People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1894-08-24
"Secularizing the Pulpit. "

lze the pulpit and clOthe it in all the
lnanmimate, intangible frills that the
spirituelle poetry of vapor nothing
ness evolves from ethereal emptiness.
The religion OF Christ Jesus either
applies TO everything or nothing.
Rev. BOtkin breaches the principles
and teachings Of Christ and because
a political party also happens to ad-
yocate these principles is no reason
Why he should avoid them.
A preacher may lose his pulpit and
become more useful servant Of God
by proclaiming the truth, than by
retaining his position and salary
through avoiding God.
If the political relations of the peO-
pie are evil, the first man to raise his
voice against such evil, should be the
minister Of the gospel of the meek and
lOwly Jesus.
The average preacher has no infu-
ence whatever, because he breaches
nothing but the various theories of
the authenticity of the bible and sal
vatiOn through faith without even
mentioning faithfulneSS.
The preacher is a man ana breaches
to men and women of earth, and
to lead them up to the heights
must begin at the foot of the grade
and train them as he leads along.
First, they must be led to see the
material benefits of Christian or
ChriSt-like, life.
As our immortal spirits are en-
trusted in mortal bodies, there they
must operate while on earth. As gov
ernment is the grandest institution
Of man, there is the place to apply
the universal principles of Christ
which embrace all men as easily as
one man.
That there is no compatibility be-
tween the two callings as now con-
Quoted, is the best reason why the
preacher should strive to elevate the
fallen politics of man to the glorious
political ideas of God.
A man who is fitted for the work
Of God should be of all men the most
highly fitted for the work of Gods
children in living and governing
themselves.
1t is not the fault Of religion that
politics has tendency to corrupt the
church.
Religion must either enter into our
public affairs, or the devil [ evil)
will control entirely.
The same sun shines on both the
evil and the good, and if evil is per.
mitted to thrive anywhere unques-
toned it will soon become unconQuer-
able.
Though scattered to the four winds
of heaven the good seed will yield.
There is no usefulness in cultivating
religion as a mere flower garden ac-
cesSible only on Sunday.
Religion should not be considered
merely as rare study for the learned
but practical. helpful principle of
action for all men in all places at all
times.
Rev. ]. D. BOtkin has always
preached against partisan politics
and the intensely partisan PUPPIES
are the only ones who opposed him.
He conscientiOusly considers the
evils Of modern society and govern
ment as much opposed to the King
dom of God as were the ancient evils
which Christ denounced in plain Ian
guage.
Christ called the scribes aud phar-
isees liars and hypOcrites, thieves and
vipers. There was no mistaking his
meaning. He never dealt in thread
bare generalitieS.
The pulpit is an institution of man,
set apart as kind Of apology to God
for the other idols-something like
giving certain class of citizens rep
resentation on the ticket to secure
their vOtos.
But God accepts no compromise
you must either give him the whole
or He will accept none of your works.
We must either accept the teachings
of Christ or deny them and dispense
with preachers altogether
Christ not only loved the world,
but taught men to love one another.
The "Old, old story" shows wonder
full loye-but love does not cease at
wonder and admiration.
True it is that personal opinions
are not Gods opinions-but persons
may read Gods opinions, or DEGREES.
Men should learn how to vote from
the pulpit-not what party to join
but what principles Of brotherly love
to pursue while voting.
While people read the newspapers
they should also think and measure
what they read by the law Of God.
Ven mas not want to know some