Year: 1862

that every patriot and every christian should
be glad to see it removed. But most New
England clergyman are also Republicans,
and here the trouble begin Republicanism
involves two very distinct elements first that
slavery is an evil, wherein we are all agreed;
and, second, that the Republican method of
dealing with slavery is the true one; wherein
we are not all agreed by any means. But
the Republican clergymen cannot or will not
see The distinction. In their view, the man
who is not Republican is not opposed to
slavery; is pro slavery in short. And this
narrowness and intolerance comes from tha
fact that he mistakes emotion for insight
moral instincts for intellectual perception-a
mistake der which the universal New Eng
land mind is now suffering.


A religious congregation is not and ought
not to be formed on the ground Of unity in
political faith. The same religious truths
the same warnings, expostulations, encour-
agements, cOnsoIations-are to be addressed
to Wings, Democrats and Native Americans.
Before the throne Of God these distinctions
melt away like those of station, wealth or
dress. 1t is one of the most beautiful ele,
ments in the christian faith that it brings
together men who on secular topics differ
most widely. In the congregation Of the
oyer Jealous Republican clergyman there will
he, or may be, some persons who are not
Republicans. They are just as conscientious


in their anti republicanism as he Is in his
Republicanism. But they are constantly ex-
posed to the chances of hearing their con-
victons denounced, their motives impugned


and having their blood stirred up by insult
ing nsinuaions. They are obliged to sit
still and hear clerical dogmatist, from his
vantage ground Of the pul pit, attack them
with tlimsy arguments, whose faIacy they
have long since detected, and could easily
show if it were proper place for discussion
They are sent home in frame of mind any
thing but pleasant if not muttering half
suppressed curses between their teeth. The
natural result follows: they refuse to 60 to
church where they are visited by denuncia.
tion and eXasperated by abuse.


Nor do we put the objection to political
preaching solely on the ground that such
preaching ottends the earnest political con
vic,jons Of portion of the congregation
and thus keeps them away from church,
The objection exists in hardly less force as
to that part of the congregation, who may
agree with the preacher in his views. The
preachers duty is to teach religion and not
politics. The general sentiment Of the pub
lie would discountenance clergyman who,
instead OF sermons should give essays on
agriculture, or political economy, on Dictates
on the use and abuse of medicines; why
should such latitude be given to partisan
politics. Laymen do not wish on Sunday to
have their thoughts disturbed and their
tenpers tried by the heating discussions and
jarring conflicts of the past six days. They
90 into the house of God to escape from
them,


.Sleep, sleep, to-day tormenting cares,


OF elrth and folly horp."


is T. hearts natural language. On Sunday
y man seeks to clear the soul clear Of the
dust and soil of earth, and to garnish it with
pure thoughts, tranquil aspirations, ethereal
hopes-howers that have sucked the dews of
heaven and how can he do this If his spirit
ual guide insists on shooting into it the rub
bi-h Of politics.


The effect upon the clergy themselves of
this habit Of preaching politics is most in
furious. 1t acts upon the mind in much the
same way as dram drinking acts upon the
body. 1t begets craving for coarse, vulgar
excitement, utterly inconsistent with proper
interest in the appointed functions and ap.
propriate meditalions of the pastoral office.
The more engaged the clergyman becomes
in political issues, and the success Of this or
that political party, the more coldly and
languidy will he return to religious themes
aud spiritual contemplations. Once upon
time, worldly man, who was wholly alb
sorbed in the accumulation Of property, was
gently demonstrated with by his clergyman,
and reminded Of the necessity of preparing
for another world. "Don't talk to me of
another world" was the reply, zone world
at a time is as much as can attend to-
There is frankness, freedom of hypocrisy
in this answer which we like. 1t includes
an obvious truth. No man, be he clergyman
or Iayman, can be wholly absorbed in the
interests and issues of this world, and leave
due space in his heart for those of another.
You cannot serve God and politics, any more
than you can serve God and Mammon.


70 general structures like the above there
are of course reasonable qualifications and
exceptions. They are not true of every sect;
still less are they true Of every clergyman
in any sect. But we appeal to the great
body of laymen in our community
ally those who are no longer yopng-if there
be not too much truth in what we have said.
That the spirit Of religion is decaying, and
the influence of the clergy is declining, are
melancholy facts. We are sorry for both
as sorry for the latter as the former. Both
facts are symptoms Of the same disease; and
the same remedy is needed for both.


THAr's FAcr-Attorney.- you
know what damage four head Of cattle would
do to the grass in question in he space OF