Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1873-12-04

icHte al -NelllIillS anu shreveport
if you would learn to what extent
this nation is controlled by the NOR
al power of these spilital forces,
look to Chicago. The flames were
yet raging, the course of the fire
had not yet been arrested. while
the railroads, the Changers demon.
were clearing their tracks of other
freight to let the charities of the
nation fly along to succor the
doomed city; estimate the benef-
cence kindled by the fires of the
northwest. phen think of the great
sanitary and christian commissions.
Sand learn how powerful a control
over the public conscience has chris
tan charity. | want no better evil
dence than these facts that God is
making the invincible forces of the
christian religion the supreme law
and power of the land. Yes, let me
repeat it. The great object of
Thanksgiving to-day is that truth,
justice, charity, right and honesty
are invulnerable. The strength of
God is theirs. God moves in them
and through them, to build up here
not only a nation materially great,
but morally sound ; a nation reared
mot only upon the basis of vast re-
sources, but whose foundations are
those eternal principles which Sc
cure peace and tranquility in heaven.
God is doing wonderful things for
the nation, which calls for devout
THANKSGIVING.
The Republics of antiquity that
persisted, persisted because vice be-
came more powerful than virtue
fraud more powerful than integrity !;
wrong mightier than right. Human
passions smote Justice to the earth /;
hence, tyranny overwhelmed liberty.
It is sad history-that of the down
fall Of ancient Republics--but strilz-
ing in contrast is the bright history
to which our own is coming. The
great majority of public demonstra-
tons in our land vie with each other
in declaring that the moral scnti-
ments, in which are the life and
hope of the nation, have a heart of
oak and sinews OF steel. While,
therefore, we recognize the good
ness of God in the harvest, the
health, and the prosperity of the
nation, let us not fail also to remem-
Der that He daily loads us with
benefits in that the Jesus Christ is
powerful enough in this land to Sc
cure the irresistible advance of
charity; pure enough to ensure
peace and tranquility; strong
enough to vindicate truth and es-
tablish justice.
Frequently do we here the cry
that religion and politics must not
be mixed. / turn to inquire why
such strange demand! | find that
religion breeds honesty. Being the
power that it is, why this antago-
nism! In answer let me suggest
an easy solution: The dishonest
politician hates the thought of
power that can thwart his vile
schemes; the selfish demagogue
fears power that can create a pub
lie virtue, that can crush his ambi-
tious aims. Government, to be
strong, to outlast the decay of time,
must lean on religion. BY religion
| mean that power that begets truth,
right, justice and charity in the pub
lie conscience. Truth, charity and
integrity cannot live where there is
no religion; liberty cannot live
without truth, charity and integrity
in the people. Look to the Repub-
lies of South ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
without free Bible and a pure re-
ligion-and what have you? An
archy instead OF peace, bondage in
stead of liberty, superstition for an
intelligent faith. The condition of
society is chaotic; now ruled by
a mob, now by the superstitious
power of priests. From these Re-
pubGcs turn to our own country.
What have you! Peace for anarchy,
liberty for bondage, intelligence for
superstition. The only revolution
since the government was organized
was the revolution Of slavery against
liberty, the revolution Of darkness
against light, the result of which is
that everywhere the rights of man
hood and conscience are respected.
What has caused this difference be-
tween neighboring Republics
Nothing but the power of the chris
tan religion teaching man his re-
sponsioility to God from an open
Bible. The cry that religion and
lpolitipS 1uust not ha 11aiyp1 is q most