New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-08-17
THE LESSON OF ABSALOM.
DR.. MACARTHUR COMPARES THE CHI
CAGO CANDIDATE WITH HIM.
DEMAGoG1sM IN THE DAYS OF ISRAEL AND To-
DAY-THE PARALLEL BETWEEN THE CHAR

DE>lAGoGIsM IN THE DAYS OF ISRAEL AND TO
DAY-THE PARALLEL BETWEEN THE CHAR
ACTERs OF ABsALoM AND BRYAN.
The Rev Dr. Robert S. Macarthur. pastor Of
Calvary Baptist Church, Fifty-seventh-st, near
Sixth-ave. preached last night on "A Spacious
Bible Candidate" Although Or. Macarthur never
mentioned the name Of William J. Bryan In his
sermon. his remarks clearly referred to him. He
drew parallel in the sermon between Absalom.
the rebellious of David. and the candidate
nominated Chicago. He spoke in part fol-
lows:
Absalon was candidate for the throne of Israel
He was the third son OF David and in many
ways a very attractive man. He deemed 10 be
the handsonest man in the kingdom lie was espe-
cialy observed for the beauty OF his hair. 1t was
Veiob. recorGeG a. the Condition and quality Of
his hair was a matter Of national Importance He
secured the death of his brother Ammon. and was
obliged 10 go away for a period into Punishment.
gan to plot for his fathers throne We are to-
night to look at some Of Absaloms characteristics
for high office. Absaom q spectacular can
didate but he also believed that he was the child
Of destiny He may have carried about him some
superstitious tokens OF good fortune. lie seems 10
have assured himself that he was divineiy selected
as the next King Of Israel This daShing Young
man secured chariots and hcrses and veried out
riders. David himself never made such dazzling
Us spectacular candidate for time caught the
popular fancy. In his chariot he drove every morn
ing 10 the city gate and there he was accessible
10 all He surely a model of audacious spen-
dor Human ma ture is much the same In every age
and country and the gullible people are not dead
For time they are taken with theatrical posing
and with striking metaphors. For a time they are
dazzled by the triumphant march OF modern can
didate across the continent but In the long run
only worth wins and in the end all men md their
level. cocrr
Absalom as a candidate a demagogue; as a
demagogue he may be equalled but scarcely sur
passed in modern times. The primary meaning OF
the word demagogue is a leader Of the people, but
the word has come mean an unprincipled ana
factious orator. He Is a man VINO secures IN
nuence with certain classes by pandering TO their
preudices or perhaps. catering 10 their ignorance
lie is especially one who uses all his power over
rnalconteuts to excite them against established
forms of government. He Is usually man win
an element OF anarchy IN his own SOUL VINO
fans the anarchistic fame in others. All THIS ADJ
SALON. did He early at the city gate. no" al
mirable is this picture OF Absalom coaxlng Win
fattering words those who approach the city
gate, How tenderly he inquiries OF each man re-
garding his name and his locality ne currles
favor with the multitude He Is haii-felow- well
mot with everybody He declares that every man
cause Is right and he laments that there was not
somebody deputed TO hear each one. he sklItuny
insInuatcd that there great cause for dssatis-
faction between the classes, and II he only were
elected every man might have virtually what ne
wished He proba bly, gave all permission 10 go
upon the grass when they came 10 the capital al
jerusalem and he would distribute postofices, no
doubt when he exalted 10 the throne.
The Absaloms stu live; they still reflect on the
administration Of justice; they hint at the recon
struction OF courts and they make ambitious dis
play OF their love for the workngman Ihey sun
strive TO excite admiration and secure place. they
still atttudinize. critcise and illusionize Some