Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-12-10
POLITICS IN A CHURCH.

The New York Evening Sun notes,
with expressions Of establishment, that
the Methodist Episcopal brethren are
at present engaged in rather heated
discussion concerning the filling Of
vacancies In several high ecclesiastical
positions, A number OF bishops, It
seems, are to be elected at the confer
ence next spring, and that fact has
started the excitement The lions
Herald, Boston, commenced by telling
its readers what kind Of men are need
ed, and limited at the possibility OF the
success OF inferior candidates. This
drew forth letters from clergymen. gen
orally endorsing the remarks OF the
Herald. One wrote: 80 much politics
prevails, that have no hope that the
best men viii be chosen" Has not
the general conference taught the oml-
nous lesson asked another, that II Is
possible for any man who Is able TO
body to elect him7' Already" said
another, men are asserting that they
have right or some peculiar claim
to be elected" 1.-THE general confer
ence is a mob was the starting as
sertion Of another manipulated by
few men, and goes like a flock OF sheep
where the leader indicates The few
men who control general conference
taAi1toIai Ia.
reelection and therefore never dare
act independently"
The writer's of these eplstles did not
announce themselves as the candidates
for the vacant offices. With noticeable
tact they left something to the imagI-
nation of the readers.
The lions Herald cav in the agita-
ton It had started a chance for popu-
larity, and made this novel proposition;
THAT the church AT large may know
what men are Likely to De presented to
the General Conference for the office
of bishop. we viii accept from any
minister or layman in the connection
nominations of candidates, with state
ment OF qualifications, not to exceed IN
all 200 words, The favorable presenta-
ton Of ministers for this position by
friends can do no harm TO the men
mentioned and viii give those who de-
sire so to do plenty Of time to inquire
concerning their abilities. character
and record. The names Of those who
make the nominations will not be pub
llshed, but VIII be held as evidence OF
| good faith by the editor. II sufficient
| number OF nominations are received,
they VIII be grouped in an early Issue
We do not know the inside workings
Of the denomination in question, but the
proposition looks on the face Of It as
impudent interference with the work
assigned TO the conference, and not to
the press, Some individuals. because
| they happen TO be connected with
more or less popular periodical. fancy
that their calling Is to regulate public
and private affairs, TO save state and
church from perdtiou. and to guide the
universe Itself They talk, perhaps, Of
the proper sphere for this or that instl-
tuition, but they forget that they them
selves, too, have a proper sphere to
leave which may be- arrogance.
The discussion IS a striking llustra-
ton of the one great lack Of modern
churches We cannot imagine sim
liar agitation among the first Chris
tians for places In the ministry. If not
among those Who thought the gft Of
God could be purchased for money. and
who were severely rcbuked. They had
the mfallible guidance in such matters
and could not err There was no room
for agitation except In prayer for that
guidance, The modern churches are
lacking in this respect They do not
even believe in direct divine guidance.
No wonder that they substitute pol.
| ties for revelation.