The Ministry

A similar figment is also in use with regard to "the ministry," and people speak and write as though "the ministry" were a peculiar order of beings, possessing an inherent monopoly of holiness, or a patent right for being good. Now there is no ground for this idea; ministers are merely men, living among folks, and sharing the varied influences of society, education, public opinion, &c. In themselves they are no more pure than other men; and so far as circumstances influence character, subjected to things favorable and others unfavorable to high moral excellence. - Probably, on the whole, they possess just about the common average - like priest, like people. They possess no attributes of moral worth by virtue of their office. - They have duties of their own, arising from their employment, and we suppose are, and may rationally be expected to be, just about as consistent and thorough in performing their duties, as religious people generally are in performing theirs. If we look at their conduct in relation to the Anti-Slavery subject, we shall find that a fair proportion of ministers have taken up in favor of the slaves, and that ministers have performed as much labor, and made as many sacrifices, as any equal number of their fellow Christians - taking into view all the opportunities and obligations on the one hand, and all their liabilities and temptations on the other. To single out "the ministry," therefore, as the peculiar subjects of reproach in regard to the anti-slavery cause, is both unjust and unwise. It is calculated to perpetuate the evils it complains of. There is a superstition sometimes created by the poetry of "the ministry," which injures both priest and people. It tempts the former to think they can lord it over God's heritage, and it induces the latter first to leave too much to the ministry, and when that expectation fails, then to lay a weight of blame just as disproportionate as the former confidence was unreasonable. lt follows that a reform of "the ministry" is to be effected, just like the reform of "the church," viz: by making each individuable better. Ministers have minds, that are to be wrought upon by motives, just like the rest of the people. Indeed they are so entirely identified with the rest of the community, that we are not likely to see them taking a stand, on any subject, greatly in advance of the body of the people. It is therefore of small use to vex ourselves, or agitate the community, or worry the ministers, with vain endeavors to get out of "the ministry" that which is not in it. A goodly portion of ministers have come forward, with noble zeal; others come a part of the way, others hang back, and a few openly oppose our cause. So it has ever been. And that which has been is that which shall be. We have but little expectation of carrying forward "the church" or "the ministry," except by those means which affect the mass of the people. Accordingly, we find that the late movement to elevate the standard of consistent abolitionism in regard to political action has, in many parts of the country produced immediate and most desirable results in religious associations. -Emancipator.