Notes and Remarks [excerpt]

     Undoubtedly there are many sensible men among the sectarian clergy of this country; but it is also a fact, which has long been palpable to the public, that Protestant ministers never miss an occasion of saying something foolish or shocking to the moral sense. It was natural enough that the man in the streets should express himself recklessly concerning the President’s assassination, but from the man in the pulpit sane sentiment and wise reflection was to be expected. It was not always forthcoming, though. One reverend gentleman declared without the slightest hesitation that the deplorable event in Buffalo was God’s punishment for failure to close the saloons in Manila! Another domine, holding forth in New York, expressed regret that the officer who seized the assassin’s pistol did not beat out the fellow’s brains with it on the spot. It is reported that thousands of people who heard this saying applauded it. Let us hope that thousands of others who read the words next day did not applaud them, though their horror of the crime and sympathy with its victim were quite as lively as the preacher’s. It is not surprising that so many people in this country have left off “attending church”; the wonder is, certain things considered, that so many continue to attend.