Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-05-09
Which Is Often Sadly Neglected to
the Detrimeut Of Politics.
ONES OBLIGATION AS A CITIZEN.
Where the Responsibility for Bad Gov
ernment Should Lie.
NUMERICAL POWER OF CHRISTIANS
rwRrrrES FOR THE DISPATCH,

highest aims. Assuming that in this con-
fessedly Christian nation the highest aims
fnd their inspiration in the principles Of
religion, young citizens" may proftably
consider the part which religion plays, or
ought to play, as a factor in civic affairs.
Patriotism is the passion which displays
itselfin the service of country; and the citi-
sen who makes profession of patriotism,
assumes an obligation to the State which
calls for the best service OF which he is ca
pable.
Religion, as distinguished from theology,
is real piety in practice, and consists in
the performance of all known duties to God
and man.
The Christian Must Be a Patriot.
While it is evident that religion and clti-
zenship may represent only altars at which
service is due, but which are ireless and
neglected, piety and patriotism must repre-
sent not only altars but ever burning fires of
devotion; and while patriotism may be sup
posed to exist without piety, in the manward
scope of its obligations piety is inconceivable
apart from patriotism.
The citizen who is not Christian may
ignore or deny the fact of his obligations to
Supreme Being, and in doing so will not
prove recreant to acknowledge duties which
he has solemnly pledged himself to fulfil.
With standard fixed by no universally
recognized rules, he may with apparent
consistency adopt and defend any theory of
duty which inclination or selfinterest may
suggest, provided only that it does not bring
him into conflict with the civil law. The
Christian, whatever his practice, has no
justification for a latitude like this. The
obligations of religion, in their broad ap-
plication, are clearly defined, and within
the comprehension OF all its professors. The
Decalogue and the Golden Rule, interpreted
and supplemented by the whole body of
Christian truth, enforce doctrine OF duty
which is binding upon those who accept 1t;
which admits no interpretations suggested
by mere inclination orpolicy;iwhieh is man
datory to its application, and which covers
the whole range of human activities, in
cluding those of citizenship.
Religion and Citizenship.
Nothing can be clearer to candid minds
than the fact that the principles of religion
put in practice are calculated to carry into
citizenship the loftest ideas of duty, and
that they must do this, unless those who
claim TO be actuated by them are false to
their profession. Nevertheless multitudes
OF citzen-christians are as habitually neg
lectiul of their duties TO the State, as though
it had no claim upon them which pro-
fession of piety compels them to recognize.
Some of these seem to assume that they owe
no duties to the State beyond those of clti-
zens not Christians; and carry this assump-
tion to the extreme of governing their
action in political affairs by the sordid rules
of convenience and expediency. Others
Justify their neglect of civic duties on the
ground that because the relations between
religion and the State may be vicious. they
should have no relations-a proposition as
logical as the statement that since men in
the activities Of life are prone to evil, they
may cultivate virtue by sloth.
There is ground for the suspicion that
these assumptions or claims aIe in reality
only apologies for the neglect, cowardice, or
sel6shness, which permits protessedly relig-
ious men, in their lives as citizens, to Ego
with the multitude to do evil" or to stand
supine while evil is done.
Duties to the Political Caucus.
To fight political vices, for example, takes
time from business and pleasure, involves
dlsagreeable work, brings no results pecuni-
srilv, which are thought to be equivalent
for the time demanded, and no honors which
are desired, or none desired which are within
reach. There is no injustice in the worlds
belief that religion thus e1emplifed is little
more than a sham.
Units in the caucus represent the State as
units in the sanctuary represent the. church;
and in the caucus, if not in the sanctuary,
these units can, and should, meet on the
common ground, where the best are called
to hsttle with the worst forces in society. If
the units on the one side are truly repre-
sentative of the virtues set forth in the doc
trines OF the church, and the other units are
too largely made up of those who represent
the vices which endanger the welfare of the
State, there is grievous wrong in the condi-
tons which separate the men of the sane
tuary from the men of the caucus, thus de-
priving the Commonwealth of uplifting and
purifying influences.
Under all the circumstances it is a matter
of doubtful wisdom for any in the church to
cry down those who scof at the sincerity of
religious professions; and 1t is worse than
folly for any to pursue this course who
by their equIvocal attitude invite the
scofing.
The Responsibility for Bad Government.
There is surely need for sober thought as
to the remissness of Christians in their duties
toward the State; and if such thought shall
bring shame to multitudes of church mem
bers, it NAV also send them into the political
arena to reinforce the supporters of that
which is highest and best, ami thus make
them a means of more usefulness to the
State anG more honor TO the church. Let
the truth be emphasized that responsibility
for the curse of bad government more often
than otherwise rests upon recreant Chris
tians; for there are enough church people
in almost every community to secure the
maintenance of righteous government, tif
they will take their religion into politics,
and Justify its definition by making it in
very truth "the real piety in action" The
actual strength of the elements which are
protessedly representative of the highest
principles which can be applied to human
affairs, is clearly shown by comparative
statistics.
In 1890 there were in the United States
not less than 13, 4S0, 600 members of the
Christian churches, exclusive OF Roman
Catholics, who enumerate in their fellow
ship all baptized persons, including infants.
There was at the same time total popula-
tion OF 62, 622 600, with about 45. $40, 900 over
the age of 10 years, with Il, ,975, 900 of voting
age, of whom about II 392, 900 in the year
1883 exercised the right of suffrage.
The Numerical Power of Christians.
1t is estimated that of the 13, ,4S0, 900
church communicates, not more than per
cent, or /, 760 900, were under the age of q,
and that of the remaining IL, 374 900, 65 per
cent or S,043 000 were women, leaving in
round numbers 4, 331, 900 church members
who were of voting age.
These statistics afford the following sig
nifcant deductions: Number OF church
members in total popuiatIon not including