Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-16
GAMBLER TOSTAY
OUT OF POLITICS
Methodist Bishop Cites Posi-
ton of Church in Civil War
as Precedent.

by the Associated Press.
ATLANTA, July i6.--Quoting hiSh-
opric precedents against participation IN
politics by the church Warren A.
Gambler. senior bishop of the Methodist
Episcopal Church South. has declared
in formal statement that personally
he sees no reason to dissent from the
position of my church on the subject
OF personal and party politics"
His statement was in answer TO THE
many letters inQuiring concerning my
position on pending matters political
and asking advice upon the same, :
Bishop Gambler said.
Beginning by quoting from a pas
toral letter Of three pioneer bishops is
sued August II, 1865. that you have
no commission TO preach politics" the
bishops statements closed by asserting
that the position of the church was in
when he witnessed his good confession
before Pontius PLATE, my kingdom is
not Of this world
Prom this established and scriptural
position Of my church, feel no DISPOSE
ton TO dissent or depart, Offer
ing no criticism of others, propose to
abide unfalteringly by this principle,
diScharging conscientiously my duties as
q citizen and fulfilling with fidelity my
commission as minister Of Jesus
Christ"
In the Spring of 1866. said Bishop
Gambler. the episcopal address before
the General Conference at New Orleans
declared. I'VE thank God that We have
so safely passed through most painful
and fiery ordeal: that the church has
preserved under His blessing her integ-
rity: that she has in no wise become
complicated with political affairs, but,
keeping in view her own high mission.
has been satisfied to perform her legiti-
mate duties"
In that expression of the non-politi-
cal mission and work of the church all
the bishops united and the conference
approved ii" said the bishop.
Some years later. Bishop Gambler
said, Bishop Enoch NJ Marvin discussed
the duty and destiny of the church.
Fifty years hence-we cannot doubt
tt-there will be a Methodist Church in
the land. in poiSe amid the factions of
the hour her children dwelling
IN peace in the South, and in the
North. in the West and in the East,
with Republican and Democrat. radical
and conservative alike calling her bless
ed. She will excite the suspicion and
hatred Of none by allying herself with
an adverse party upon issues which
arouse the passions OF the hour, but
lie outside of her proper sphere.
She win move with a grand but
quiet energy amid the affairs of men
the representative of Christ to all, the
political ally or enemy of none.'"
The bishop quoted from the address
of the bishops before the General Con-
ference at Memphis, Tenn, in 1894:
It is not smiss to repeat what has
often been declared-that our church is
strictly religious and in nowise a po-
litical body. Our sole business is to
preach and serve the kingdom of
God. As a church We are
noted related by afiliation or antagonism
to any political party. AS citizen every
man should carry his Judgment and
conscience into politics and all other
spheres of life"
Reiterating his declaration that he
sees no reason to depart from the po-
sttion that has been authoritatively
stated by the church's leaders since
the beginning of its history as q Chris
tian body. Bishop Gambler declared:
On that stand. ! cannot do other
wise =