The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-11-03
TIMELY TOPICS DISCUSSED.
Sermons Having Especial Reference
to the Coming Election.
Some FOrcibe Views on the Duties of Good
Citizens by Revs. Abijah Marine, John
Alabaster and James Mcleod
CHRISTIANS AND THE ELECTION.
The Duty of Christian Men in the Use OF
the Elective Franchise.

The Duty of Christian Men in the Use of
the Elective Franchise.
Dr. Marine, of the Central-avenue NJ E.
Church preached last night from the text, "Only
let your conversation citizenship be as it be-
cometh the gospel of Christ" and in the course
of an unusually powerful sermon he asserted
strongly the necessity of a vital connection be-
tween Christianity and politics. so that the lat
ter could be influenced by the former In the
discussion of the relation of the Christian pulpit
and of Christian men to political duty, he said;
Where, then, is our hopel Is it not largely with
the sober, thoughtful Christian citizens of this
Repubie9 If they but do their duty they are
the rulers of this country. But can they get a
hearing in poticsl If So then shall we uufurl
the banner of reform" and go off on n tangent!
Shall we substitute hobby for principle, and
while one screams for womanS right to the bal
lotboX, and another for constitutional prohibit
ton, and another for abolition of poygamy in
Utah, shall we thus break up and
disintegrate forces and thereby sacri-
fee a controlling interest in politics! The
dominant political parties are confessedly
very low plane to their methods of warfare
But one or the other will, beyond all question,
inaugurate the ensuing administration. Where
do we find the highest national sentiment the
truest loyalty and devotion to the Union, the
best friend of education, the best pro
lection for the laboring man, the largest
Christian constituency, the greatest number of
Christian ministers, the highest respect for the
Christian church and pulpit! These are ques-
tions and considerations that no Christian citi-
zen can pass by with consistency and selfre-
spect In the consideration of this subest we
reach the following conclusions:
l. That, while the separation of church and
state, as expressed and provided for in the Or
ganic law of the Nation, is, we trust, the fixed
and unalterable policy of government
we recognize the inter relationship ami mutual
obligations of Christianity and the state 'and
therefore believe and declare that religion should
have vital connection with and salutary in
huence over politics
2. That all questions of morals, reforms, edu-
cation and loyalty to our government, together
with the duties and consistency of Christian citi-
Zenship, come legitimately within the purview
of pulpit discussion.
3. That while partisan politics are out of
place in the pulpit, nevertheless, Christian min
listers are under obligations to God and man to
pronounce against rebellion and treason, regard
less OF any sympathy that may be expressed for
these things by some great political party or
great political leaders.
4. 1t is certainly the duty of Christian min
listers to guard and defend the interests of the
great temperance reform against all attacks, de-
vices and strategic movements of a great politi-
cal party that openly and avowedly defends the
interests of the whisky league" and pleads for
the saloon keepers vote on that ground.
s. That ministers of the gospel are citizens
and as such have equal rights with all other citi-
zens; and when they are blackguarded and de-
famed for exercising these rights by some great
political party or the organ of that party, they
are not only reereant to every sacred trust com
mitted to them, but they are pusillanimous and
craven if they do not in the name of a Chris
tan manhood, repel the outrage.
6. 1t is the imperative duty of every Chris
tan citizen to not only study the science of poll
tics, but to enter the arena and contend
earnestly and manfully for the dignity and
purity of politics and the sanctity and purity of
the hallot-box.
Z. The consistent Cnstian citizen on election
day will go to the polls and vote, without fear of
molestation his honest conviction of what is
best for the interests of the country and the
supremacy and perpetuity of our Christian civ
ilization.
8. There are undoubtedly Christian men in
all political parties: and to one and all whatever
may be your party affiliations, we have this to
say: "Only let your citizenship be as it becom-
eth the gospel of Christ"