The salt that is to save this country
Sir, the salt that is to save this country is the Church of Christ — a Church that does not mix up with any political party, or any issues aside from her direct mission. I have no faith in parties or men, Republicans or Democrats, Congresses or Presidents — the times are dark — but I have faith in God, and if we are faithful to Him, for the Church’s sake He will preserve the country.
All I wish to do is to set my opinions in a true light. I think it will hardly be denied that — first, the Church is a kingdom not of this world; secondly, her authority is only ministerial and declarative; thirdly, the power which is given to her is to be exercised for spiritual ends only. If the Church will keep within her own bounds, she will be an agency that will purify and bless the world; but if she goes beyond her proper sphere, she will not only fail to accomplish her mission, but will do mischief. Like the ocean she purifies even by her agitation, whilst acting within her bounds and banks; but like the ocean, too, if she break beyond them nothing can be more destructive or desolating. Let the Church work on at the very foundations of moral and spiritual influences, which are the foundations of society, let her do her appropriate and appointed work, and she will sanctify the world. But let her go out of her sphere, and affect interference with the temporalities of men, and she will fail. Whenever she forgets that her mission is to bring men to the Cross and to salvation, she comes down from her high vantage-ground. Whenever the Church speaks at all she must speak in the name of the Lord, and she must speak what the Lord bids her.
—James Henley Thornwell, The Collected Writings of James Henley Thornwell, Vol. 4, pp. 477-478.