The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1896-10-08
PULPIT AND POLITICS.
LET PREACHERS HAVE THEIR
SAY.
But Let Them Say Right.

But Let rnem DAY 118As'
Nesu York Journal.
It is not apparent that the clergy, SO
many of whom have taken hand IN
this campaign, have added much there
hv to the sum total OF sweetness and
light. Though it is their mission to
promote peace ON earth and good Will
among men, the brethren usually nave
only to utter themselves on political
subjects in order to stir up strife where
no strife was before, and to double the
ardor of strife where strife already Is.
The reasons for this are obvious enough.
i The Journal would not for an instant
uphold the narrow doctrine that cler-
eyman has no right to speak his mlno
as citizen on the Issues OF the day.
: but It does contend that the shepherd
who chooses the pulpit as the place
. wherein to air his private opinions as
4 to things pertaining strictly to this
: world is guilty of presumption that de-
: serves rebuke.
In matters of the spirit n
: clergy possesses practical monopoly
y of authority, and being specially COM
e missioned to disclose the designs and
y desires of Deity, they are commonly
listened to with respect which some
y times causes the vain among them 10
le confuse their personal with their Official
IS character. Thus are these brethren
+ moved to think that there is due them
20 as great reverence when they holo
g forth on politics as when they expound
e. the GOSPEL of Christ. And when this
't' bannens. not devotion, but anger wakes
10 hot in the pews
e. There are few classes of men so little
O. qualified os the clergy to pronounce
a. profitable Judgment on issues that have
II to do with purely earthly affairs ike
be no,itics. Habituated to immunity
from contradiction while they discourse
10 on religion, and generally spared from
es' criticism because of their sacred chaf'
we acter. there is proneness among them
III to dogmatism of tone that Is sometimes
Sc oxasnerating, sometimes amusing. Or
's- dinarily men OF the WORTH "'0 t
ch - take from the pulpit their theology
lad ona aven their theoretical system o
in oersonal morality, but they DO not VIII
lth natience receive instruction 1roln ~
ach preacher how to do business, how the
Ible sh.,, vote on the tariff, the finances
last on ANYTHING else; for in the domain
,en- Tho worlds concerns the man OF u
side world f1atters himself not un]ustly I'LL
Ger he ought to know good oeai 'no
lev than his unworldly parson.
rem DIT the brethren who insist on q
mo universal schoolmasters TO 'ne
narishioners plead that when MOI
Questions are brought into politics IL
tho;r dutv to cry aloud and spare N
This is seductive reasoning 1or
yolu- brings within the purview OF the p
J sur nit the whole circle of human lntere
COM what question can appear In pol'
pike that has not moral SIDE 10 III
d Of tariff has our foreign policy too
e, in .ha maintenance of the gold STANDS
# the witch silver advocates believe,
hing the poor for the benefit OF the RI
unced ~. double standard, which, gold &C
on of .a+os believe, would rob the rich
thor Tho benefit OF the poor. The prea(
ways. who wishes to magnify his office
ks of coo morals in anything that affects
t road ~ooo-aven in billiards, baseball,
The s;7a Of pollcemen's clubs, or the
hallow forms of street sweepers.
edges There Is no sound objection &c
gentle nnlpit having its say>.abo"t poll''c
wouio sues; it is the manner OF i's "a
III the that, as rule, Is offensive -
'elelves brethren would but bear In mlno
saving when they step outside the field Oh
he ex- o,or,, thew sneak with no more au
se per- itv than citizens who 90 ho' "o1'
cloth. and that their words are eh
9ss car o,]v to the weight which the
would ,.otor of the speaker earn
ven lar "i'>' ona ot that arroe
IDS will there "o''l'' oo f .,,ro1
effect a that assumption VI SUP
in time riority IN wisdom Whlch causoo II
injected .o in and out OF the church'
Will be 'o.' o.,owa in wonder al
heapen- ralse '''o'' ..,,o +neir he
ting In egotlsm' anu W ,aoo;
It COM regret at impertlnence ~
age and and 50 injurious to the cause Oh
in % TINS ion, which should be dearer to IL IL
trans ' nit than the success OF any pc
IN with plo ..'"
If the pai"''
ron roads .,.a ree+imonv
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