The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-10-30

good AZ this world. Christian men must
other duty in politics II this country
Is to be preserved. i do not favor the
preaching of partisan politics in the
pulpit, but l do favor the preaching of
a broad and noble Christian patriotism
in every Christian pulpit.
American Christianity is now on
trial. Shall this Union be dishonored
among the noble nations of the earth?
Shall an indelible stain be put upon
our dear and noble flag? Shall Ameri-
can Christianity be stabbed to the
heart in the house of it's American
friends? The man who prea ches inter-
est In politics today is advancing the
cause of Christianity at home and
abroad. A few months ago 1 was in
India. Riding out from Benares, the
capital of the HindoO world, a learned
Hindoo, himself a heather, made to me
this remark If Tammany hall is the
best that Democracy can produce in
municipal government, / prefer high
imperial government; and If Tammany
hall is the fruit Of Christianity. l pre-
fer to remain heathen. l saw then,
as never before, that man standing
iE New York pulpit preaching pure
municipal politics is a missionary of
Christianity in heather India. This
republic is city set on a hill
10 NE Il lIk&SI IN pANGER.
"All the nations of the earth are
watching the experiment we are max
ing a republican form of our govern
ment. Can we endure the test? Is our
Gag, that was washed by the baptism
of biz cd from the stain of slavery, now
TO be stained with national dishonor?
Is that flag to be blaCkened by the foul
hand of anarchy? May the blessing
of God and the votes of the American
people prevent this national disgrace.
God forbid! Better that the nation
had perished in the Civil War than
that it should live to lose it's honor and
all that makes national life desirable.
God help us to preserve without stain
the flag which floats over our country
today as the symbol of liberty In the
land of the free and the home of the
brave l believe that when the sun
sets on Nov. 3 not an angel on the
crystal battlement of heaven with the
most improved celestial telescope will
be able to see a single plank in the
Chicago platform of dishonor. 1t will
be buried forever out of the sight of
angels and men.
"A truly prosperous church must be
loving church. 1t must be marked
by love to God and love to the souls
OF men. Love is an irresistible power.
Love has brOgue; a sweet dialect of
its own. This dialect can never be sue
cessfully assimilated with unlOving
hearts and lives. Love Is a three-fold
cord which draws men from self and
sins to holiness and heaven. Love as
Stimulates us to God, who Is not only
loving, but loved in his essential ma
ture. Love will fill the pulpit with an
indescribable but irresistible drawing
power Love will fill the pews with
earnest souls who. In turn, will go out
to bring others to the feet of Christ.
"All other gifts and graces are COM
paratively powerless without love. The
Apostle Paul was the Apostle of logic,
but he was also the apostle Of love.
He wrote the thirteenth chapter of
First Corinthians, which has been
called the New Testament Psalm of
Love- In that chapter he shows us
that love Is greater than sacrifice,
greater than eloquence. greater than
faith. greater than hope. Love is the
queenly grace. Mr.. Beecher finely said
that love was the seraph, and that
faith and hope We're the wings by
which it flew. If this church be truly
loving church, 1t will not fail to be
loyal labOring and a loving church:
and In turn. IL it has true love to God.
It VIII not fail to manifest true love of
God to all men.
"That God may crown the union of
this pastor and people with the richest
blessings of his grace, Is my sincerest
desire and prayer"