The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1888-12-28
CHRISTIAN POLITICS.

There IS wide difference between
Christian politics and politics as they now
appear in current history. Briefly stated,
the chief aim Of the first is to do right
without regard to party behests, the chief
aim Of the second is the triumph Of party
whether right or wrong.
The autocrats of the two dominant par
ties want no mixing of religion and poll
tics, and if man declares his intention is
to be controlled by Christian principle in
this as in all things, he is sneered at by
them and dominated Sunday school
politician" Moreover, they say, 'minis-
tiers of the gospel and religious newspapers
have no business to NEEDLE with politics"
The Apostle Paul, however, writes, 81
exhort, that first of all, applications,
prayers, intercessions, and giving ofthanks,
be made for all men; for kings, and for all
that are in authority; that we may lead
quiet and peaceable life in all goodness
and honesty The duty to pray first Of
all, for men in authority certainly carries
with it as a second duty that we act and
vote as we pray, how else may we expect
to have in authority men fit to be thankful
for? Politics in the best sense do concern
all Christian citizens notexcepting Christ's
ministers, for the proper administration Of
governmental affairs is essential to quiet
and peaceable life in all godliness and hon
esty.
The bane of the State and of the nation
to-day is blind party politics. Well-mean-
ing men, wishing to do right, are blinded
and misled by party press; allow them
selves to be chained to party slaye-gang;
are made to believe that the whole country
will go to the bad unless our party gains
the election.
The fact is, there is little # any differ
ence between the two old parties in ma
tional politics. The main difference is
found in this other fact, namely, that one
is the sectional party of the North, and the
other of the South. The life Of both par
ties is sustained by provoking strife and i'll
will between the two parts Of our common
country, and but for this miserable party
influence, we would soon be bound togeth-
er in fraternal bonds. What other differ
ence than this sectional difference is there?
The partisan says, There is certainly
big difference on the tariff question: Well,
| have just been reading letters expressing
their views on that question from six Re-
publican [. 5. Senators and seven Demo-
cratic [. S. Senators, and large number
from leading members of the House of
Representatives, belonging to both parties,
and judging from these letters the purposes
Of the two parties concerning manufacture
ing and labor interests, seem to be identi-
cal But to read their newspapers and
hear their speakers at this time, one who
did not see through the sham might think
the salvation of the nation depended upon
the success of one or the other party at the
next ensuing election This writer IS over
sixty years of age and as long as he can
remember the tariff question has been a
main question preceding every presidential
election, and now it is the main question.
What other is there dividing the two old
parties except the ali important question,
who shall win, be in, control the custom
houses and the post offices?
There is really no other of any national
Importance. In protecting the liquor bus
mess they are in beautiful agreement.
That business they both regard an essen
tial factor to party suceess. The men
who make and the men who sell intoxi-
cants boss the parties. The party couven-
tions say, i've must please these liquor
men or they will ruin us; as to the preach
ers and church members they dare not
break rank, if they should attempt kick
ing we can soon whip them into harmony.
How much longer shall they be able TO
say such things Of US truthfully? That
long viii the land mourn over desolated I
homes, broken hearts, and thousands an
nually slain by the liquor traffic J. H.,
IN the Baltimore Baptist