A WRITER in the Christian Union notes the fact that the clergy have steadily risen in public estimation during the last one hundred and fifty years, and as proof of the assertion cites the position they hold in popular fiction: The writer states that "it is no slight proof of the importance which our own day attaches to religion, that its most popular novelist found among the clergy unfailing subjects for his pen." And further, that "it is to Mr. Trollope the clergy owe most; he has given them a leading place in literature and society. He never failed to make them interesting. . . . The cardinal and his staff are gentlemen, and men of the world, and do not lose their temper or courage if disappointed or defeated; and the Anglican bishop, full of Christian kindness and innocent little jokes, is no less admirable."
Especially during the past forty years, the clergy have been seeking the "estimation of the public," and it is probably gratifying to many of them to know that "they have their reward"—from Mr. Trollope. But from a Scripture standpoint the compliment paid by the writer above quoted is a doubtful one. The great "Shepherd and Bishop" (not Anglican) says "that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God," and when he came to this world as a minister, he "made himself of no reputation and took upon him the form of a servant." Both he and his "staff" would have scorned to be reckoned as "men of the world," or to be deemed "admirable" for their "innocent little jokes." Of his apostles he said, "They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world." John 17:16. And to them he said, "If ye were of the world the world would love its own; but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you."
W. N. GLENN.
To Our Old Subscribers.
By Editor
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Politics and the Coming of the Lord
By Editor
WE were in hopes that the election last week would put an end to the excitement that has prevailed for some time, and that we might find in our religious exchanges something besides politics, but we hoped in vain, as the excitement seems to have been increased. Those who think that there is no danger of anything like a union of church and State in this country, would do well to consider the prominent part which the churches, the clergy, and the religious journals took in the last campaign.
The SIGNS OF THE TIMES has stood almost alone in its adherence to its specific work, leaving politics to be discussed by papers that have no other object. We believe that the coming of the Lord is near at hand, and our work is to proclaim this fact, and teach men how to prepare for that event. The bitterness and frenzied demonstrations that characterize partisans of all grades, are to us an indication of the mental intoxication that is blinding the minds of people to the true state of affairs. For the first time since the beginning of the campaign we give advice to our readers, and especially to our brethren, as to the position that they should take. It is this:—
"And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man."
Contempt for God's Law
By Editor
IN our news column this week is an item which might serve as a text for those who decry the law, and fling contempt on it, while they profess to exalt the gospel. When the polygamist Clawson was arraigned for sentence, he stated that he had no respect for the law against polygamy; that polygamy was right in his eyes, and that he intended to practice it. The Judge said that he had designed to pass a light sentence, but could not after such a declaration; a "defiant criminal," said he, "is entitled to no leniency."
"Shall mortal man be more just than God?" Can they who manifest contempt for God's law, calling it "an old Jewish law," entirely unsuited to the present age, expect to receive pardon at his hands? Men who will justly applaud the action of Judge Zane, will preach the gospel, announcing pardon for the transgression of God's law, while at the same time they defy that law by breaking it and teaching men so. "Such a gospel," said Bishop Simpson, "may rear a beautiful structure; but its foundation is on the sand." We would earnestly entreat those who are rearing such a structure, to desist at once, lest when the rain shall descend, and the floods come and beat against it and cause it to fall, they should "be consumed in the midst thereof."