The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1896-06-16
PREACHERS AND POLITICS.

public political views have been re.
ferred to with more or less disrespect.
Some say ministers should not med
die with politics; they have enough to
do to preach the gospel, a d it may be
that some have been obser wing this
rule, and this is the reason why there
is so little gospel in some political
views.
contend that political views and pc.
litical practices are right or they are
wrong. II they are right, where is the
wrong in a minister to preach and en-
! courage right and truth7 If they are
wrong has n minister any Bible au-
thority to be quiet and hold his tongue
and so let the wrong go on? Is he not
a watchman upon the walls to give the
| alarm when any danger to the body,
! to the happiness and property of the
/ human family as well as danger to the
soul; for the irnpairiug Of the financial
| prosperity Of a country is impairing
! It's moral, educational and religious
| prosperity. Therefore 1 believe that
every minister is in duty bound to look
after the financial aud temporal hap
| Diuess of the country in which he lives.
Many preachers advocate prohibi-
ton, for which | believe they Will have
many stars added to their crown Of
rejoisirg in the next world, but how
many will speak OUT against the cen
traction of currency which is bringing
about as much hunger and starvation
to our country as Thel:quor traffic. Il
one evil is wrong then The other must
be.
But what are politice2 Webster
gives two definitions:
1st. The science Of government;
the protection of its citizens in their
rights, with the preservation and im-
provement OF their morals.
2nd. *** The contest Of parties for
power.
This second and incorrect or loose
view is perhaps the idea that some
men get and hold as the definition of
politics; end if this is ell that preach
ers, or anyone else, a gee in them,
then I say they should forever hold
their peace On this subject. It is not
for Office or party power for which !
am 50 politically jealous, but it is for
better principles politically and finan
cially, as we'll as r~ellgiously. For Ii
minister silently to tolerate drunken
ness, profanity, extortiOn, oppression,
etc, is TO consent to them or to bid
such things Godspeed. Against such
to cry aloud and spare go person, party
or nation that is guilty of the same
The contraction of currency or the
single gold standard may now be to
the financial advantage of saIaried
men, but if it continues, the time will
come when parishioners willnot be able
pay the same amount Of dollars 10 a
salary, because it will take about twice
those dollars, and the result will be
that the members cann)t pay their
assessments; and it may b5 that you
will have them thrown out Of the
church and preach their souls % tor
ment, while if you advocate the gold
standard you first preach poverty and
starvation upon them and then preach
them to torment because they are not
able to pay the preachers salary.
The Grs5 and correct view Of politics
should be taken; the rights and morals
of the citizens should be preserved,
and you must help do SO or sin against
God. You need not preach or vote a
party into Office, but you should advo
vocate the morals and rights Of our
citizens independent of any party and
when you go the balloJ box practice
what you preach.
Who does not know the condition of
u country TO day, with thousands of
families with poverty and starvation
locking in at the door, and the contr8c
ton OF currency through the gold
standard, the principle Cause, and the
money mOnaTChs on their thrones with
many party servants trying to drive
the laborers of our nation into ali ct
slavery by advocating dearer money.
With these facts before US, on the one
side, and on the other the cries of poor
children and respondent mothers en-
tering the ears OF the Lord Of Sabaoth
shall I hold my pen or tongue On this
important reform subjact2 God for
bid, for I believe that [ am doing a
Christian duty and pref ching the gos
pei in advocating such a reform. Many
Of our ministers hear the cries of the