affairs in the ugly phases
litical parties and ready to destroy the
elements rather than to Inspire love for
tho Lord Jesus Christ and charity, pity
for the erring and to Instruct the people
how TO influence the inalienable right to
exercise will power Their than 20 incite
war against such things as jugs, demi
johns and strset-corner shops, which will
not be called to judgment to give ac-
count for the deeds done in the body
Not that God approves OF wrong, nor
the Christian, but how does God proceed
against wrong and how should the man
of God?
"Rerorm" what does the pulpit mean
by the term? Shall 1t apply to Norfolk
or the state. or the world? This nine
tenth century demands something born
of truth. something that will complete
the formula that will contain a panacea
for the disease of the race. Did hear
The preacher say i"Reform Politics" Is
what the term means? Yes. Wen, here
comes witness to take the stand. H.;
says: Il have heard the word used for
two years by the advocates of the cause
the mouths OF the ignorant. the profanc
swearer. the man with Inns foul with
tobacco juice and breath taintsd with
fumes of whiskey and the man that Is
conspicuous by his absence at church.
all use the word as the shibboe:h to
IA new political party. And every one
is as bad to-day as he was when he
first heard 1t from the pulpit. All these
respond Amen to Reform for there is
mammon enough In it 10 feed sectional
prejudice. love of office and thirst for
gain and worst of all to carry enough
worldly contamination to soil the sac
redotal robes from which should proces d
tEe gospel truth, Pure religion and
indebted before God and the Father
ls-to keep unspott=d from the world "
But the idea Is to establish q political
~
nf principle from the standpoint of the
Views of church as to right and wrong
and enforce such practice on the cit!-
zens as TO make them at once good pco-
pl. and for all practical purposes, as
good as members of the church. More
over. a political party so pure and pa
triotic rha: It's adherentS would serve The
State and fill Office just through patriot
.sm without the influence of monetary
considerations, and lastly a party thai;
would so carry ont the design of the
church as 10 remove all objects coca sion-
ing temptation to sin and necessity for
salf-denial and cross bearing and ulti-
mately to leave no mora work for the
pulpit and for that noble organizat ton.
the w. c. r. u. which two institutions
will be needed as long as the world
stands TO do grand and glorious work
IN their proper spheres.
And the idea is monstfous mistake
ana mlSchieNOuS ueIuS!On. II is the
mushroom of II morbid fana ticism rather
than the fruit of hsalthv faith and
sound doctrine. This world will never
s:e political party established that will
effect the work that pertains to he pull
pit.
Reform. - Does the pulpit indorse and
advocate the work as IL shows for Itself
over any period Of time In this political
gime? Is the city clean? And tn
outcnsts purified Though the approved
means and methods? Yes. they say
much has been done. Come up here wit
ness ana tell what are the facts in The
case. There has been as much drink
ing as ever. The places have been
changed. If not increased. AS much pro-
family as ever. AS much RIGHTEOUSNESS as
ever; places have been changed the
sores have been opened and the virus
has been inocculated all about on the
body and disease is breaking out all
over the city. The cry CONES up from
suffering. humanity. wretched souls and
disguised city, do some thing for US"
and the pulpit cries. Reform" The
party cries Reform" and the political
conditions under the circumstances find
q reproof and condemnation in the words
Of Christ: But whefeupto shall / liken
this generation? Ii is like unto children
sitting In the markets and calling unto
their fellows. and saying we have piped
unto you, and ye have not danced: we
have mourned unto you, and We have not
lamented." The American nation needs
something, tbs human race needs some
thing and Norfolk needs something Blu.
the Drea ching of reform Politics. won't