The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-01-05

proper III Alt salitA AfdNAhAf
beloved and trusted Dy an, 10 use "a pull
pit intended Tor the spiritual lnsti tc-
ZION OF the hearers. as a platform from
which nc prOmulsates The doctrines VI
party politicians. and voices sentiments
which he knows II be repciiahI al"
Justly so, 10 many members OF his con-
grcgation. The pulpit when used thu5
is indeed, towards Castle, as IL is
cowurdly 10 attack where those VINO
are attacked cannot defend themselves
Elt at the same time We cannoi CON
sent 10 the opinion that any cll@eh GA
the United States should he deprive" "a
his privileges IS u cltizeni That any
voter ia The state OF Virginia should
be deprived OF the right o. aayin6 pup
nciy WHY DE votes in certain way
and. 81 he thinks that way 10 De iienl
TO publicly cudoayor 10 persuade ol"eI7
TO follow with him. The ministry, io'h-
ed al "a one aspect. Is profession
As such. 20 ranks with law and mculliNe.
il - never SAID that the members "a
those lasr two professions should NOT
take part ia political meetings, o. give
utterauco on such occasions 10 th'I 4o-
liucal views. only the members OF tne
first OF these professions are eAe''ne"
from their privileges as citizens.
10 is pleaded that politics are so oliIy
and any ono that knows the comm ION
of affairs ia Virginia during the Asl
election Will readily admit the ulth
of this plca-that ministers OF Goa hau
better not touch them. lest the m.n.eie-
rial Office should be s0iled by the ')A-
tact. II ever there was Eo0a reason
why tho parsOn shoCld-as cNiZen ANA
public man-enter into politics Inc oe-
plOrable condition OF this state, as eve
dcuced at the last election, IS lith rea-
son.
IL any public committee SIS olsan-
lied 10 inquire into some question ih1t
needs n certain amount or technical
knowledge. that committee OF Do ne
guided hy wise mem. Will associate with
its members certain persons ihat pos
scas that technical knowledge. IL % is
q legal question. il Will not proceed until
it has obtained the advice Of some cmi-
uelt lawyer. il 10 is a medical ques-
ton, che committee Will seek ;hc o9in-
ion of some skilled doctor. II D. is
railroad question. it Will not for et 20
consult some weii-equipped raiiroa. men,
Now. If politics be so unrignteoNi mat
the man who touches them is 30 danger
of being contaminated. tho soon'- they
are purified the better. The minister
of God IS a minister Of rightcousuess
or he is nothing al all. lie is te very
man whose duty II IS IN public life to
agitate and contend for purity 10 poll
tics The very reason given why DE
should not take part in them is 'ne very
reason why bis advice should De listened
TO- and his presence ~ polucai meetinls
welcomed by an good citizens.
one hates 10 confess IT, but IN some
respects monarchical England gives moro
liberty to her SUBJECTS than Democratic
America gives to its citizens Public
opinion ina Great Britain does not con-
denim tho clergyman who 10 the people
expresses his views as 20 matters OF
government. Tho fact that the bishops
are spiritual peers. and, as ucn. have
seats in tho House OF Lords is am adj
mission Of tho right OF the clergy 90
use an influence in politics. The Eng
fish people can never forget ono great
crisis in their history; when the Church.
i'm tho persons OF seven Of ITS chief
pastors. endured persecution for the sa-
cred cause Of liberty when. as the pa
triotic Drelatcs Jassed from tho por-
tails 81 whitehall men. women, ana
children by thousands foil on their knees
and prayed aloud that The holy courage
OF the good men might never forsake
them in their fight against tyranny and
corruption. Is the citizon Of The United
States 10 be less free than the subject
Of tho British CROWN If so. England.
not America. SIS the ianl Of tho free. we
want 60 sec tia paraon In politics. .-e
has a right ~ Ie the-e-he ought 90 Doe
.f..-- nTTTT OPP TeON