The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1893-12-29
W. e. q. ~. Column.
useful Lessons for the Church
From the Politicians.

|
sermon delivered by the Rev. Johr
McElmoyle, pastor of the Elktor
Presbyterian Church, on Sunday, Nov
IL. Luke 16, Is.
A difficulty in the Interpretation O.
this parable of the unjust steward" il
the apparent commentator of piece
of unmitigated roguery Christ seems
to point Christians to sheer rascality
and says, "do like that" Closer in
scription shows, however, that it is no
the roguery that is commended, but
certain admirable qualities, prudence
foresight, keen appreciation of situa
ton, what ought to be done, wise ad
agitation of means to an end, and prom
: ptitude in execution. These are al
excellent traits In them the children
of the world excel. This text gives Vi
ample scriptural warrant for introduce
ing our politicians and statesmen into
the pnlpit as teachers from whom the
church may learn many useful lessons
have said politicians and statesmen
Unfortunately the latter have become
almost unknown quantities, and poll
ticians are about al! we have in thai
line. There is wide and broad dis
tinction between the two. The politi
clan is man of temporary expendients
the statesman of eternal principles
The politician thinks and plans for
himself; the statesman for his country
The politician feeds upon his country;
the statesman dies for it. The politician
surveys the state from the benches and
through the fumes of the beer saloon
and whiskey shop; the statesman climbs
the watch tower of truth loving con-
temptation, looking before and after,
and learning from the past how to guide
the ship of state in the future. The
politician thinks he owns the country
and that il exists for him; the states
man deems himself honored in being
allowed to serve it and looks upon him
self as the country's servant. The
politician is inspired by love of pelf
and impelled by convenience; the states
man by loyalty to principle and con
science. The politician looks upon the
government as wealth creating
machine; political place in the light of
its opportunities for subscribing in.
dividual capacity; public office as fur
nishing facilities for speculation,
pscalatien and plumber. To him the
country or city or state is simply big
goose to be plucked and plucked again,
until sibilant and shrieking it tears it
self from his grasp-but poor thing !!
it is likely to De only exchanging the
frying pan for the fire, as it is but a
question of time until it is caught by
other spoilsmen and plucked to the tail
and pin feathers The politician is
DOT therefore, usually model either in
character or in methods. There are
to be sure politicians and politicians
But good and bad, they are wise in
their generation. and exemplify many
traits and qualities that the church
might with great advantage to itself
and the world initiate. We purpose
naming and emphasizing two of three
of these lessons which the politicians
teach the church.
| First-The power of a simple pur.
pose persistentiy pussuad. The poll
tician or placehunter fixes his nina
upon the object of his ambition. He
thinks ABOUT that, dreams over it, works
for it. He bends every energy to its
accomplishment. He prepares for the
primaries, lays his plans, secures ad-
herents and sympathisers. By BAN.
boozlement and bulIdozing and means
of every description, he seeks to gain
his point. Fhe'poWer of a single pur-
pose! We admire it in the politician.
1t is a noble sight, that of concentra
ton and conservation wherever it is
displayed. Fine trait that 1t stands
the general in.chief upon the field, clad
in the iron mail of resolve, ready to
wage war for its object. 1t marshals
into array all forces, draws them up in
living lines, compacted into solid batal.
lions. Not az atom of power is lost,
every energy of body ago nind is
brought into the ranks. each where it
can do the most good. Here is model
for the church. Our grand aim and
purpose she should ever have before
her and that she should pursue with
pauseless persistency. What is that?
The world wide diffusion of the gospel.
That is Gods plan, for that the world
is kept in being-for that the church
ov,e4e Tho al r;ek,op ~ tba ohuro 4