Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-12-02

tally slenced, and we are eating To-Day the Dit
ter fruits of that silence. mo politics in the pull
pitw You will never have incorrupt citizen
ship ill you have a pulpit that teaches people
what are their duties to the State, and inspires
men, by the whole power of the Gospel OF Christ,
TO be Just and true and nobe-spirited in their
lation TO public affairs The church, in republic
where a citizen has TO do with public affairs
is recreant to duty if it does not teach him his duty
respecting them. And it is very strange that men
are so slow in seeing this. Christians permit one
of the most important engines in the world to pass
| out of their hands almost entirely. Why should
we not seek to have the laws and the policy of
| the community administered according to the
spirit of Christian equity and Christian purity
There seems to settle on Christian people the idea
that politics is in the hands of evil, selfish men,
| that there is little use in attempting to modify
| their course, AMI the country suffers in conso-
quence.
| Men who are intellectual and refined are not
entitled to the right to retire from public respon-
sibiliy. great many men act as if, when they
had become so cultured that they rose superior TO
| their fellow men, they had diploma of selfshness
that they have the right to indulge their own
Iastidious tastes, and leave the great uncultured
community just as they are. But every man owes
whatever gifts of understanding and genius God
has bestowed upon him to the community in which
b is lot is cast
Ia view of these deductions, Christian parents
should begin early in the training of their child
rem, in the ideas of patriotism and Christian duty
to their country. IL patriotism is to exist at all,
] it must be kindled in childhood.
Finally, nothing but high moral training can
save our country from these moral commissions
which, with such people as ours, threaten us.
Fiery ambitions are at work which threaten our
prosperity and national integrity; and there is
nothing but that instruction which comes from
the word of God, and is inspired by the Spirit Of
God, there is nothing but the education of our
people in the Christian doctrine of citizenship,
that will prepare to bear the stress of the time
to come. This continent is to present q higher
spectacle Of spiritual integrity than the world has
ever SEEM but it must be by the faithful applica
ton of the great Christian ethics to citizenship
God has been pleased TO give this nation the right
principles and the right truths. And in order to
info Id the notions of true liberty, must pre-
pare ourselves. We must not be ashamed of lib
erty. We must be willing to take her with all
her responsibilities We must be willing to take
our own doctrines and our own ideas. and conse-
crate them, and live by them and for them, and
be proud to present to God and angels and men
the world over, the example Of q nation that is
built up by justice and liberty and Christian civil
cation.
The Day In Other Respects.
Almost Sabbath stiffness reigned in the city the
entire day. There was no rum drinking or dsor-
der of any kind, if we except solitary fight that
was not disastrous in its results. The police had
no occasion TO make arrests, and therefore the
municipal court was without business. The own
ers of teams improved in measure the fine trav-
cling, and visited their friends in the country. 1t
has been some time since we had q snowless
Thanksgiving, and the oddity of moving about on
wheels was frequently remarked upon.
Quite q number Of expert marksmen attended
the shooting match lover the river, and returned
bearing their trophies with them. The boys
and girls improved their time in skating on frog"
A,I "A otka. he,
find ice in sufficient quantity to indulge in this
hileratihg sport. The Capital Guards turned out
some forty strong with beat of drum taking the
train for Auburn, where they spent the day as the
guests Of their brothers in arms, the Auburn Light
Infantry. They returned yesterday, and speak
enth usiasticaly Of the manner in which they were
received and entertained. The Auburns did
everything possible to make their stay pleasant.
very interesting meeting of the St. Mays T.
A. and b. Society was held in its hall ON Thursday
evening, on which occasion earnest and pointed
work were made by Messrs. Creahan aud Murphy
of this city, and by Mr.. T. orc. Rowe of Bath.
This organization has recently been augmented
by the addition Of several new members. The
society is in good financial condition, and is des-
tined 10 perform great deal Of good in the COM
munity.
A pleasant time was enjoyed at the Ball at
Meonian Hall. where some seventy couples gath
cred. The music by Hsnagan's Orchestra, was
first class as usual and special mention should be
made of the cornet solo, Metropolitan Polka, a
very fine selection, which was performed in ar
tistic style by Mr.. J. E. Cleus.
At the Insane Hospital.
The day wa, observed according to modern
custom at the Insane Hospital. The day though
COOL was all that could be asked for, and the pa
ticnts were anxious for the annual reception pro-
vided by DIR. Harlow, the Superintendent. In
years past these occasions have always been
sources of anxiety to the officers of the instu-
ton, there suitable place where the
large numbers could meet together.
The private rarlors and corridors have always
poorly satisfied the wants of the officers, who by
this annual gathering together Of the better class
OF patients feel that much good is accomplished
for all.
The building of the new and spacious hall gives
the room much needed for all meetings of what
tiful in design and finish, and easy of access to
all.
Thursday evening about two hundred patients
received inv itations to attend the annual gather
ing on this time honored day. Throughout the
day every person in the institution had been sub
stantilly remembered, and the evening was devo-
ted to adding to the happiness of mind and body.
The hall was well flled with the patients, and be-
sides these there were the members of the execu-
tive council and their wives, of the trustees
and ladies and other friends of the institution. all
coming together to show by their presence the sym
patty felt for the poor unfortunates, and to add to
their pleasure by smiling faces and kindly express
sions. The exercises consisted of games singing
by the Hospital club, and dancing. The refresh
ments provided were bountiful, amply satisfying
the wants of all.
The officers, one and all. gave evidence of their
interest in those under their care, by the
zeal with which they labored to make the even
ing pleasant one.
Skowhegan Locals.
The lumbermen are preparing for their winters
work in the woods. Several teams have already