The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-02-24
Is the Preacher n Citizen?
Editor OF The Yirgintan:

! Editor of The Virginfan:
Sir,-A certain class of people have
tendency to criticise a preacher for
expressing his views or taking any
leading part in matters that concern
the public welfare. In matters pure
~ political. matters that tend to the
settlement of questions of party sue
cess or the success of certain party
men in the conduct of governmental
affairs, in such the preacher should
NOT Fubfically discuss or take an ac-
tive part in discussing. But surely
he has perfect right TO his opinion
as to certain measures, and can vote
Tor such and for any candidate he
chooses, lie Is a citizen as well as a
preacher, he is a taxpayer as well as
minister, and thereby interested in
the good Of his community and In
the proper taxation of property. The
preacher Is subject to the law and
protected by II; he therefore has a
right TO express his opinion as voter
whenever laws are to be made touch
ing the assessment of his property
or the protection of his life The mer-
chant, the farmer, the teacher the
mechanic, the doctor. lawyer and the
preacher belong to the same class of
citizenship when the subjects that be-
long to the community, the State or
nation are before the public. AS we
say, there are some people who ear
nestly contend that preachers have
no part in the discussion of public
matters, and some even go so far as
TO claim that Christian men should
not get mixed up IN politics" For
some reason. long continued custom,
perhaps, the legal fraternity has had
a Kind of monopoly in the discussion
1 of great issues and in making the
: laws both of our legislatures and of
Congress Possibly this custom has
obtained, because of the better edu-
cation of the young men in the prep
aration for the bar in years past. But
is Ii not true that our youth to-day
is being educated for every service in
life2 Merchants are just as compe-
-teat-taffd many -eeses-faF- more
so) to represent their communities.
either in the state Legislature or in
Congress. as lawyers. 50 with many
farmers, bankers. doctors OF meehan-
les, men thoroughly educated and
trained along practical business lines.
Lawyers are not always the best law
makers. But we are not advocating
at all the entrance of the preachers
into practical politics or to run for
public office. He might by 80 doing
be injured as q minister of the gospel
--nt might destroy nlS TtilElbus pow
err or lose interest In his particular
service as a preacher. The question
I'VE wish to ask Is this; IT, the
event that great issues may arise, in
volving the moral, mental and physi-
cal condition of the people with
whom he lives and labors. where
should the preacher stand? Permit
me to illustrate: A dread disease
breaks out in his community; must
( he remain at home and refrain from
! helping the authorities. If need be,
to drive out the scourge2 The school
near his home needs some help from
him once and a while as teacher:
must he refuse to lend his aid. IL pos
sil,Ie.-iFa- the mental development -af
! the oh ldren that attend such SCHOOL,
| The purity. sanctity and moral safety
/ of every home in his neighborhood
appeals to him; must he ignore such
appeals? When a question comes up
in his community purely for the sue
cess of certain political party or
man. the preacher. because of his Of
flee, should be exceedingly careful in
his public speech and conduct care
ful n expressing his personal views
upon such measures or men or par
ties. He has a perfect right to have
his opinion and to go to the polls
and vote just as he pieases. But
when the question comes up in his
community relating to the health.
mental development or the safety,
purity and moral status of his neigh
bors. the preacher who closes his lips
or lodges A discussion of such meas
ures fails to appreciate his high Of
fee as a preacher of righteousness,
God save Virginia from, such a spine
less ministry!
Christian men have permitted the
very worst element in their commun-
tiles many times to take charge of
affairs and run the politics" of said
community just as they pleased. The
Christian portion OF our voters here
In Virginia have been very plainly
told that such measures as suited the
party" or was endorsed by the
"boss'' must pass. land preachers and
church members must take back
seat or words to that effect. We
firmly believe that there are good
men enough in the two great po-
litical parties in the State. II given q
half chance. that would purify both
parties and compel them to nomi-
nate the best men, morally as well as
mentally, for Office. and demand OF
them the legislation that may be nee
essary in accordance with honesty,
morality and civic purity. II 1t is
impossible to have purity and old
fashion honesty in State politics un-
der present conditions. cannot the
people. not the practical politicians,
not the officehoiders or ofYiceseekers,
but the voters of Virginia, ask. as
we have a right. to express our views
at the polls upon any question that
relates to the moral, mental or ply
steal welfare OF our State?
Take the saloon question:! The IL