Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-08-18
RELIGION AND PATRIOTISM.
MORAL LESSONS DEDUcED FROM THE
LATE CONVENTION.
What Minister of the Gospel Saw in
Its Proceedings-The American
Idea Exemplified.

Rev. A. NJ. Growden, pastor of the First
Christian Church in this city, yesterday
delivered an interesting sermon, employ
ing the recent political convention as the
basis for his text: Render, therefore,
unto Cesar the things that are C@sar's, and
unto God the things that are Gods
Matt. xii, 81. For many months the
Assembly Chamber of our noble State
Capitol has been silent, but again the ora
tors voice. that mighty power, has been
heard; again voices have filled the walls
with music; busy life has quickened the
blood of Sacramento's patriotic citizens.
Men have Wed with each other in an
effort to fill the approaching vacant places
with representatives worthy of the posi-
tons.
From all the counties, even to the youth
fol but promising Orange, delegates have
gathered, intent upon doing their utmost
for their favorites.
Delighted with the busy, orderly scenes,
l, with hundreds of my fellow. citizens,
have been again constrained to ask,
Where is the land that can eclipse Amer
ica?' Eloquence of no mean order has
thrilled us; business tact, far seeing judg-
ment, and wiihal, dispatch, have charmed
us. From page to reporter, from delegate
to Chairman, the same interest and en-
thusiasm was evident. Each one felt re-
sponsbility. Manly diligence, courage,
perseverance and unstinted labor brought
about its graceful contamination.
As we view these scenes. all who are not
pessimists will take new and more hope
Jul views of life. Just as long as men are
so loyal to that Constitution framed by
cody men; just SO long as they are so
ardentlv devoted to the starry banner, the
of all nations, there is no fear of
lawlessness or rebellion.
America is blessed in peculiar sense-is
placed under peculiar circumstances. Her
government is sustained by the people and
for the people. The country then becomes
her officers-from the President to the
modest village official-patriotism manli-
ness, honesty, uprightness are to be de-
And no less so from her citizens
We have no place for the man who has
smaller views than the Constitution, who
loves self more than he loves State. He
must render unto Cesar the things that be-
long TO Cesar; to the people of the country
that which is theirs.
Truly this nation is vast brotherhood!
The baptism of fire through which it has
passed has cleansed it, has purified it, and
be would indeed be small man who
would gloat over the sorrows of the South,
Or in an unmanly way boast of the proves
Of Northern arms. Let all realize that they
are children of the same family-citizsn of
The same fair land-and alike responsible
for the good of the nation. Let all remem.
Dar that past achievements cannot avail for
present emergencies. We live in the pres
emit; not in the past, nor in the future No
man or nation can be glorious while rest
ing satisfied that the fathers of century
ago were glorious That will not keep
country great in the eyes of other nations.
It takes much to win crown-it takes
more to retain it. Just as by the unwise
act of son family is 6ishonored, so by
the peridy of one in command nations
fair escutcheon may be blackened.
As have viewed the movements of this
large, respectable and influential body, l
have been impressed with the power of
personal influence. Six hundred and sew
enty seven delegates, each an important
factor in himself, each with his peculiar
could exert; each with his ambitions,
hopes and ideals. A nation which can
preserve the individual amid the millions
of humanity. is certainly destined to great
ness, if it has not already achieved it.
Amid many of the earth's Governments
the individual is nothing but the blind in
strument of scheming party. Let Amer
lea never descend to such q condition
May the preamble of the Constitution
1--WE, the people of the United States, in
order to insure more perfect union, estab-
lish justice, insure domestic tranquility.
provide for the common defense, promote
the general welfare, and receive the bless
ines of liberty to ourselves and posterity"
be repeated from mountain to valley, and
from the rivers to the ends of this broad
land. That is the keynote of liberty and
personal safety.
Foreigners shall know that when they
touch these shores they are to lose their
Asiatic. African, Turkish, Spanish, French,
or oiher tendencies and habits
which interfere with the rights of Ameri-
can citizens. America is America, not the
world. America must be a place-yea, the
home of liberty, not license. America has
long ago attained her majority. She does
not ask in childish tones for other nations
to teach her. Proudly erect may she ever
stand, enjoying her well earned laurels and
liberty. Let this glorious ambition fire the
heart of every citizen, that America shall
be the clea1est, purest, best nation that
Gods sun shines upon. Nothing but q
personal influence can do this.
l love the nation which says, Here is
the Bible; you have the privilege of under.
il for yourself 1t needs no priest
int raf hau etas n. =;
No country or state hes a right to say to its
you shall worship God this way
or that" 1t is mans privilege to read for
himself, to be fully persuaded in his own
mind. May the day never come when any
particular form of religion shall be thrust
upon the people. love that nation which
says You place your own representatives
in office let them be from the ranks of the
people. Let any man who has the per-
severance, ability and personal influence
necessary secure the office, discharge its
duties and enjoy its emoluments; the
laborer is worthy of his hire"
All righteous laws are founded upon the
laws of God. We need have no fear for
this country while laws are honored and
When the righteous are in au-
thority the people rejoice"
Again, learn the lesson of the power
of united action. AS the several candidates
were being nominated friction seemed in
evi,able. Friction means division, and
division means weakness; but we find that
the one who gains the majority is, on the
of the minority, accorded a
vote. Hence, the compact
solid body stands at his back. He is as
strong as his party. Let Gods people
learn the power Of united action. Go to
battle singly, or in scattered, weak detach-
ments and the devil will laugh at you and
gain the victory; but, standing a solid
phalanx you can laugh him to scorn. The
more the body of Christ is divided, the less
it accomplishes. There are spirits which,
when thwarted in their plans and disap-
pointed, VOW vengeance and destruction.
II is manly to take defeat in manly way.
Ifyou were in Heaven you could not have
your own way. Gods will was .Christ's
will.
See the power of perfect organization.
The work of the Convention was marked
by dispatch. Each wheel performed its
work as if the whole body were beautiful
machine. with parts perfectly adjusted. 1t
was a body compacted together" The
thoughtful may learn many lessons. If
these representatives can d(gote time,
talent and wealth in order to "render unto
Caesar the things that are Cesar's," how
much more we, who profess to be striving
to render unto God the things that are
Goi's9" If all of Gods followers were as
Jealous and painstaking for that cause for
which Christ died. how long would it take
TO girdle this sin cursed earth with the
light and liberty of the gospel2 Not long,