Morning journal and courier., 1884-07-21
THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN.

What 1t Needs in Gospel Point of ford.
 Last evening at the Church of the Holy Spirit the Rev. Phoebe A. Hanaford, pastor, preached a very eloquent sermon, her subject being Gospel Requirements for Presiden- tial Campaign" The text was Col, V, 6, ''Let your speech be always with grace, sea- soned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man." The pulpit has a duty to perform as well as the press in every hour of special national interest The objection to politics in the pulpit is a just one, but it should not be urged against any mention of national welfare. Our morn ing paper comes freighted with accounts of political meetings; our evening ones scarcely have room for other news, so full are they of calls to some gathering of the clans array ed for the time against each other. We are apt to say, many of us, that the papers have no interest during fierce campaign; there is no news in them, nothing readable; and yet, looking at the whole matter with unpreju- diced eyes-standing aloof from all parties as gospel minister without acknowledged rights in the administration of the laws, a participation in the government, surely may, I see that the papers are full of matters which are of deepest interest because they concern not only the life of the nation as such but the moral and spiritual welfare of this great people, diverse in name and nature and habits and training and race and creed, yet making one vast body and all of them the children of God. The question is some times asked, "Can a man be interested in 4ba off If @ thorough Christian ?'' Why nots Yet he was right who said, ''The most authentic type of human depravity is a thoroughly unprincipled politician" But he need not be unprincipled He could care for the nation and it's interests and yet obey our text His speech could be not only free from insipidity, spicy and strong, but it could be palatable to right minded men and women when seasoned with the salt of truth and good will. Every man has right to his opinions and the best of all rights to con viction, and to express it if he choose, but truth in the interests of party or for political gain. There are con- scientious men in both parties and those Christian voters should unmistakably declare that no speeches which are colored to suit preconceived notions, no addresses. which fail to shine in the white light of truth, should be accepted; that whether the party "sinks or swims," survives or perishes, will be grandly impartial and nobly true. When any man speaks of saving the nation and dealing unjustly in the same breath you may be sure he has not been studying the golden rule and that he will sink the nation he pre- tends to save.
 In concluding she said: FEIn the spirit of such patriotism, oh my brothers, perform your duty in the present campaign. Be earnest in regard to your own views, but re- spect others. Be workers for your chosen candidate, but give others the same opportun ity. And in speaking of the rival candidates, whether few or many, for any office, be cour- teous and be truthful, remem bering our text, and when talking with opponents let your speech be always with grace seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to an- swer every man. And evermore, sing and pray God speed the right"