The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-10-29
Sermon Delivered at Math-
eWSOn 81. M E. Church
BY the Pastor, Rev. N. S.
Kaufman.
The Political Situation and the
Crisis for the Republic.


delivered at Matbewson Street M. Il.
Church, Sunday forenoon by Rev. M. y.
,aufman.
"When the righteous are In authority
the people rejoice; nut when the wicked
beareth rule, the people mouD. Prov.
xxx, 2.
That this favored Republic is In the
midst Of a serious crisis Is fully rscog-
Dlzeo by all thoughtful citizens. Our
most highly valued civic institutions
are reing subjected to strain and q
testing little less severe tnan that which
proved their sta bility during the dark
Gays or civil war. 1t Is time for STEADY.
careful, clear, rational thinking and for
conscientious action. The issues involved
are vital and fundamental. They relate
TO the warp and woof of nstionsl exis-
tenee, and not merely to questions of
temporary expectancy. The welfare of
every individual beneath the protecting
folds OF our flag will be affected by the
results OF the current campaign. Stupen-
oous interests are at stake. 3he cge-olc
cause Of human freedom again tremples
In the telance. There rs urgent demand
for the wisdom OF our wisest economists
and DOR most trustworthy tnanciers,
for the exercise OF broad and elevated
statesmanship, for clearest enunciation
OF sonnd ethical PRINCIPLES aud for EN-.
phasizinR boin personal and national
rigbtsorsnesa Neutrality in the present
crisis Is next 10 impossible. Indifference
cannot be tolerated. Eveu the pulpit,
intituted OF God to utter eternal truth
up1n divine authority, should lift up It's
voice In condemnation OF all wrong do
ing and in commendation of ell that is
right Never, in my judgment, should
II be partisan ana narrow, but bread and
patriotic. Its province Is never to stir
up NEEDLESS strife. but to so ailay passion
and prejudice hat reason mpy be SLOWED
opportunity TO ascertaip the essential
actors In the problems to be solved. / have
always maintained that the minister OF
Christ Is first a man and afierward the
minister. lie, OF all men, should be
al lie to enter most heartily into .thst
noble saying of lerence. which awakened
such enthusiastic applause In ancient
Nome, 81 am man, and nothing COM
mon TO man is foreign to me-" Every
thing that is of real interest to humanity
ought to be OF liveIy interest TO the gospel
minister. For the gospel ne is disiaely
commissioned IN preach Is not Intended
merely TO savo the sout In eternity, but
to rave both soul ana body, intellect and
heart, conscience and will, in time. This
gospel 10 divirely calculated 10 save So
ciety ana com ,nerce, paliics and govern
ment, science, art and literature, so that
ell their comhiGed power NAV oe devoted
to the development OF noblest manhood
and the most bssurifpl womanhood.
Hence, hold that, while the center Of
the gospel is "Christ and Him Cruci-
fed," the circumference of this gospel
includes every real interest CT the entire
human race. -tts comprehensive mission
- to chris ianize the whole OF lite aud
the whole Of the world. In Drummond's
hpt phrase, 1t Is to Rivs W. "A God In
hnbited Society,"" Aud this Is TO be ac-
complished by g'acua Ily yuringing individ-
tails into their normal relations win
III m, who is be life, the truth and The
way. This gospel has always been on tho
side OF the people against their oppressors
Through its benign influence the
divine right of kings has been steadily
yielding TO the diviner rights of tho peo-
rle. And as n consequence we have estao-
Iished on American soil, what Lincoln so
tttingly termed "government OF the
people, hy the people and for the peo-
ple." Governments are not ordained for
the few, but TO- the many. That condi-
tion of society Ia nearest the Biblic 4
ideal in which the multitudes sre -eason-
ably prosperous and happy. The domi-
nance of gospel inflnenne will produce
tSis result. "Wben the righteous are in
authority, tho people rejoice; but when
the wicked betreth rule, the people
mourn" al political parties acknow-
ledge this statement. And each one SAYS
10 the voters; II you wish TO mourn,
place our wicked opponents In authority.
II you prefer to rejoice, then, by your
ballots, lift our righteous party into su-
premscy. Men are so constituted that
they must have differences OF opinion.
iue s'me ihcts hHu pEihCiples neCebShrlly
appeal with varying degrees OF force to
different temperamepts and grades OF In
telligenco. A Christian view of the pres
ont crisis must lead all candid observers
40 make certain concessions. 1t must be
conceded.
1. That there are elements of right and
elements Of wrong In each Of the eight
political parties now appealing for the
suffrages Of our citizens. Each parts
claims to stand in Brm opposition to
Whist It capdidlv considers dangerous
tendencies. and In favor ~ certain legis-
lation which II deems essential TO public
veal.
2. IL must be conceded that the large
majority OF each parts are honest in their
convictions. Very. very few are the per-
sops 80 umptious as To claim that