The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-02-01

N%AN4-4C VI IL 1<OChNOOO hAf9CON-SN go
the Tiff NJ. E. church last night. The
sermon was attentively listened to by
congregation which completely filed
the church. DR.. Lockwood chose for
his text the words:
Then said David to the Philistine,
thou contest to me with a sword, and
with a spear, and with a shield; but 1
come to thee in the name of the Lord
of hosts, the God of the armies OF
Israel, whom thou hast defied. Il
Sam. xvii:4-5.
Organized iniquity is like the bla-
tant giant of Cath. For ages 1t has
stalked forth before the armies of
righteousness, brandishing it's mighty
spear and terrifying the children of
God with its taunts, its boasts, and
its threats. But a youthful champion
has made his appearance in the strong
hold of civilization, and has picked up
the gauntlet thrown down by the bluS-
terIng Goliath, Iniquity. IL the twilight
glow that betokens the dawn of new
ana glorious century, Christianity, like
young David, hopeful, brave and Wig
orous. fresh from field and forest,
stands in the camp of its king and ac
OF sin. At the opening of the
10th century Christianity gives
no indication of languor or de-
crepitude. Its conquests in the
past have been notable and magnifi-
cent, but these have beer only bOyish
exploits. As it stretches it vigorous
young limbs in conscious strength, feels
the warm. generous blood course
through vein and artery, and draws
the deep luxurious breath of perfect
health, 1t barely begins to realize its
full force and. proves. The time was
when Christianity was glad to save
itself alive; II was prosecuted to the
death; it lay prone in the dust; it was
happy to be granted a passive exist
ence But it is a gratifying indica-
ton of its growing strength that in
our age it IS aggressive and moves with
the assured step of a conquere~. 1t
has but one foe; it makes war upon no
enemy but sin, but against sin it cher
ishes a concentrated hatred which
nothing can appease. My theme this
evening IS The Christian Citizen as a
Factor in Municipal Government"
THE CHRISTIAN CITIZEN MUST
ASSUME THE DUTIES OF CITI-
ZENSHIP.
The idea prevails. as l am well aware
that 4 Christian cannot consistently
engage in politics. Many of our sanity
brethren assure Us that their citizen
ship is in heaven, and devout editors
and politicians sometimes endeavOr to
encourage them in this deluSion. The
generous and sacrificing politician
who is willing to bear all the iniquities
OF the people. if only he be permitted
TO have, free access to whatever plum
der IS within reach, warns us to be-
ware CT politics. He tells us that we
are certain 10 suffer contamination if
We so much as touch the Unclean thing.
misconceptions concerning the real es-
sence Of Christianity have too long pre-
vailed. What is Christianity? Is it a
light TO be hid under a bushel? Is il
q rare and delicate plant that must be
nourished and guarded in a dollhouse
Or drawing room? Is IL mere dogma,
or sentiment or profession? No, il is
something more and better; Chris
tiauity Is a life and its worth must be
tested and its value determined by its
fruits as these come 10 blossom and
perfection in the shop ana market
dpon the street and IN the office, as well
rs in the church and the home. But
you say, we are told TO keep ourselves
Enspotted from the world" So we are,
but perhaps we might better say we
are to keep ourselves unspOtted in the
world for it is demanded of US that we I
remain pure even while we are engaged (
in hand TO hand conflict with moral !
leprosy. In his prayer for his disciples /
Christ prays, not that they may be j
taken out of the world, but that they
may be kept from the evil that is in /
the world. The kingdom of God will I
appear upon earth just as soon as good /
men, moved by the Holy Ghost, set to (
work to organize such a kingdom by !
their heroic and self-forgetful efforts, /
and it is folly for US to expect it |
sooner.
It is the crying shame of our religion |
that it means so little outside of the |
church and the home To a great ex-
-ent as Christian people we are respon-
;ible for the vice, lawlessness and crime
that roll their black torrents down the |
streets of our great cities. Religious
men, honest men, men of wealth and
shirk the hard trying
ana sometimes disgusting duties of cit
zenship and turn over the caucus, the
primary and the political convention TO
hugs, vicious criminals, and selfish
;cheming politica, tricksters. Through
ignorance or Indifference we sometimes
even fail TO vote. Under such circum-
stances can we wonder that politics
ire corrupt; that evil and disreputable
men frequently secure the reinS of gov
eminent, and that vice, crime and dis
honor run riot upon our streets, and
n our positions of public trust 1t is
that some protesting Chris
iens do not like the classroom; if they
10 not let them try the political eau
;us, instead, and if they refuse to at
end either one let them admit that
hey are sailing under false coIors, and
hat they are not Christians after all.
THE CHRISTIAN CITIZEN MUST
BE INFORMED.
It is not sufficient that we take an
interest in municipal affairs; we must
AXE an intelligent interest. A man
Who expects to be a factor in mould
ng public sentiment must know what
s transpiring about him. When
anne to this city l came with definite
deals, and steadfast purpose in mind.
cry naturally 1 Immediately began
0 look about me to discover, if posi-
lie. where l might look for support,
nd where I might expect opposition
q the work of enthroning righteous
ess and unseating evil. I find here
[ once as a matter of course, certain !
owerful organizations, influences, and
with respect to which !
lust Immediately determine my atti- s
1de I find here organized iniquity-
icious, blatant, and lawless as in s
very city; an adequate, well-organ- J
ed police force; an alert and ably
secular press; an ultra soci- {
~ element, not yet crystaliZed, but :
18th certain strong and definite ten I
encies: a powerful church organiza-
on which, whatever it's present atti- ]
lde toward politics may be, has for {
le past so years exerted a mighty in J
uence in shaping the destinies of the /
ate; several charities well-disposed ,C
T1nOrlx dif.pofa6 ! /