The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1936-12-04
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By KELLY MILLER


the things that are his. was the
scwift rejolnder Of Jesus to the
Pharisees who framed a query cal-
culated to engulf him in an em-
barrassment from which ne could
not extricate himself. This sem
tentious response contains as much
wisdom as has ever been compact
ed into sixteen words. No wonder
that after this the confused Phar-
:sees burst not ask him any fur
Their questions.
According to our theory of gov
eminent. church and state occupy
separate sphere and exercise sep
arate functions. The state is de-
signed for the political govern
ment of the people. and the church
for their spiritual governance. On
the whole both church and state
have been satisfied to exercise
their several functions without oy-
erIapping or interfering with the
other.
A Catholic Journal, comment
ing on the last presidential cleo
ton, stated that there are sc. 900
Catholic priests in America. Of
these, II, 99S were content to Il
nit their activities to the moral
and spiritual welfare of the peo-
pie, leaving the field of politics to
the politicians. Protestant minis
tiers. as rule, have stuck to their
religious function of moral and
spiritual guidance.
Unfortunately, the Negro min
isters, in large numbers have fail
ed to observe this distinction, and
have brought discredit upon their
calling. Let me hasten to say that
I am not indulging in a blanket
condemnation. There are thous-
ands of Negro ministers who have
been content to lead their congre-
cations along the path of truth
and righteousness, esehewing the
devious path of politics. But, a
sufficient number have dabbled IN
politics to put the whole calling in
bad repute. But no politician, how
ever corrupt or brazen, would
thing of offering political bride to
Bishop Daniel A. Payne or Rev
Francis ]. Grimke than of offer
ing an insult to a virttous woman
While the majority of Negro min
isters have never bowed their
knee to The Baal of political graft
or defiled their fingers with the
Ifilthy lucre Of politics, yet small
number taints the reputation of
the whole fraternity. No house,
keeper would buy BASKET of eggs
upon the assurance of the grocer
that the majority of them are
sound.
It is too painful to recite recent
instances in which ministers in
high ecclesiastical standing have
brought disgrace and discredit up
on themselves and their denoDoin-
alton by yielding to the power and
pelf Of crooked politics.
In the recent campaign the pub
lie press carried the names of
our highest ecclesiasts who figure
on political payrolls. The names
of bishops are to be found on the
| list. The ranking prelate of the
great Baptist denomination was
in charge Of the machinery Of one
of our greatest political parties.
Let it be hoped for the good name
of this distinguished divine and
for the honor of his denomination
that not one penny Of the corrup-
ton fun6 stuck to his personal
fingers. Both parties are equally
guilty of filthy lucre. If the Re-
publican party proved to be the
greater sinner, it is merely be-
cause it has the greater corrup-
ton fund. Whenever minister
Of the gospel, Of high or humble
station, takes advantage of his
ecclesiastical standing to promote
partisan politics for his own per-
sonal advantage, he disgraces the
sacred office where unto he is
called.
The minister of the gospel, in
his personal capacity as a citizen,
has all the political and public
rights which any other citizen en-
joys. But when he exploits his
spiritual position to enhance his
personal influence in politics, es-
pecially when he profits personal
ly by the enhancement, he should
replace the cross he wears upon
his vestment with a scarlet letter
Of shame and dishonor. These po-
litical parsons, of high or low de-
gree, need to ponder seriously the
scriptural admonition, rye cannot
serve Cod and Mammon."
The climax Of disgrace was
reached in the state of Maryland
where circular letter containing
five dollars as a gentle persuador,
was sent to 400 Negro clergymen
of that state by the Grand Old
Party. Many Of these ministers
rave congregations of over 500
members, the purchase price in