The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-11-12
LESSONS FROM THE PULPIT
The Preachers Find Elections and Poll
tics Fruitful Topics of Discourse.
Political Sins Hindrancs to Full Christian
Life-Ambtion an inspiration from God
"A Sermon on Saving Young Men.

There was large congregation q. the Second
Presbyterian Church yesterday morning DR..
McLeods Sermon was suggested by the recent
election. His subject was THE Unjust Stew
ard" as found in Luke xvi, to IL verses, and
particularly the 10th verse He that is faithful
in that which is least, is faithful slso. in much;
and ne that is unjust in the least is unjust also.
In much The parable of the unjust steward
has given the "criticsv q great deal of trouble.
he said. Some say that by it the Lord gave his
approval 10 . man who was q swindler. Instead
OF condemning him he holds him up as an ex-
ample OF wisdom one ought TO follow. Our
Lords commendatiou is not commentator Of
dishonesty, but only commentator Of worldly
prudence, for He says the children of this
world are, in their generation, wiser than the
children Of light, and He would have his disci.
Piles be a. shrewd in spiritual things a. the unjust
steward Was 10 worldly things. The exhcrta-
ton Make to yourselves frends of the NAM
mon Of rightsousness,' needs an explanation.
The steward took time by the forelock and made
friends for himself by his worldly wisdom; 80
Christians should uss the earthly resources
which God has placed at their disposal In such
way as to advances the cause Of Christianity.
In this day, said the Doctor, too little atten-
ton 10 paid to the minor morals. All are will
ing to admit their importsnee. yet In practice
they ignore them. Strict fidelity In small mat
tiers was TO the unjust steward Of little i'm
poriance IL he could secure his ends. He
adopted q rule which 10 the destruction Of all
morality. The Bible says that 10 order to attain
right end one should use the right means.
With many 10 these days the standard Of morals
Is % low % that Of the unjust steward. and
their love Of success is greater than their love
OF honesty. In the world Of commerce, politics
and religion there is at times too little regard
paid to little thinee, and tricks of trade are too
frequent Commercial dishonesty a large
scale has often hsgun in commercial dishonesty
on small SCALE In the world Of politics the
principle adopted by the unjust steward prevails
more or less widely. What politicians aim at is
success, and all OF them are not always careful
as to the means employed: and they allow no
little things to stand in the way OF success. They
seem to think that bribery is only little thing
derine OF q neighbor is of email consequences If
only by means of it they can secure their OBJ
ject By some sandsr is regarded ss leeiti-
mate political weapon il by 1t the opposing can
didate can BE- defeated.
The people of the United States have just
passed through an exciting political campaign,
the Doctor continued, during which many have
devoted their time to the great canvass OF the
Nation. They said they were anxious TO save it,
and to hear them talk one would think they
were ali aelow with patriotic FIRE. Ii is to be
hoped that they were ali influenced by lofty
motives, but one can question the purity OK
mans motives that would try either to obtain or
retain power by dishonest means. The conduct
OF some politicians rs reported In the public
prints Is . disgrace TO Christian civilization. In
this land there are ofiice-sse and Office
holders that have been so long in the business
that they cannot earn an honest living
BY digging snd they are ashamed
to beg. and they are willing to do
anything to sscure for themselves q share OF the
political loaves aud fishes. Such rules, il gener-
ally adopted, would destroy the moral sense of
the Nation. They strike at the root Of al! Do
litcal morality. Even nation cannot afford 70
overlook fidelity 10 small things The same
rule applies to tho GO, 000 600 Of people as TO one
man. The rules Of Christianity should govern
the life Of nations, and man should observe
those rules strictly in politics in the family
circle; Jet many q man who is exemplary III oil
the private relations or life 10 in his political
opinions too often ashamed of thu gospel OF
Christ. This is by no means confined TO any
of the political parties. Loyalty to Christ is
the surest evidence Of virtue and the sursst road
TO national greatness. He that IL unfaith-
full and unjust in small things will
be unfaithful and unjust in greater things.
The youth of the land should be taught the i'm
portance of faithfulness in small things. The
same law applies to o drop OF water snd TO the
earth There Is not one Law for the rich, the
wise and the powerful. and another FOR the poor.
the ignorant and the weak. The good citizen is
distinguished BY honesty. integrity and fixed
purpose to do right when strongly tempted 10 do
wrong. Religion without virtue 10 snare Pol
itics without virtue Is g delusiou. Liberty with
out virtue is cheat, and intelligence without
virtue is illuminated wicksdness. The unjust
steward began by INDUCING IN small acts OF dis
honesty and so do men who fall.
There is great danger in tamperipe with con-
science, the Doctor further said. No drunkard
ever began TO drink with the idea and purpose
of becoming n drunkard IL Is not safe TO io-
dulge in trifing sins One angry word may
lead to blows, and blows to murder. and murder
to the scaifold Some politicians, to achieve
party success, are willing to do many an act
which would not bear the light Of day. aud call
their acts simply tribes. One need not so be-
yond this city to see the effect Of such acts
Daring the past week some persons, when they
eame to vote. IS well as those
who were appointed to guard the
baliot-box, were watched IL they
were set Of thieves. This state Of affairs did
not come about ell at once; il came about gradu-
the proadest ship that sails ara built by little
insects. So these small political forces will. II
not checked, build rocks uDon which the ship
of state will be dashed to pieces. Religion and
Chrlss say that one ought to be faithful in little
things and that upon little things oftentimes
hang stupenGous consequences. The day is
coming when the Master will make those who
are faithful in little things ruler over great
things. and whatever person station in life,
II he be faithful, he shall surely be rewarded.
The Divine Presence.
At thu First Presbvterian Church vesterdav
morning, the pastor. Rev Dr. Haines. preached