The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1888-07-28
THE PRACTICAL VALUE OF CHRIS
TIANITY As A CIVIL INSTI.
TUITION.
Address by Oscar r. Bledsee. ESQ.,. Re-
fore the Y. M. q. A. Of Grenada,
MISS, July ~, 1855.

Address ~ VOcRr fs nloOsVes 6sYss ne-
fore the Y. M %. A. OF Grenada,
MISS, July ~, 1855.
We propose, my friends, to make some
remarks on the influence of Christianity
as a part Of our social and political sys>
tenn. Such consideration win confirm
us in our convictions and increase our
satisfaction in that while we are en-
deavoring tO be Christians we are pursu..
ing the bsst possible course to be good
citizens and elevate society. The in,
Auence of any system Of belief upon so>
ciety depends entirely on its influence on
the individual. The mass cannot be ell
eyated unless the individuals composing
il are first elevated. I will remark:
1st, That Christianity proposes and
effects radical change in the individ.
nal, It's mission is the renovation and
rebuilding OF mans moral nature. 1t
effects this through the voluntary &C.
ceptance by the individual OF the sacri-
fcial atonement Of Christ, and the pro-
duction within the individual by virtue
of this acceptance and faith Of a moral
renovation--a new birth-the agent being
the third person in the Divine Trinity
the Holy Spirit. You see that / claim
that Christianity brings supernal, a
divine power, from without and above
into the heart of man. l believe this to
be the truth, and also the fact and ex-
perience. II Christianity is not this, it
IS nothing. Its influence IN the world
cap he accounted for on no other by.
pothesis. fit were not for this divine
power-this "divinity stirring within
us'-it would long ago have been over
come by the assaults of infidelity and the
innate opposition Of mans nature.
End, The central moral principle OF
Christianity is the best possible that
could be conceived of for the good Of
society, and is universal in its applica.
tion-"all things whatsoever ye would
that men should do to you, do ye even
80 to them" 1t does not mean the yield
ing to every imaginary and unjust de.
maud, but to all just demands. Under
this rule may be grouped all the practi.
cal precepts of Christianity, and ifcarried
out there would be no injustice from the
highest act of ofgovernment down to the
"small sweet courtesies" due in every
day life. 1t places before society a high
q divine ideal and the nearer we struggle
no toward it the better, the happier, the
more prosperous We are as individuals
and communities. :,
3rd, To particularize somewhat, viii
say that Christianity is opposed to al
violence aud discord-"If it be possible
as much as lieth in you, live peaceably
with all men," 1t proposes to achieve
its conquests by moral suasion commenc
ipgwith the individual as unit ant
thence working out and through societ.
Even soldiers are commanded to "do vlo
lence to no man, neither accuse an.
falsely and be content with your wages.
The slave who becomes chr stian, Will
advised to prefer freedom, is commande'
to bear his condition patiently. Unde
sll conditions the injunction is "havin
food and raiment let US be therewl.I
content" If the socialists, the anarch
lists and the laboring classes of mankln
in general would practice the virtues c
Christianity, the simplicity of life, tn
self denial, the contentment, thelndustrI
the lofty moral character which it en-
Joins, they would speedily and surely an
in most cases peaceably overcome, a
the expressions and injustice to whic
they are subjected. Vice, extravaganza
intemperence, self-imposed degradation
infdeiity, do more than outward enemie
to keep down the masses of mankin'
4th Christianity gives special empht
sis to those virtues which make poop
great and prosperous. 1t enjoins an II
tense industry-"We commanded you;
any would not work neither should
eat."-"If any provide not for his ow'
he hath denied the faith and is wor
than an infidel." 1t is opposed to q
fraud.-"Thou shalt not defraud tt
neighbor"-'just balances, just weights
are among its maxims. AS to moneta
transactions its salutary principles are
"Owe no man anything"-"The debtor
slave to the creditor" that keepe
money is wise." r.
To every possible pure impulse of =
d ciety in favor of progress or the elevate.
Of humanity in any manner, it gives
earnest sanction-"Finally, brethre
whatsoever things are true, whatsoev
things are honest. whatsoever things q
/. lust. whatsoever things are pure, VIII
soever things are lovely, whatsoeV
things are OF good report, If there be 81
virtue and if there be any praise, thl
on these things
5th. l will make last specification
the effect that Christianity promotes
tellectuslity and individual indepe
dence and virtue. These qualities .
especially necessary in order to repuo
can self government. In the ideal go
eminent each citizen should be able
think correctly, should be entirely int
pendent in his judgments and should
I ways have the virtue to act up to
convictions. It is almost impossible
conceive of christian man who has i
his moral nature enlvened, his intell
" emancipated and his principles all
N rected toward the elevation Of socie
v" acting otherwise Christianity exalts
individual morally. and in his ideas
his relations to God and his fellow,m
insists that he shall act uncompromisi
ly up to his convictions, and all th
convictions tend TO the good of soci
and common elevation Of man. He
true Christianity has always been in ia
, Of human liberty as the history of