The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1896-01-31
Qhell;emutraf-S Star
SOUND ADVICE.

On last Sunday Bishop Galloway
preached a sermon for the Legislators
that should be read by all OF our pe0-
pie. The Bishop took as his text, the
first verse of the third chapter Of
Titus, and accompanying Herewith,
the 18th and llth verses of first Peter;
all bearing upon the Christians atti-
tude toward civil government. He
argued that while he believed in Il
separation Of Church and State, yet
every man owed it to himself. his
country and his God to take part in
the government of his country. Said
he:
every minister of Christ should
be a patriot, but never a party politl-
clan. The mitre and the crown should
never encirele the same brow: the
croZier and the sceptre should never
be welded by the same hand. Though
separate, there Is no enmity, but the
strongest cordiality. Religious 0bli-
cation is not at war with good citi-
zenShip-on the contrary, the best
citizen is the best Christian.
Nor need our Christianity be cor
rupted by patriotic service to coun-
try. Eminent usefulness and activity
in public life need not compromise
the most scrupulously religious con-
science. Christian craftsmanship is
by no G an imp0Ssibility, The
plror which has hrp,luht nptplI mis-
chief in our country Is cOuched in that
old threadbare phrase We cannot con-
taminate ourselves with politics.
This sentiment is essentially PERM
ciOuS and destructive of the sacred
privileges and institutions of a free
government. The idea sought to be
inculcatcd is, that no Christian can
maintain his good profession and be a
public man. This is in direct conflict
with the plain teachings Of our Lord
and the earnest cXhOrtations Of His
greatest apostles. 1t is fruitful Of in
finite mischief to the public good.
Suppose this theory should become Il
general practice? Suppose Christian
men withdraw from any activity in
public affairs, social and national rnin
would be the inevitable result. But
this, happily, is not true. Many Of
the trueSt and purest Christians, jeal-
ouS and Jealous for the glory and hon
or God, have been the greatest pa
triots and left imperiShable memoir
ialS Of their unstrained honor and I'M
corrupted integrity"
In discussing the duties and obi.
cations of American citizenship, He
classed them first: TO EXCISE the
privilege of the elective franchise,
Second, obedience to rightful author,
ity, under this caption he showed the
evils of the pistol habit and the dis
grace br )ught upon our fair land by
resOrting to mob law.
"And their sacred duty, though
very proSaic and often unpleasant, is
to serve on juries. 1t is impossible to
exaggcrate the Importance of an in
telligent and in%corruptible jury sys-
TEN in the maintenance Of law and
order. What Stupenduous interests
are imperiled. What vested rights
are involved when placed in the
hands Of incompetent and vcnial jury
men. The most contemplate and
viscious man in society is the profess
sional juror-unless it is the jury
fixer.' Men Of character and active
business have betrayed the dearest
interests Of the commonwealth by
pleading frivolous excuses to escape
this most responsible duty Of an
American citizen"
In the fourth place he plead for a
Jealous regard for the faithful sup
port of those called to places of pub
lie trust. Altogether the sermon was
practical, eloquent and timely. We
hope much good will result from our
Legislators having the privilege OF
hearing such pure advice from this
brainy God-fearing, Collaborating
man. If his suggestions are but
crystalized into laws this Legislature
will have accomplished a great work.