The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-10-14
CHRISTIAN DUTY TO VOTE.
so SAYS DR.. LANDRUM, OF THE
BAPTIST CHURCH.


Christians 70 Politics-CsthoIic Con-
-sunday-school Reports--Msss-
Meeting Mt DIR. Hoge's.
Rev. DIR. w. w. Landrum, Of the Second
Baptist church, preached an able sermon
sunday night TO large audience. His sub
ject was, 'sThe Christians Duty TO His
Country" and throughout its treatment
abounded much practical instruction.
During the latter part Of his discourse he
said:
one Of the most disoouraging features OF
our political condition to-day, let me say, Is
the Indifference of the educated and religious
classes with here and there an honorable
exception. the men connected win our hleh,
est institution of learning, the professional
men OF the highest rank, the soiid- suDstah-
tlal men In Uuf community, our bankers,
merchants and manufacturers, take no active
part and manifest very little Interest IN pup
lie affairs. Indeed, II seems 10 be the proper
thing" 1t isconsidered mark OF superiority
TO raw no attention whatever 10 the quiet
questions of economy and public imprvve.
ment and the support OF the free INSTITUTIONS
Of our country.
The very word politics is unsavory. II
means. good people seem TO think. degrana-
ton. Politics is synonymous with treatng
and being treated 20 whisky every nouI III
the day during the long canvass VAS h nc,ss
hearted villains 10 secure their SURFACES,
means the lowest forms Of trickery. intrigue,
demagogism. and debauchery. Don't
touch politics, i people nnt say az ool,tics -
After all, however. what Is politics? is IL
necessarily the baseness OF knaves, or the
Ignorance of dupes, operating through every
species OF corruption for the sublectlon OF
yirtne and intelligence? Webster defines
politics. He calls II 1.-The science OF govern
ment: that part Of ethics or morals when mas
| to do with the regulation and goverhIhent vi
| "A state or nation; the preserVatioh VI ~ az
peace, safety, prosperity; the defense OF lts
| existence and rights against foreign controi
| or conquest; the augmentation oflts siieng,h
and resources, and the protection OF lls GU,
zens In their rights, with the preservation
and improvement of their morals.
| Apalyze that definition. ! pray you. TOT
lIndifferentists towards politics, name any
other science that Is better WORN ny e' on;
and attention OF Christian men than the out
| line in this comprehensive definition foii-
| tics Y:Why politics is philanthropy; pontlcs -
moral philosophy;pOlitics IL pracucal fcllelU ,
| Politics addresses itself 10 legislation lor tne
| moor and for the reforms OF the criminal, or
his lust and proper punishment; for the pro-
tection OF the weak; the administration vi
| Justice to the classes; he education OF we
ignorant; the fostering OF liberty ana h"pp'-
ness -. ,,,. No
| How dare you call politics debasingY NO
so far from assigning the poIltlclah lne low
est place In the scale OF useful employment,
n has always seemed to me that II he mas any
adenuate conception OF his duty, ana mas the
manhood 10 discharge II, his position Is very
high. go so far as TO say mat ne isseeo ll'
only to that the consecrated minlste. VI ou I
ord Jesus Christ. Let me tell you, thht no
service TO our fellow-men II rendered ialth-
fully and efficiently by competent anu con.
| scientious statesmen, ls more needed to-uay
than that which lies wlthlh the sPheio vi 'ii0
Christian politician.
.ExHoRIED TO VOTE.
NV brethren. let me tell you II is your
duty. your unavoidable, Christian duty, 10
vote You will be false TO conscience ana 10
Il Christ If you do not vote; you VIII De tialtors
TO your country. The ballot, ut the right tllne
and in The right way. saves the coming OF lne
bnllet. Ifanarchy or infidelity or corrupt re-
Igion ever captures and controls this lana OF
liberty and religious freedom, IL VIII ne pc
cause Christ ians have neglected the use OF
| he elective franchise. Ii becomes us as the
representatives Of our Master 10 MUMMY, as
far as possible. when we can do no more,
when we cannot overcome the pohticai
| trfckiness of the Judases OF our times.
| More. II is the duty of every Christian clti-
zen TO accept Office when he Is competent 10
I'LL IL after his honest election TO me position
provided such acceptance does not CONNECT
| with obligations to his home or his relglon.
| Would to God that all rulers were Christian
men from the Chief Magistrate IN WASH
ington to the humblest constable In the land,
in every executive anu oNotiOh.
AN ASTONISHING SPECTACLE.
The astonishing spectacle is often pre-
| scented of many noble men cowardly slslnk-
ing away from the difficulties and embarass-
ments of "civil trusts" as SIR. Cleveland
called them. and that. too, In Time OF pro
found peace men, too, who would tomorrow
if occasion arose, don a soldiers uniform and
devote their lives for the defense OF then
| country imperilled by threatened war.
Peace hath her victories no less renowned
nray YOU remember this, and know that II
is your business TO go in and win them
| METHODIST SUNDAY SCHOOL.
The regular meeting Of the Methodist
Sunday-schOOl Society OF Richmond and
Manchester was held at Trinity Methodist
church Sunday afternoon; Robert +. Rich
ardsOn, president; Charles Il. Rady and Al
fred j. Gary, secretaries.
The exercises were opened with singing
by Trinity school and prayer by Rev. Mr.
Lumpkin.
Mr.. Robert J. Christian, secretary, and
Rev. j. Il. Whitley, pastor, made the report
of Trinity school, when was very encOur
aging. Mr. Whitley stated that he hoped
and believed that the school would do more
i'm the future than in the past, and he hoped
soon to see the entire eastern part OF the
CITY with plenty OF schools for all the peo-
pie, and all the people engaged in this
GOOD work as well and as successfully
as in other parts. The president then in
troduced the children's exercises, consist
ing of recitation by Ella Walford, reel
tation by Page Smith, duet by Allisse
Tucker aud Anna McCallister, and
singing by the infant class, under the 6irec-
ton of Miss Tucker and Mr.. L. l.. ID. WalfOrd.
The meeting was then addressed by Rev.
William 4. Hatcher, ID. D.-subject
.sRelatiOnship of the SuDday-schOOl Teacher
TO the Pastor" The Doctor said that he
was proud of the opportunity of speaking To
his frends-the MethOdists. lie loved to
E talk to people who were true TO their own
convictions of right and endeayoring TO
honor God and serve His cause. He con-
sidered Richmond grand place to live
in where all the various denominations are
living and working in the unity Of the faith
. a sincere desire to honor God. God
bless all the churches and schools
: in this city. He elaborated in a
; very earnest and impressive manner the
following points Teachers cannot never
substitute the pastor, teachers are largely
: responsible for the learning and manners Of
the scholars toward the pastor, teachers are
largely responsible for the attendance OF the
schools on church worship, teachers should
see that pastors have opportunities 10 make
) the acquaintance of the scholars, teachers
should operate fully and earnestly in the
work of saving souls. The address was al
able one, and will do much good.
The next meeting Of the Society will be
held at Union Station church second Sunday
, in November.
PROTEST ABOUT THE FAIR.
A mass-meeting of Christians in the city
was held sunday at DIR. Hoge's church tC
memorabilia the commissioners Of the Co
, lumbar Exposition, TO be held in Chicago
in 1892, not to open the gates of the EXposi.
ton on Sunday. Nearly every Protestant
church in the city was represented, and
over 500 persons were present. Mayor
Ellyson called the meeting to order and
presided. Among the ministers present
were: Rev. Drs. Hoge and Fair and Rev.
l.. b. Turnbull. of the Presbyterian Church
Rev. DIR. Dashiell and Rev. j. b. Newton, OF
, the Episcopal Church; Rev. J. Wiley Bled-
soc and Rev. DR.. Judkins, of the Methodist
Church; Rev. Jabez Hall and Rev. l.. A.
Cutler, of the Christian Church, and Rev.
DR.. Cooper ana Rev. 5. &. Clopton, of the
Baptist Church.
Rev. Jabez Hall, OF the Seventh-Street
Christian church, offered the opening
prayer. Rev. DR.. j. b. Newton, OF MonI-
4 ..