The Pascagoula democrat-star., 1895-01-25
Turn on the Light.

believe Mssissipp's Constitutional Con-
vcntion Of 1890 was as grand, and able body
of men as ever convened ON this earth Gem
erations vet unborn will call them blessed.
when this convention was called our state
was at peace within and without, yet our
wisest men could hear the thunder Of distant
storms, and hence this convention.
Any one Who carefully reads our coustitu-
ton and legislative euactments therein, will
ut once see that all possible safeguards were
to b placed over aud around the citizens Of
our State against the invasion of their rights,
and especially are limits and bounds put on
corporations, either secular or religious.
See section 2G9 and 270 Of the constitution,
and then read section $50 of the code, which
declares all organized churches simply civil
CORPORATIONS; aul then read section $40 of
the code, which declares corporations shall
not 'Interfere with the SOCIAL, civil or politi-
cal rights OF any citizen" Then turn to the
BILL OF RIGHTS, which is the foundation OF
our constitution, aud under section le we see
religious SENTIMENTS are some Of the rights |
that are declared by our constitution as sa-
cred Now, Webster defines sentiment as
"a thought, prompted by passion or feeling"
or the decision of the mind, formed by delib
Grafton or reasoning; and defines the word
sacred, when used as in our constitution as
"enttled to reverence and inviolable."
Now, it should be noticed that when our
SENTIMENTS" are protected and held sacred,
this means vastly more than simply acts or
modes of worship. See section IS of the con-
sttuton. Now turn to section $40 ofthe code
and read. Then suppose one of the saw mill
corporations here should discharge, or even
threaten one Of its employees for being a
member of the Knights of Honor or Knights
of Pythias, Sons of Temperance or Loyal
League. 1t is plain this corporation would be
liable to a fine of $4,000.
The "Blll of Rights" of our con sttution
concludes by saying "The enumeration of
rights in this constitution shall not be con-
strued TO deny and impair others retained by,
and inherit in, the people" Now some of
these INHERENT rights are declared by II
defending life and liberty, acquiring, possess
ing and protecting property, and in a word, of
SEEKING AND OBTAINING HAPPINESS" That
man is IMMORTAL, seems to be accepted, BY
all nations of people, and that while God
revealed will declares mars Immortality
still we find natons who had no Bible, he
lieved and Looked forward to higher life be-
yond this veil of tears We also find million 5
4 Of good people, who believe and trust in sA-
: CRAMENTs and MEANS OF GRACE for the saliva
tion of themselves and dear children. They
f also believe these sacraments and means OF
{ grace are exclusively in the Keeping of then
church or its officials. In this way millions
e seek and obtain happiness and these ar,
4 their sentiments and rights.
i The great Master of us all has said that the
l. man who refuses to provide for his wife ant
IS children is worse than heather and inidel
j. So many Of our best men, not only look for
T. ward to the immortality of themselves, wiye.
e and little ones, but knowing the condition
u their families may be left in, should they die
join with others in a high-toncd, honsrabl
J. and moral association, in which the Bible an,
which treasury his family can and will re
ceive at his death from $1,000 to $4,000 will
Is which to feed, cothe and educate the father
u less children. This, too, is sentiment, but
y" is sentiment that prompts Thoughtful mai
to heed the word Of the great Master, and tr,
, to provide for his family.
y | believe Christ instituted His church OF
., this earth, and believe all honor and respec
' should he given it. Yet, when He said "Ren
der to Ceaser the things that be Ceaser'a, an,
l. to God the things that be Gods" He the,
Il and there separated church and state. And
:. YOU will now go to any wise wife in this Ian,
~ and ask her which will be the greatest help [,
her at her husbands DEATH the benedic,ion
a OF his pastor and church, or check for $2OO
I. from the Knights OF Prthias, she will answer
!. that as the smiles Of her God accompanied
> each she could buy more food and clo.hin.
for her fatherless little ones with the cheek
y and as an obcdent handmaid of her Lord sh
would prefer the check.
j. Now, let us suppose a case, and it is
ia very reasonable one, and one that occur
daily. Let us suppose a man is brought u
and taught by the church of his parents
a. which teachings he has delberated and reas
/. ,1 ,,,, t., i;,a,; 70 ~ w
T.. craments and means of grace of his churc
" & ~; !" us s"'n,'h "no h"pplnes'
;nt " ,;l on,a ~ "'" lne '',I W. come "no III
lnI "i' ';,jn w '"e o"'t"'"'' u, h'S WI
+ S;s rcIrnu" svrr,nryr revis yh %"H n"peS ar
l, ton dsc"re sncrrd and du t%e rn%e ,I I"sar
s. shni, "i NJ, L ;eu "a' ,ne cHue ueeia'e Ia
he r,,ht, ,,oo,,, ," "''", ~. o"I ''''
ne Nny snn,,csn rurthar .fhnt t,'is %'G ''s,s
rhi i; n"tl"I y" ",de., .m". ,i's u,an give
hrnd M ii, ci,nrn "' ,,i;na h;nh " V,S"n,]c A.,
90 t;nn bpcnnrs cornn,,,;"r G"', a W., 'a ss
T." til Of q our code, and suppose that he does the.
s MEANS OF GnAor fso necess,ry for h hnn "r
ness) may be given him and Ills f"n;ly M Xxx Xxx
while still holding and trusting in tbcse So,
n timents. vet as citizen Of Mississinni and
nd obedience to his Lord and Master he sees
II. TO proyide for his family in ease of his deo,
A., he untes with other ynod n"r,i man n'm, az
hin tba K,irhts of H. ,.nJ c,n 49, ~, "