The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-23
TRUE LIBERTY.
A Special Service by DR.. Mcleod to the Mem
bers Of the Light Infantry.
the stage.

A good audience assembled last night at the
Second Presbyterian Church to hear DR.. Nc
Leod address the indianapolis Light Infantry,
of which company he is the chaplain.
Peter and Paul." said Dr. Mcleod, "were
teachers of the same kind of religious liberty,
yet they once differed IN their views, and became
engaged in a religious controversy. Peter sac
rifced everything for his Jewish principles.
Paul, denying the tenets of his yacillating op
ponent, converted Peter to the Christian faith.
1t was the doctrine of Paul that man should not
use liberty for the flesh or righteousness
This controversy between the two apostles
shows how good men differ in their creeds. We
must be loyal to truth and subserve the highest
and best laws The false use of liberty is prac-
ticed by many people and it unfailingly leads to
bad results. Too many of us, like the old Jews,
turn liberty into license. Civil and religious
liberty are not understood and interpreted in
the same sense. Washington and Parliament
differed in their definition of liberty. Lincoln
and Davis took different views Of liberty, as do
the loyal citizen and traitor in all lands.
Liberty, let it be understood, is not the right
is license and suits the burglar and criminal
Liberty means restraint, and it cannot
justify even the smallest crime. In
its truest and highest sense liberty is
subservient to law. Loyal obedience to law is
the sacred duty of every citizen. In our land,
as in other countries. law is often ignored. In
subordination and disrespect to law seems to
be in vogue everywhere In the name of liberty
clubs have been organized to promote selfish and
unholy ends. What care the greedy, lawess
men, who possess great power, fer morality
They use liberty for the flesh, or cloak for
wickedness. In politics the lawless have an in
fuence as we'll as the good. They cast their bal
lots ignoring right principles, to subserve party
interests. All history teaches that the abuse of
liberty and the disregard of law is the sure
omen of decay and ruin. If we would rid our
selves of the evils that now threaten the country
let communism and socialism be restrained by
the hand of the law. The government cannot
afford to tolerate press which breathes fire and
blood, nor Gemagogues who give urterance to
incendiary speeches.
Patriotism and piety are both honored in re-
speeding law and order. We are under obiga
tons to law and one another. By love we must
serve one another In society there is toe
much clashing of interests. Capital is arraigned
against labor and vice versa. The same evil
that brought destruction to Rome threatens us,
The rich and poor are ncedlesSly brought IN con
fiict AS upright and loyal citizens we must op
pose these class distinctions Caste must be
driven to the ground Too many cry out,
The ra1K Is but the guineas stamp;
mans man for a that
And then proceed to tyrannize over those under
Their power. -
The church of Christ is a common brother
hood, yet in the church of to-day there is to,
much conflict. Does the rich church look upo,
the poor church as it ought, or even the rcl
Ouphtf draw
distinctions where God sees none. This is
cold, unfeeling world, where the autocrats grint
the faces of the poor, where tyrants grow rich
and the powerful use their liberties in.the indul
gence of flesh and the attainment of unchristial
motives. The Christian doctrine is the best fo
| man and society. Mutual sympathy and help
| fulness will allay the strife between
capital and labor, and the opposing inter
/ ests the world over. The unreasoning mus
be dealt with in another way Let them fee
| the powerful arm of the law. Young gentlemen
you are interested in this subject You are cit
| zens, soldiers and the guardians of our liberty
May you never have occasion to take up arms
| but if the day must come, be valiant heroes i
the cause of the law of the land. Yet, remember
| we may be true men and soldiers, and still b
| slaves No man is free who is slave to hi
passions and himself. When Christ makes free
dom it is freedom indeed. The truest liberty i
under the Christian law. On this occasion lie
| us recall the sentiment of Washington, who sal
that religion and morality are the pillars of GOV
! eminent. Morality cannot be attained to with
out religion. The national good cannot b
| reached without the grace of Cod