The Decline of Clerical Influence
"It is no wonder that clergymen are losing all their influence, when the public see the most selfish and abandoned men sailing under the name of Reverend. It is no wonder that the churches of all denominations in this city, except the Catholic, have decreased in membership during the past ten years, although the population has increased over 250,000, when the clergymen are forsaking the gospel for politics, and when it is considered much more important to pass laws for the suppression of vice than to convince men to be pure and honest. It is a strange spectacle to see a professed Christian minister trying to convert the world with his pockets filled with infidel Tributes, yet it is quite a common occurrence now-a-days. We trust, however, there will be some sifting of titles before long and we suggest that every man who has left the ministry to engage in editing, lecturing, politics, Maine Law enterprises, &c., be reduced to plain Mr., for even that is more respect than some of them deserve."—N. Y. Weekly Day Book.