Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1909-03-09
The Preacher in Politics.
(NewS and Courier.) }

day, Mr.. Taft paid high tribute to
the ministry. In the early days
throughout this country, and par
ticularly in New England, the min
listers exercised most powerful in
fluence which was OF distinctly DO
litical character" At that time New
England, as Mr.. Taft said, might
almost be called 'theocracy,'" and
the minister in the community was
the highest authority as to what the
law should be and how it ought to
be enforced. Great changes have
come since that day. "Then the min
istry, because of the rewards in the
way of influence, power and promi-
nence attracted the ablest of educat-
ed minds" but there has been a radi-
cal change in the position and influ-
ence of the ministry. The spirit Of
education and Independent thinking,
the wide diffusion Of knowledge and
news by the press, the increased re-
wards and influence of other voca-
tions have all had their effect in at
tracing much of the best talent of
the country from the ministry to
other pursuits. Mr.. Taft believes
that the profession of the ministry
ought to have a very direct effect
upon the conditions in this world
rather than be wholly confined to
the concerns of the next, and he re-
CARDS it as a distinct loss to society
that the ablest young men are not
seeking the ministry, but he does
not think that the pulpit has lost its
influence upon the public conscience.
He thinks that the ministers have not
always been discreet, that the ten
dency among some of their number
who have taken part in political af-
fairs and in seeking governmental
reforms has been to demand too
close a realization of their ideals and
an unwillingness to give up the ac-
complishment Of some for decided
progress in Others" and just to the
extent that they have done so does
he think that they have placed a linn
itation upon their usefulness.
That is all very we'll said and very
interesting. "No matter how excel
lent his motives" says the New York
Sun in speaking of the political ac-
tivities OF the minister, che is often
in no position to direct a layman as
to politics. Perhaps it would be just
to say that the laity has risen rather
than that the clergy has fallen" This
is practically the idea that Mr.. Taft
had in his mind. But the minister
has always been regarded in this re-
gion as set apart for a particular
work. He cannot be merchant, or
q lawyer, or a broker, or a mechanic
because his relation to the commu-
nifty is sacred and, therefore, in
large sense wholly spiritual. This
was the view, at any rate, that OBJ
tanned in South Carolina uader the
Constitution OF 1890, which contains
this explicit and wholesome declara-
ton:
Section 23. And, whereas, the
ministers Of the Gospel are, by their
profession, dedicated to the service
of God and the cure of souls, and
ought not to be diverted from the
great duties of their function; there
fore, no minister Of the Gospel, or
public preacher, of any religious per-
suasion, whilst he continues in the
exercise Of his pastoral functions,
shall be eligible to the office Of Gov
ernor, Lieutenant Governor, or to
seat in the Senate or the House of
Representatives"
That declaration was written into
the Constitution of this State one
hundred and nineteen years ago, and
we doubt that anything has been
gained for good living, lofty think
ing and high purpose since the
preachers In this State began to take
an active part in practical politics
Has there been any Improvement, in
fact, In the character Of our citi-
zenship, In the ability and integrity
OF our public servants, in the effect
iveness OF our legislation, in the ad-
ministration of our public affairs
since the interdict upon clerical par
ticipation in politics was removed in
South Carolina?