Telegram-herald. ([Grand Rapids, Mich.) 18??-1892, 1891-07-06
RELIGION IN POLITICS
Rssume Of Rev. ]. l. Jsckson's
Sunday Evening Discourse.
TIRE CHRISTIANS DUTY At THE POLLS
He shsaid study We'll shs Political Is
sues. Usderstaad His Daty To the state
cad DO 1.-THE vital Questions
between Labor and Capital.

"a Nations Outlook" was the sub
ject dlscoursed upon by the Rev. John
l.. jackson al the Foantain-st Baptist
church last evening. Il presume
many of you are not aware that there
exists Protestant sect ia this country,
the members OF which refuse to vote,
claiming As their reason that God -
ignored in the constitution said the
divine, Ia introducing his sermon.
The name OF TINS sect IS the Reformed
Presbyserians and the body consists of
10 900 people. An attempt was made
not long since by five ministers of this
denomination to have this remarkable
heresy set one side. They held meet
ing and drew up petition asking to be
accorded the privilege OF voting at
political elections as their con-
science dictated. These young
m en- were tired, aud expelled for an
attempt to contaminate the church, and
for not living IN conformity with the
church doctrine. We find that it is
hard work TO interest church people in
political questions. They do not ex-
hibit that vital interest that was shown
by church members of 100 or 200 years
ago. The old pioneers were fighting
bloody battles upon the field for rehg-
ious freedom and took lively interest
in all matters pertaining TO state affairs.
But now we have everything we could
possibly ask for in the way of freedom,
and we are inactive. We. while enjoy
ing this freedom, should not forget That
il we would preserve our liberty We
must be diligent. There Is widespread
| opinion that politics is debasing and
works an injury to whoever has any
| thing to do with it. This IS . false
| opinion. To be sure, We find bad
men in politics and We also find them
! in the pulpit, sometlmes-we find bad
men everywhere. Politics is not ban O.
| full, unless we make il so Ourselve Q.
If we have bad representatives IN Con-
| gress il is q sure sign that we have bad
men at home. We make our own law
makers, and We should have pride
enough in our country's welfare to take
q deep interest in every election. We
need to come together aud talk over
governmental affairs; especially now.
as this 10 IN anniversary OF the nations
independence, and TO make = careful
study of the cOuntry's constitution.
There are several moral phases in ma
| tional obligations, and we should insist
| on purity IN politics. tis the duty OF
the church 20 look after this and try to
keep politics on An honest plane.
| We are 3 strong nation, We have
nothing to fear from any foreign
power ON the globe; but there 10 one
source of fear and that is from corrup-
ton arising within our government.
There are grave problems confronting
us. Thousands of emigrants coming to
this country every year give rise TO ne
cessty for action, the problem OF capl-
tai and corporations ID one that de-
mands our attention. We should look
carefully after the civil service. The
civil service reformers have accom-
plished . great deal toward purifying
| the civil service. 1t used to be the
practice of political parties to assess
their office holders for campsign pur-
poses. The reformers sew that the Of
ficials were slaves to their parties, and
to-day the practice is nearly rooted
out. During the first half of
the present century the practice of
assessments did not exist and men were
put into office for their ability, without
reference to political influence. If
this government is to continue we must
have good principles for Its foundation
| and honest men at its head. When
men have the spoils of government in
their hands they possess q mighty
power, and it is the duty of christians
| TO see to it that none but honest men
have the power. Political parties are
benefit 70 the country and campaign
funds are all right If honestly used.
Funds ara necessary for distributing
tracts for the education of the people
upon political questions. This cam
paign literature Il . good school and
educates people to ferret out cor
ruption. The present is good
time to talk over these matters.
We are now midway between two cleo
| tons, aud we can escape the heat of q
political campaign. These matters can
be coolly talked over and we should
carefully post ourselves. During the
excitement OF a compaign men are held
up to derision, and bad things are said
and published about them. This great
many times keeps good men from run
ming for Office, and makes enemies of
previous good friends. The fight is too
o(npn carried into the church. We are
| never justified IN putsinga badman into
Office just because he belongs TO our
party. Ifyou are loyal to your party
you will vote independently, and re-
fuse to vote for q bad man whenever he
is nominated. Study to understand the
principles of other parties bessdes your
| own, and keep a close surveillance over
your party leaders The vital questions
| now before us arc the questions of labor
and capital. There 10 wide gap be-
tween them; upon the one side we see
the encroacbment of capital, and upon
| the other we hear the cries of la
Dor. They ehould be brought together
and made as brothers. The future well
| fare of the nation depends upon three