Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1896-09-24
OF CHRISTIAN ENDEAgOR INTEREST.

Webster defines politics as "the
science OF government. The poll
tician usually defines it as the manipu-
lation Of party. A practical knowledge
of this science is as necessary to the
citizen as q working knowledge of
astronomy or botany is to the scientist.
The science OF government" is the
| opportunity OF every man who would
intelligently apply his religion to the
civic life. The rule OF the people is
always tested by the measure Of wisdom
brought TO the ballot box. In State
where every man is king, every man
should have an intelligent patriotism.
Illiterat, patriotism is anarchy.
! Being posted in politics means more
than knowledge of the principles,
history. and genius CT our government.
Suffrage may be the legal power to cast
a vote. but Christian citizenship is
the ability to cast vote aright-ac.
cordipg to the teachings of Jesus
| Christ.
HISTORY.
/. The Christian Endeavorer may
post up" Oh politics by reading the
history of his country.
The patriotism which is grounded in
history has good foundation. The
| national history is made up Of Provi-
dence and politics. 1t is tho story Of
God working through the science of
| government.
There is a certain civil theology in
| the dramatic annals of our country
which every young man should study
! for himself 1t is liberal education
in politics to have an acquaintance
With the Declaration of Independence,
the Constitution. the evolution OF our
system of Jurisprudence, and the his
| tory of our form of government.
We learn "politics" by the study of
men. Cultivate the acquaintance Of
Washington, jefferson, Hamilton and
Webster. 1t 10 lesson in heroic poll
tics to stand at Mount Vernon. or
PAUSE moment by the tomb of Grant.
NEWSPAPERS.
2. The Christian Endeavorer may
"post up on politics by reading the
papers.
Every Eudeavorer should read the
daily papers, and keep in touch
with that kind OF literature which
makes public opinion. Be posted"
on the doings of Congress, and the
| pTuCttuluHb Vi 1buE OldtN 1cElhldluTts
| The man who reads his Bible and neg
lects the reports which fall upon him
every day like fakes of snow from the
great outside world, will not develop
systematically. man never gets too
wart on Cromwell's nose.
Read with discrimination, but read.
Investigate, think. Keep awake. These
/ lux, ha
Know what Is going on around you.
Get at the cause of things. Understand
what other men are thiuking about.
PRACTICAL PoLITlcs.
3. The Christian Euceayorer may
.'post up" on politics by taking hand
in politics.
The Christian Endearorer should ex-
ercise his rights as citizen. But his
politics, like his charity, should begin
at home. 1t is no credit to him when
he knows more of Venezuela or Cuba
than Of his own town. He should
pave his own streets, and take care OF
the cobblestones OF his own town, before
he examines the stars.
The way to learn politics is to get
into it in real, manly, straightfor-
ward way. John Ruskin taught his
students the alphabet of citizenship by
taking them out to mend broken road
near Oxford. The foreman OF that
gang was one Of the founders of the
university settlement idea.
Yes, 20 into the science Of governing
your own city. Look after the city
charter, the council or supervisors, the
policemen, the saloon, and the Sab
bath. The only way to learn to swim
is to jump in.
WAYS AND MEANS.
As 10 methods, wish to say word
for tho old-fashioned lyceum or debat-
ing society. Such organizations kindIe
enthusiasm and awaken thought. The
debate once so popular in rural
comuunities, has lost it's place in
popular education, though the leading
colleges are recovering this lost art OF
gaining and giving instruction on cur
rent problems.
There are young people in every com
munity who hunger for the contents Of
the latest book on social or political
economy, and who would gladly co.
operate in some concerted attempt 10
get at these springs of thought. They
need leader. This is suggestion
for pastors. They should, with the
least possible machinery. be organized
into a society Of political Christian En-
deavor.
Another hint. In the process OF
posting" yourself on politics, main
tain your mental freedom. Be neither
Individualist nor socialist; neither one
to the exclusion OF the other, but both.
Be neither optimist nor pessimist. but,
taking your stand midway, raise the
flag OF Christian citizenship.
We become posted" in the mysteri-
GUS science OF government by read
ing of history, and knowledge of the
documents, crisis, systems, men and
conditions OF the political life of our
country, and BY becoming vital part
of this history which is making, Of the
magnificent republic whose walls are
rising higher and higher.
But we must never overlook the
character of Christ, whose righteous.
ness we aim to carry into the State.
Young men of America, knowledge
of politics includes knowledge Of
Jesus Christ as the pattern Of great
patriotism, and the Saviour of the
y State. The highest study Of politics,