The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1908-05-21
An Agitation IN Which Ministers lnjure
Churches.

An Agitation IN Which Ministers lnjure
Churches.
The following communication pub
lished in the Nashville American, has
made strong impression upon the
people. 1t was written by Judge Jas.
A. Jones, of Woodbury., Tenn, man
of clean character, upright in every
walk of life, the president Of the local
bank and a leader in good words and
good works. 1t is written from deep
conviction of right and not from pro.
noting a political campaign:
Woodbury., Tenn, May IA.
To the Editor of The American:
In my opinion the action of preachers
in converting their pulpits into polite
al platforms, from which to make polit-
ical speeches, is doing the church and
religion more harm than all the whisky
in the state. No minister can take an
active part in politics from his pulpit
without dividing his congregation and
lessening his influence for good. Again,
no man, whether minister, lawyer,
merchant or farmer can become excited
in politics without neglecting his regu-
lar business.
When was younger, l took an active
part in every political contest, neglect.
ed my business, said and did many
things that l regretted when the ex-
citement was over, and then would re-
solve l would never act the fool again.
But as | was an active worker, put my
whole heart and soul into everything |
undertook, and was considered man
OF some influence, the partisans of the
party with which l affiliated would
make such appeals to me that l was in
duced, from time to time, to forget my
resolution and act the fool again-jus'
as thousands of Others are doing today
Some of the hardest work | ever die
was in aiding to abolish saloons in my
own town. In fact, | advocated anC
voted for the con sttutiensl amendmen
to prohibit the sale of whisky in thi
state about twenty years ago. Blu
notwithstanding my record on the tenn
perance question, and Notwithstanding
I have been a member of the church TO
fifty years, and have contributed NOR
to the church than what | paid in take
to support the state, county and school
because I will not vote for Mr. Carmack
man who was with the saloon an
whisky element when was on the 9th
: er side, | am denounced as a whisk
= man, vile sinner by preachers VIII
have taken the lead in this canvass.
. Now, l have great respect for tn
8 ministry in their place. believe it t
3 be the highest calling in life, and ha
rather be good consecrated ministe
: than to he governor of the state, bu
l when q preacher gets down from hl
t high calling and converts his pulp
D into q political platform, have les
( respect for him than I have for petit
q Jogging lawyer who is disgrace to b
8 profession.
: Who is this man Carmack that tt
: preachers are holding up as saint an
9 worthy example to be followed and en-
Q ulated by the rising generation? HI
9 he been a sober man, and consistel
IF member of the church? Has he been
}. man OF peace? Did he challenge Coli
q to fight duel? A challenge was Sc
and accepted, and therefore he is mo
is ally guilty-yet preachers (so-calle
10 are telling the women and childr'
II that Carmack is the kind of man +
d them to honor, and for the rising ge
'r Grafton to pattern after, and all tho
10 who do not do so are reprobates al
y whisky heads.
eS Is it any wonder that sensible, co
of servative, thinking men are disgust
ID with the ministry? have said it, a
al 1 will adhereto it, that l never contri
as ute another dollar to the support of
re minister who profanes his pulpit
es political discourses or speeches.
K. they have no more respect for the hot
Q. of God, they are not entitled to
o. support of those who do. This m
e. sound harsh, but when see those W
,r- should be leaders of the flock, takinI
M course that is. in my opinion, det
tn mental to the church, to peace and h
all mony, 1 feel that l ought, as chris
lee an, to enter my protest.
I'd These being my honest sentime
IN and convictions, and always havi
in had the courage to carry out my c.
on victions, have no hesltancy in sign
be my name to this article.
nd JAMES A. JONES
at -.~~-.
Do. Calii0rnian's Luck.