The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-03-30
THE BRAMBLE WAS KING.
Apathy of Good People Results iu Bad
Government.

OUNSi uAiSHhs
Rev. f. II. Decker of the North Con-
eregational Church preached on the tenn
perance issue yesterday forenoon and
chose for his text the parable Ia Judges
Ix:S-15.
This parable was given to illustrate the
fact that the Kingdom of Israel was
cursed by bad government solely because
her best people were not public spirited.
The good trees OF the parable represent
the good men of the nation. The bram-
bles represent Abimelech, the iliegitimate
son of Gideon, and murderer OF all but
one of the 20 sons OF his father, whom the
good people of Israel permitted the worst
people of the nation to make king.
Now this parable applies to our own
nation, State and city. Many OF oar citi-
zens resemble the good trees. BY their
fruits we know them to be worthy OF
the men who rule over us. General Bray
ton is still the head OF the Republican
party, notwithstanding the fact that he
sold himself to the liquor fraternity for
six thousand dollars, and John Nelson,
convicted receiver Of stolen property, con-
trolled the recent caucus OF the same
party. Our reform ~ Mayor and chief
Of police make not the slightest effort to
prevent the scarlet woman from con-
tinuing her cursed work of robbing
young men OF their virtue. SO sure is
she that she has nothing to fear from the
"powers that be-" that she makes no at
tempt to conceal her business.
Our courts are corrupted. Our Attorney
General has secured the conviction and
sentence OF only one Of the 67S liquor
cases and 81 lewd and wanton cases con-
victed In our lower courts. No attempt
Is made to enforce our liquor laws. We
have. $50 kitchen barrooms, and many OF
our drug stores openly violate the law
regulating them to sell only on ply
sician's preservation or the purchasers
written statement that he intends to use
1t for medicinal purposes. The State
has little regard for its laws and many OF
its officers are rank perjurers.
Who is responsible for this state OF af-
fairs? Let the parable OF the trees answer.
The bramble was made king OF trees be-
cause the good trees We're Indifferent to
the welfare Of their nation. They were
destitute of patriotism. But for their
refusal to interest themselves in politics
the bramble could not have been made
their ruler. IL they had been faithful to
their country il would have escaped the
curse of bad government.
so good men, men OF the olive tree
stamp, could govern our city. There is
hands, but they neglect or refuse TO use
1t. The spirit OF the good trees is the
spirit OF many OF our best people. Pub
lie sentiment Is very apathetic here win
regard to the evils that withhold their in
fiuence from efforts TO strike down the
saloon and other evils.
Why did the olive tree. the fig tree and
the vine refuse to interest themselves in
the government of their nation2 Here's
their reply: "We are not obligated to
make personal sacrifices for the public
good. We are not politicians; our per-
sonal affairs take ell of our time and
thought" They saw that their course
would surely place tne government In the
hands of one whose administration must
prove a curse to the nation, but this fact
did not arouse them TO sense OF their
duty. Rather than enter into politics
they wonld consent TO be governed by
bramble. Is not this the spirit OF many
OF the moral and Christian electors OF
this city?
/ have heard the words OF the olive tree
from many OF our most prominent preach
ers when have asked them to interest
themselves In the no.license movement.
The olive said: "Mine is a religious work.
i am engaged in the most important SER
vice that IL is possible for a tree to render
TO its Maker, namely of producing the
oil with which His temple is lighted and
His priests anointed." On this ground
the olive tree the tree beit lifted to rule
over the kingdom OF trees, refused to in
terest itself TO secure good ,governm ent
from its nation.
Many OF our preachers have the spirit
of this religious tree. They do not be-
lieve that they should interest Themselves
I'm politics. Why should we leave our
study OF theology and pastoral work TO
study political economy and to work for
the establishment OF good government
The olive tree nlads serious mistake
In refusing TO discharge its political as
well as its religious duties. SO the
preacher should be a political as well as
religious leader. sympathize with the
pastor who prefers 10 devote oil OF his
energies TO religious work. II | should
consult my own inclinations h should co
the same. But am clear that God calls
us 20 preach political as we'll as personal
righteousness TO rebuke sin In the state
as we'll as In the individual.
The bg tree may be regarded as repre-
senting our educators. to whom we have
right TO say, "Come and interest your
selves In securing for our city govern
ment OF righteousness ard peace" IL we
ask the president and faculty Of Brown
why they are not leading us In our efforts
To purge our city Of the drink curse thsy
reply that their special work, requiring all
OF their time 90 study and teach dead
languages, IL more important In their
judgment than 10 strike down crime in