The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1896-07-16
God In Government.
Rev. @. s. Eastman's
Sunday Evening
Sermon
At the Calumet n. Il. Church.
other Items Of Interest Picked Up
About the Metropolis or the
Copper Country.
SECOND SERMON.

4
Tkxr-"Be wise now therefore. Q ye kings ,
instructed, ye judges OF the earth. "-Ps' 2:l(
In returning to the discussion of the es
sential theme OF this text, viz: God II
Government" do not feel called upoI
to apologize, as II we're presuming upoI
thing OF equivocsl propriety, but ! de
il in the full belief that am discharginl
one OF the most important and impera
tive OF my public duties. Not only have
no respect for the unreasoning remon
strances which we sometime hear against
the discussion from the pulpit OF anything
relating to matters Of government, but
resent il as an afiront to my manhood
and gratuitous interference with one
OF the most essential functions OF my call
ing. None, more intensely than l, would
depreeate the conversion of the pulpit
into an arena OF political struggle. l
would not have it become forum for po-
litical debate, and l would deplore, as an
unmeasured national calamity, its sub
serviency to mere partisan ends. 1t must
never suffer itself to become a mere at
tachment to any political machine. 1t
would be fatal perversion OF it's func-
tions to devote il to promoting the
claims OF rival candidates and parties.
The true place of the pulpit in relation
to government is back OF all political is-
sues and methods, at the sources OF indi-
vidual and national character, as a
teacher OF righteousness. It's distinctive
mission is to secure the recognition OF
God In government. As endeavored to
show this morning, God, by primal and
essential right, as the author OF the whole
universal scheme OF law, is entitled to
the supreme place in all human govern
ments. 1t is His right, and the nations
greatest interest that the government
should be constructed and administered
upon the principles Of His moral king
dom. But, under our representative
scheme OF government. this must depend
on the character And the will OF the peo-
pie. The primary responsibility OF gov
eminent, therefore, in this country, falls
upon those great educatiye agencies
which inspire the opinions and principles
which become the matrix, or mould, OF
the character OF the people. This is the
precise place OF the pulpit. 1t stands
flush in line with the great educative
forces OF the country. Its distinctive
function is to preach righteousness, to
set forth God TO the people, to magnify
truth, and justice, and righteousness, to
incite the people to the love OF these prin-
ciples, and the enshrinemeut OF them in
individual character. II they can thus
be wrought into character OF
the people they will surely crystalize
themselves into forms and acts of COY
eminent. And l further strenuously
hold that IL legitimately pertains to this
educative function Of the pulpit, not only
to show how these principles are to be
wrought into individual character, but,
also, at appropriate times, to teach and
illustrate their application to matters OF
government. 1t will sometimes become
necessary to refer to facts and instances
In current legislation, or administration,
in which these principles are evidently ig-
nored or perverted. The particular acts
OF mayors and councils. OF legislator and
legislatures, OF congressman and con-
crosses, OF senators and senates, OF gov
ernors and presidents, OF all public off
GERS and public Offices, may need, at
times, to be taken under sharp review.
II oppressive and burtful laws are enact
ed, II fiagrantimmoralities are committed
or encouraged, II great and palpable evils
such as the Mormon ulcer. or the liquor
crime, or the gambling madness, are
taken under the sheltering aegis OF the
law, or the laws officers, il becomes, not
only the right, but the most imperative
duty oil the pulpit to show how these
acts or laws conflict with the statutes of
Heaven, and, therefore, with the true in
terests OF the nation or the community.
and to call upon the people to decree that
these raging crimes against God and hu-
mainly be placed under the ban instead
OF the shield Of the civil law II the poll
ticians, legislators, and civil officers will
promote and enact measures OF wicked
ness, it is the right and duty OF the pulpit
to denounce the wickedness and call upon
the people to demand righteous meas
ures and an honest administration OF
them. II should be upbraidingly told
that the ministry should preach the
gospel and let politics alone" l reply
that 1t is impossible to preach the full
gospel without touching the domain OF
politics. i ask you to take notice that
one Of the fundamental aims of the gospel
10 to teach men how 10 apply its priDci
pies 10 all the relations of life. And one
OF the most important rela tions, in this
country, rs that Of citizenship, and one Of
the most important functions Of citizen
ship Ia the elective franchise. Would it
not be strange omission II the gospel
tailed to instruct US in duties OF such high
Importance The fact 10, christianity as
sumes control Of the entire manhood and
life, thus making 1t an essential part OF
the duty OF the christian minister to set
forth and enjoin the principles which are
to guide us In dischareing the high func-
lions OF citizenship. DR.. Charles Park
hurst, OF New York city, (tiod bless him)
evidently holds these views. From that
glorious pulpit Of his, on Fifth avenue.
Tor more than three years he kept on