Intrigue among Ministers, for Office by Dudley Marvin Canright

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 14, 1871

Intrigue among Ministers, for Office.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

“THE NEW YORK Tribune of the 7th inst., says: ‘It comes out as rather a curious fact, that there is a good deal of lobbying and intriguing to secure the office of Chaplain to the Massachusetts Legislature. In one case, we hear of the wife of a clergyman who has been by letter personally soliciting members in her reverend husband's behalf.’”

It seems bad enough for politicians to lobby and intrigue to obtain office, but how much worse when ministers of the gospel condescend to such dirty work! Nor is the one who has done this, simply a solitary case; it is becoming quite general. The world and worldly honors seems to be the object which a large proportion of ministers now have in view. May the Lord preserve us from it. How much can the prayers of such a man avail with God? Alas! vital piety is becoming more and more scarce among both people and ministers.

Is there not a reform needed? Every thinking mind must see it. Lord, speed it on.

D. M. CANRIGHT.