The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-08-22
Wednesday, Aug. %, 1900.
..Grea, Respect for the Preachers

Last Monday, Messrs. Frank B. Gary ana
A. Howard Patterson declared on the stump
here that they had great respect Tor that class
OF people known as preachers OF the gospel
but this class of citizens was wanting In In,
formation In politics and economies, au9
while the preachers were good citlzens a5u
meant we'll. IL was dangerous lor tne pouy
polite to follow their lead when 1mportant
ppoiticaI questions were in volved. These two
candidates for governor. however, nad gleaE ~
respect for the preachers, ont tnelr lqeas OF
government we're theoret'iasi s iba anu neonia ware
SO foolish as to accept their political theories
and adopt them. >, n,
IL seems to us that Mr.. Gary and Mr.. Pat
terson presumed too much when they tossed
the little bone of great respect for the
preachers" at the clergy of THIS STATE, ana
then took the opportunity TO tell them that
they were weak class OF cltlZens outsiue VI
the pulpit and that their opinions were
worth nothing ia affairs OF State and should
be confined to the creeds and governments OF
the church.
tits not out OF place hele to remind these
gentleman that while preachers are educated
In theology there are many broad minded
preachers in this State who have well oalanc:
ed m inds and who can grasp and solve greai
questions of State without prejudice ano
without demagogical leering TO one side or the
other A preacher who devotes his lie 10 the
ministry serves his fellow man as no othel
man can, II be be pure man, and u ne @ oe
broad minded. he studies the great questions
of State az well as church and he Is rs well II
not better qualified TO reach correct conclus.
ions than the politician whose ioremosl
thought is to catch popular wave anu rloe
into office. Especially is this true where
great moral questions are In issue whlch oeal
directly on the home and family.
D., Because the preachers as q class 40 no'
accumulate money bv trade. by throwing
themselves into doubtful channels OF fspecula'
tionI and growing rich from The lost toll o.
other men, that is no reason why they snouio
not lbe capable of solving great problems In
economies and presenting them In such shape
as will result in practical good for the people
'qreat respect for the preachers" 1s beautl
full text for politician TO take 70 tell tnt
masses what q weak class OF cltlZens tne
preachers are.-Greenwood journal.
Upon which the Press and Banner would
remark:
There are two classes OF persons that neeo
never 60 on the defensive, namely:
l. Modest women.
2. Preachers who remain In their chosen
profession.
Whenever either transcends their prescrlo
ed limits OF usefulness. they may become
subjects Of criticism.
1t is clearly the duty and privilege OF the
minister OF the gospel TO preach temperance
and sobriety as a principle and as a rule o
lie. But when they enter the arena of poll
tics the great mass Of men regard them, tt
that extent at least, as having thrown aside
their srcred robes TO dabble In dirty pools
When they do that then they deserve anc
generally receive as much respect as is pait
TO other politicians.
Ifs preacher may enter politics, why ma!
not layman discuss tn eology?