The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-07-06
The COMING CONFLICT
BETWEEN VICE AND VIRTUE
THE SUBJECT OF
A Sermon by the Rev. DIR. MahOn OF
the Central Methodist
Church.

of Civil 0ficers." His text was: l,
Sam. XIV, Is, IA. "And Samuel came
to Saul; and Saul said unto him:
Blessed be thou OF the Lord. | have
performed the commandment OF the
Lord And Samuel said: What
meaneth then the bleating Of the sheep
in mine ears, and the lowing OF the
oxenlwhich l hearY
ave are commanded to render
obedience TO the powers that be" DR..
Mahon began, "ior they ordained OF
God. Loyalty then is Christian, for
it is through good government that we
are enabled to lead quiet and peace
able lives, and to worship God un-
molested. As Christians We are
earnestly exhorted in the Scriptures to
pray for our rulers, that they may have
wisdom aud discretion, aud that we
ourselves may enjoy freedom. de-
plcre the habit which is Tar too pre-
valent among us in this free country,
OF speaking disrespec.iuOly OF magis-
trates aud other civil officers. Men
in official position are not indeed
above criticism, but they should be
JUDGED WITH CAUTION
and their administration criticised with
the respect due the representatives OF
law. Whenever people learn to es-
TEEN lightly law through contempt
for those who are appointed to admin
lister it, then look out for oppression
| and Injustice and all manner of frauds.
We are to speak lday for little while
on The Duties and Responsibilities
| of Civil Officers | do not mCal to
be presumptuous in debating advice
where il is not needed. We all are
interested in good government and in
the choice Of our ruep. | have select
ed Saul. the first King Of Israel, as one
whose official character is pertinent to
this occasion. Saul was CHOSEN King
chis fly because of his commanding
personal appearance. He was head
and shoulders above all the tribes OF
Israel. Notwithstanding his fine phys
ique, there were defects in his Chardc.
ter that utterly disqualified him for
being prince. Many man is
CHOSEN FOR OFFICE
with but little regard to his qualitica-
tons. He locks well or is glib on the
tongue, is full of humor, and is withal
a Jolly good fellow and treats. And
enough throw up their hats and vote
for him TO elect him. Sometimes one
who is utterly disqualified for want of
true manhood aud principle is in
vested with public office simply be-
cause he belongs to this or that pollti-
cal party. do not declaim against
| n nj
In fact, can scarcely zee how the
country could be managed without
these party lines. Political parties,
do not doubt, secure the election of
good men TO office, and insure wise
administration of the laws, One party,
advocating certain principles OF gov
eminent, keeps
A JEALOUS EYE
on the other, and by this means the
interests of law and good government
are greatly promoted. In connection
with his party aflilation a candi-
date should present qualifications
for the office. Political parties should
see to it that none but suitable men
are advanced for the suffrages of the
people. No man should be installed
into place OF public trust who is in
capable. Neither SHOULD any man be
in office who is not honest. Most pub
lie officers have to handle money that
does not be'ong TO them. Only u man
Of clean hands should be intrusted
with such responsibility. How many
estates have been
PLUNDERED ny THIEVES
who crept into public Office by fair
promises and tlattering speeches. 1t
too often happens that those who were
, elected to be the guardians OF sacred
trusts use every advantage TO cheat
and steal. Remember that when you
,, 90 TO the ballot box and vote for pub
lie officers you are appointing men
who are to be charged with the man
agement of your affairs and that OF
your children. A chief element in
the character OF public servant
: should be justice or the disposition to
3 execute the law and do right, This /:
better than wisdom. 1t 10 better than
oIa,ory, or a fine appearance. The
: man who will do right in the face Of
s opposition, and stand to 1t though the
d heavens fall, is worth bis weight in
0 gold, and is worthy to be a king
= though he may never get q vote.
WHEN SAUL WAS ELECTED
he was go overcome with sense o
his litteness and inability that he rar
= of and hid himself in the flax, which
by the way, is the very last instance
on record OF man fleeing from nomi
= nation or an election OF himself II
= Office. No sooner had Saul got taste
= of power than he became impeTioui
/ and haugl ty and proud and jealous
!, and ] really believe had occasiona
y fits OF insanity, the result Of inordnatt
!. ambition. II is strange to see the CT
= feet that little authority sometimes
has on men. They get to think tina
> the whole country belongs to them
:, Elect a plain farmer a squire, and a
once he becomes the most consequen
= tial person In the neghborhood in hi
~ own eyes. The Chairman OF Count!
. Court will hardly give the road for thu
- Governor. SauPs great defect wss
% disregard for law. He had sens
n enough, and courage enough TO marcel
u at the head OF his armies, bu
Il he lacked the law loving principle
- He studied policy rather than princi
n pie. He could stand under
.e SHOWER OF DARTS,
II but he could not resist the appeals o
ri publiC sentiment. Once he WAS cen
1. on military excursion with orders t
4. annihilate the Amalekites, trouble
some tribe that lowered on the bon
ders of Israel. On his return Samue
the prophet, inquired OF him II h
- had executed the order. He declare
h. that he had. Whereupon Samuel il
q. quired, What meauetE the bleatn
4 @. of the sheep and the lowing OF oxe
N in mine ears?' Saul had fallen upo
a. the spoil, and bis apology was that th
-. people demanded it Il him and b
y had yielded to pacify them, but thu
he intended to sacrifice these ANNA
TO the Lord. Samuel responded
~. words that ought to be written ov'
az the gateways OF justice everywher
III Behold, to obey is better than sacr
,o fee. and TO hearken than the fat