CLERICAL ANTI-CORN-LAW AGITATION.
NOTWITHSTANDING the lecture read to us by an evening paper, distinguished by the zeal and often by the talent of its advocacy of Corn-law Reform, we remain of opinion that the projected conference of " ministers of all denominations" on the Corn- laws is inexpedient. We did not volunteer that opinion—it was asked of us by the projectors of the conference. To be sure, it was asked much after the fashion of a gentleman who, having been privately married in the morning, consults a friend in the afternoon as to the propriety of entering the matri- monial state. Had none been concerned but they who were likely to perform a part in the conference, we should not have taken the trouble to comply with the request of those who had issued sum- monses to it, to express our opinion of the expediency of the step. But the progress of sound views of commercial policy—the peace of society, threatened by an augmentation of the sectarian discord already too loud and grating among us—were perilled ; and there- fore we candidly stated our opinion, quite aware of the vitupera- tion that might be showered upon us, by or on behalf of those who sought not a candid but a favourable opinion. We are told that "we live under a Protestant Government "- that " priests hold seats in Parliament "—that " our clergy are authorized by law to take an active and prominent part in secular politics "; and it is hence inferred that the Dissenting clergy ought to meddle in secular politics, in order to counterbalance the influ- ence of the Established clergy.
The cases are not parallel. The clergy of the Established Church, both in and out of Parliament, are diluted with an admix- ture of laymen when they take part in secular politics. The pro- jected conference is or was to be composed of an undiluted ga- thering of clergymen. The counterpart to such an assembly, met to issue its fiat on the Corn-laws, would be the Convocation assem- bled for a similar purpose. The Convocation has for a long series of years met only to adjourn ; and even the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland, with all its tendency to encroach on the secular domain, has hitherto confined itself to questions in which the Church is concerned. The projected conference, on the other hand, was meant to be a meeting composed exclusively of cler- gymen, assembled to pronounce judgment in a question exclusively secular.
"Several priests hold seats in Parliament." True ; and we have always understood that this was an anomaly seriously complained of by Reformers. We understood, too, that the outcry against Bishops having seats in the House of Lords was raised, not because these Bishops were members of the Church of England, but be- cause the function of a minister of the gospel was conceived to be incompatible with the function of a secular legislator. To add a political Dissenting clergy to a political Established clergy, is to double, not to remove the evil complained of. Two political par- sons are two political parsons, even though they should be of dif- ferent sects; and two nuisances are worse than one.
The allegation that the Dissenting clergy took an active part in their corporate capacity in the struggle to obtain a repeal of the Test Act, and that the Catholic clergy took an equally strong part in the struggle for Catholic Emancipation, is not in point. The disqualifying laws were a brand upon their creeds, which they, anxious that these creeds should have a fair hearing, had an especial interest in getting removed. Their struggles against dis- qualifying laws ivas a part of their missionary labour—a prepara- tory measure towards having their doctrine listened to without prejudice. They were in the strict line of their clerical duty.
If the supporters of the Corn-laws advocated them, knowing— believing them to be calculated to impoverish the community and distress the poor, they would be fair objects for the clerical battery proposed to be opened upon them. But whether the Corn-laws have that effect or not, is the very question at issue. You must con- vince the majority of the nation that they have that effect, before you can get them repealed; and you must convince them of that by hard-headed reasoning, not by clerical denunciations. The Corn-law question is not a theological question, but a question of pounds, shillings, and pence. It must be settled by profane secular logic, not by garbled and misapplied quotations from Scripture. The Corn-laws can only be put down by argument ; and of all arguers clergymen are the worst. Their education is directed to making them dexterous supporters of a creed which they must adopt, not bold inquirers after truth. Their practice in the pulpit, where no one can gainsay them, encourages a dictatorial spirit im- patient of contradiction. When they step out of their own proper sphere they almost without exception turn out to be quibbling and unfair, declamatory and vituperative.
It would almost seem that humbug has greater charms for the political writers on the side of Reform of our day than common sense. If any unfortunate wight comes to the conclusion that the cause of good government may be better promoted by some new line of action than that which has hitherto been pursued, and back his opinion by arguments, he is assailed with abuse, contumely, misrepresentation, and called an enemy in the camp. If, on the other hand, some one, as in the present instance, rises up and pro- poses to settle the matter by pulpit oratory—although every man among them will whisper you in confidence that the plan is a gross desecration of religion, an unfair and disreputable substitute for reasoning—they all assume a grave deferential face in public, and, even when some lingering remains of a conscience deter them from advocating the project warmly, profess to think it an important suggestion and worthy of a trial.
We cannot "teach our tongues to gloze," and therefore we beg to repeat, in still stronger language than before, that we think the projected clerical irruption into the field of secular controversy is calculated to do very great harm to the cause of rational politics and true religion.
Previous page
