The sun., 1899-10-15
The Clergy and Politics.


religion and theology to discuss or dogma
tie about large public questions outside OF
their strictly professional sphere, it be-
hooves them, II they would not impair con-
fidence in the Church itself, to be careful
that they justify the excursion by the Pc
culiar wisdom OF their utterances. They
must not forget that in the pulpit, sur
rounded by all the adjuncts, accessories
and accomplishments Of impressive relig-
ious worship they have an advantage which
they lose altogether when they come down
to debate on the same plane with men who,
to command respect for their arguments
and disputations, must rely wholly on their
inherent intellectual strength and substan-
tial equipment of knowledge. An intellect
ual product which would be too poor and
feeble for the forum will often pass muster
In the pulpit, with the help of clerical robes
a dim religious light and voice which can
give to commonplace the impressive solem-
nifty Of almost inspired wisdom.
The clergy need to be warned Of that
danger, more especially at the present time,
because there is now widespread disposi-
ton among them to substitute pure philan-
thropy for religion, and to regard the dis
cussion OF social and even political ques-
tions as necessarily appertaining to their
Office. The religious theory that the great
question Of all concerns this life only so far
as it is preparatory to the life to come, as a
probationary state merely, seems to have
been abandoned by them to an extent which
suggests doubt as to their continued faith
in it. They are quick to seize an oppor-
tunty to prescribe something else than
the old religious remedy or compensation
for all human Ills, though We are obliged
to confess that rarely do they show pro-
found knowledge or notable skill as prac-
titioners Of tho secular art.
This deficiency has been made strikingly
manifest in some Of the speeches and pa
pers at the Episcopal Church Congress in
session at st. Paul. A leading subject OF
discussion there, for instance, was i'm
perialism." and 1t was introduced by a paper
from Bishop POTTER. 1t Is excusablo in the
Bishop that the pressure Of his multifarious
duties In the great diocese OF New York
does not permit his giving to q subject Of
30 profound Importance the careful and
! original reflection its adequate treatment
by a man SO conspicuous requires. His
paper, therefore, indicated haste In its
preparation and superficial thought, and 1t
made evident that his sources OF Informa-
tion were casual only, and chiefly those
which are rendered valueless for the pur-
poses Of the statesman by partisan malig-
nifty and misrepresentation. His foundation
ofgeneral historical study seemed also insult
/ flcient to sustain his argument and his essay
at philosophy. The paper suggested in fine,
! that he would have been more prudent IL
he had not lmperilled respect for the epis-
copal dignity and authority by departing
| from his purely religious sphere.
We will give only q single indication OF his
method in discussing tho subject, but it Is
sufficient to Justify what we have said In
! speaking OF our relations with the Philip
| pines, he relied solely on hearsay and on
chiefly discredited newspaper evidence; but
this special insult to his country, through its
President, goes even to the extreme Of the
most hippant writer:
| He 1.-THE Presdontl happens usually, with u.s. TO
have task hand-hGt OF securing his own reelec-
| ton-which naturally RbSorbs q large share Of h q
time. How can he be expected TO neglect It for tho
care Of some islandS-mAinly psoplsd az he
is told uhough unfortunately for him. incorrectly
with lot Of ignorant little 'niggsrsf Or. rather,
| II he must give them some sort Of attention. how
l. can hs make Asdr conquest and OaysuAmsat msAas