The Hawaiian gazette., 1889-08-13
VITALITY OF CHRISTIAN CIVILIZA.
TION.

TI0N.
L We are specially requested to re
publish the observations made by
the Rev. DR.. Dwinell at the Union
Church prayer-meeting on Wednes-
day of last week. The subject was
Vitality of Christian Civilization, y
and it was treated in such manner
as to reflect great credit on the rev.
erend speaker, and to show the clear
insight which he has in the working
out of social and political problems.
Not only does he pay a beautiful
tribute to the power of Christianity
in forming the basis of government,
but most touchingly alludes to the
solid political worth which Chris
tianity, with its associate forces, has
put into the land" The following
are the observations of the Rev. DIR.
DWinell, mentioned above:
cit has been long observed that a
plant or tree that is vigorous and full of
vitality is not SO likely to be attacked by
parasites or disease, and when attacked
is not so easily overcome as others.
Roots in good rich soil and fine dress
ing and culture, are the best security
against the enemies OF the garden and of
the farm or plantation.
'The way in which the recent civil
disorder in this city has been thrown off
by the community shows the vitality of
its civil and political institutions. Gov
ernments whose roots do not 90 down
into the intelligence and virtue of the
people, and that do not rest on a public
sentiment OF law and order, respect for
property and personal rights, when as
sailed by political adventurers and that
element in society that feels it has
nothing to lose and everything to gain
by revolution, must take the conse-
quenCes. There is no inherent energy
in them instantly to rise and throw off
the menace. The factions must be left
to fight it out, not along the lines of law
and order, or the public good, or of the
rights involved, but of partizanship, per-
sonal ambition, and often of their own
mad passions and lusts. The trouble
begun, no one can tell when it will end.
1t may become chronic, and the whole
civil condition be one OF interminable
wars and feuds of party with party, |
clique with clique.
''No other organizing social force is so |
good to furnish vigor and vitality to civil !
as Christianity. This is the |
most radical, the most persuasive, the |
most controlling. 1t creates in the COM
nunity around it, far beyond the circle
1f its protested subjects, civic virtue and
ntegriCy-men of principle and patriot
SIN, ready to spring into the breach and
meet any public danger at the peril of
heir lives. In Christian communities
only part-a small part [ will say,
speaking of numbers, not OF aggressive
orce-only a small part of Christianity
5 in the acknowledged disciples. A
arge part has foated off, without visible
into the humanities, the in
egrities, the loyalties to the things social
nd political of the public at large. 1t
S this emanation from Christianity
which makes all the difference between
he social and civic atmosphere of
christian land and OF pagan land.
''The events Of Tuesday show very
learly what an inlay of solid political
7orth Christianity with its associate
1rces has put into this land. While it
aries with it elements which wicked
ess may appropriate and use, as in this
ase, it also carries with it the means tor
ne speedy expulsion OF the mischief.
This young man, thrown up by very
of the influences he tried to
verthrow, finding the possibilities of !
lischlef in the worth OF the system he
SAILED, having his own time to mature
Is plans and extend the qualifications a
his plot and to swell the number of
blowers bound to him by fiery appeals
nd by oath and stimulated by the in
uence of the native press, finds only
nall following when he comes to the
vert act. The enterprise dwindIes to :
miserable fasco. 1t does not reach in
rm the dignity OF an attempted revolu.
on. He issues no proclamation He
pes not announce a government. He
PES not formulate his demands. It is p
IMPLY case OF outlawry, and he does
1t mitigate it by throwing over it pub l.
;ly the color Of political revolution. -
nd almost as soon as he has taken an
titude of hostility to the government, u
!, and the few retainers who dared fol- u
W him are hedged In by the rifles and
her conservative forces, and compelled :
hide and skulk like self-confessed out
VS.. 1t is a clear case OF public virtue,
gotten OF Christian faith, stamping
t crime. While, therefore, good men
lst lament the occurrence, they NAV
I'll take courage from the reflection
at the civil and political system that e.
5 sprung up on these islands is not a y"
'tball to be played with by political
ventures but has substantial and abid-
: foundations in the virtue OF the
ople"-[ Friend.
E1I--1a.azs-z-zzzsz-a 10