DENOMINATIONAL PARTY POLITICS.
By W. N. G.
It seems to be coming to that, "Christian unity" is all well enough for Sunday-law purposes, but when it comes to the emolument of religious politics, denominational claims must not be overlooked. With reference to the chaplaincy in the present Legislature of California, a contributor to the Oakland Tribune, two weeks before that body convened, stated the probable result, as follows:— "No appointment in the next Legislature will be more deserved and more calculated to promote the best interests of the Republican party of the State than that of the Rev. Barton W. Perry, D.D., as chaplain of the Assembly. Dr. Perry is not only an enthusiastic Republican, as his great speech and work at the county convention fully demonstrated, but he well represents the Presbyterian Church of the State, having been editor of the church organ for two years. This church has 300 ministers and 23,000 members in the State, but has never had the honor of a chaplaincy in the Legislature. "It is conceded that Sacramento will have the honor of naming the chaplain for the Senate, but he will not be a Presbyterian. We are also assured that Alameda County will have the honor of naming the chaplain of the next Assembly, and he will be a Presbyterian. But this is no more than what is due Alameda County and the Presbyterian Church, for both have always been loyal to the Republican party." Now that the Legislature has convened and been organized, it turns out that the foregoing forecast was correct. Dr. Perry was chosen chaplain of the Assembly, and Rev. A. J. Sturtevant (Baptist), of Sacramento, was made chaplain of the Senate. It can hardly be said that it was all guesswork; it bears the stamp of being based upon political computation as to denominational influence and consequent claims upon political consideration. The professed Protestant denominations are uniting in strenuous efforts (in imitation of well-settled Roman Catholic policy) to make themselves a power in politics, but in so doing they are paying the way for a denominational partisanship which, sooner or later, must become as corrupt in its methods as any other club system. Here is food for reflection: When the civil government was the open foe of Christianity, and to preach the doctrine was deemed treason to the State, the church exemplified the Spirit of Christ to a far greater degree, and wielded a far greater power for good, than it did after coming down to form an unholy alliance with the civil power. When the church seeks power in and of the State, it is a virtual denial or rejection of the power of the Spirit; then what can be expected but that God will withdraw His Spirit, and leave the apostate body to wallow in the pool where it chooses to cast its lot? W. N. G.