Smyrna times., 1896-09-16

The question where politics ends and
morals begin, or where the latter
enters so into the situation as to en-
gage the rightful consideration of
moral teachers from the pulpit, Is one
in which difference of locality seems
to make a wide difference of opinion.
On this Peninsula there has always
been a great jealousy of the ministry
taking part in anything out of strict
religious work, but it is not so else
where, where great moral or national
interests are at stake.
"In ''Zion's Herald" of Boston
Sept. 2 is symposium ON the topic of
| the present unusual presidential cam
paign, and what part the minister of
| the gospel shall take in it. There are
twenty-four writer's who have an
swered the editors question and the
| ministers should not only study poll
tical questions and be ready to take
the right side, that of morality and
honor, as citizens, but they should in.
struct their people in the morality OF
/ uG ubol MI4bCA 10 DAoAOl
| CYRUS d. FOss, of the Methodist Epis-
copal church. His views may be sum
med up in this quotation from his let
ter:
"Mv conviction is that, in general
the pulpit has too little to do with the
moral aspects of political questions
but that some pulpits have quite too
much to do with merely partisan poll
tics. The country ought to be stirred
from side to side by a serious anC
thoughtful discussion, as free as possible
from party rancOr of the question o
, mOnO-metallism, bi-metalallism ant
free coinage.
Bishop Foss thinks, however, tina
5 most ministers would be sure to fOrfei
I religious influence by discussing sue
rights in their sermons.
The Rev. DIR. Theodore Cuyler, c
Brooklyn, says: '"Ihe fact that sue
= a question lone affecting the mora
I character of individuals and the we
fare of the country is brought for de
cision to the ballOt-bOx only makes
more imperative that the pulpit sha
o not be silent, At such tim
! no patriotic preachers tongue shoul
be muzzled. While he should not dt
= scend to the the violent language {
:, the mere partisan, or harp continual
6 upon the political issues, yet he shoul
= calmly, earnestly and cOnscientiOQsl
- present the whole truth to the col
e sciences of his hearers"
S Rev. DIR. Macarthur, of New YOrl
. is using all his elOquence and learnin
and influence to combat the dishOnC
4 and dishonesty of the Chicago platform
y He concludes his letter thus;
Il L represent the Divine Man, al
nothing common to the men for who
He died, is foreign to the pulpit whiC
pleads in His name.
IS Another bishop, Rev. J. H. Vincen
It of the Methodist Episcopal churc
says it is the duty of every minister
the comming presidential campaign
study eandidly and critically the que
|. tiOns which the people are expected
Is their votes to answer. He needs th
p that he may deposit his own vote i
telligently and cOnscientiOusly. 1t
his duty to discuss the question in t
s. way of inquiry in private circles th
TO he may gain information for his Oy
10 sake and to direct his own polite
action. Yet he doesn't see any reas,
Oi for public discussion in the pulpit
lie the political issues of this campaig
u But he adds:
~ Let the minister preach Christ, E
loyalty to righteousness, His love
" the people, His courage and fdelit
and whatever else in His gospel til
will promote the love of justice al
abounding good will among men,
o. Bishop F. d. Huntington, of t
as Protestant Episcopal church, writes
;, quite a length on the subject. He
very conservative, but he sees how
n minister can do great deal of good
er the present conditions. He says:
he Perhaps a discreet sermon might
= delivered with profit on the wickednl
VI of political vituperation, campai
TO lying and election ISLANDERS and snee
e. in every pulpit in the United Stat
or between now and next November.
- demand for integrity, honor, inc
~ ruptibleness, brOtherly kindness, cl
et- for the weak by the strong, in off
he holders and Ofice-seekers, is in pli
of everywhere and always.
10 Rev. DIR. Homer Eaton, the sen
H agent of the Methodist Book Coneel
ed recites the perils of the nation if 1
is Chicago platform and candidates W
zee and concludes:
,or Therefore, it seems clear to me Il
- ministers Of the gospel should lift
ed their voices in the pulpit as we'll
Ill elsewhere against the threatened o.
rk. They should speak, not as politi
,os partisans, but as patriots and Christ
,1' .1 men, loving righteousness and trui
It's Rev. DR.. Hugh johnson, of Wa
co. ingtOn d. c., holds it to be the duty
cs the minister in ordinary president
~ campaigns to keep himself aloof fir
60 the discussion ofparty politics. "Bu
ia be says, ga crisis has come in the
ave fairs of the nation, and the issues
es. the election are 50 far-reaching and
=; important believe it to be the duty
i'l every minister to study profoun
len this money question and then en-
lse upon what is really a campaign of e
? a cation. He should do this, not a
H. partisan, but as a patriot.
ny The minister has a duty to soci
rst that at times forces him to take holt
ed. public questions.