Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-12-10
RELIGION AND POLITICS.

World, of Philadelphia:
In a republic, politics should occupy the
earnest thought and he the serious concern o.
the best citizens. The clergy is usually. con
sidered narrow and impractical; but few
months ago / neard from clergymans lips the
best definition OF religion and politics that
ever heard. 1t was this: Religion at its bes
is politics; and politics at its best is religion.
Yes, religion can do nothing better than to Sc
change conditions that the bountiful plenty that
God gives us shall be SO distributed that no
mouth shall hunger, no head be unsheltered,
and the peace of contentment and the light OF
hope be in every face. This is the acme OF re-
ligion OH earth, and it must be done by politics.
The equitable and honest operation OF all pub
lie utilities, as transportation, exchange (bank-
ing) ETC., for the service of the general public
at cost, eliminating the element OF profit, and
the use of land as an impartial heritage from
God to the human race, would very largely re-
move speculative features from our civilization.
Young America" would cease to race for a
fortune and settle down TO a commendable SER
vice to the community, and the upbuilding of
his real self--his mind, heart and soul. The
following inscription found over an an
cient temple: "The world was given us for our
own upbulding, not for the raising of sumptu-
Gus houses; 4;fe, for the discharge of moral aud
religious duties, not for pleasurable indulgence;
wealth, to be literally bestowed not avarcious-
ly boarded; learning, to produce good actions,
not empty disputes" This is religion and
politics can aid it by taking away those oppor-
tunities for the strong or the cunning to amass
wealth, and by giving opportunity for every
honest and industrious man to own a home and
rear his family decent1y. Succeis in life is
measured by success in gettng-not much diff
ference how. The prominent citizen" is the
one who has surrounded himself wife posses
sons. True religion measures inward poses
sons rather than outward possessions. The
conditions under which we live in this country
stimulate avarice, greed, selishness, arrogance,
haughtness and all the rank weeds i'll the hui
man heart that it is the duty of religion to ex-
terminate Now and then preacher perceves
the great fact that the way to ezterminate these
things is to remove the conditions that favor
their growth When such preacher is not a
coward he does excellent service in his calling;
then the "leading pillars" iii his congregation
'squirn" under his words and he may occa-
sionally be dismissed for doing the Lords work
in too straightforward manner to suit those
who do not wish to be disturbed i'll their afflu
ence But his words will be eternal-their
echo will come back again and again, and f.
nally be accepted; for truth can never be per-
manently crushed. Such man is greater dis
missed than many retained bishop in his
robes easing the smtten conscience or apollo
gizing for things that he should condemn.
But | did not intend to preach a sermon
when sat down to write ! merely wanted to
say that political questions are not necessarily
partisan ouestions and while it is all right to
consider in these columns political questions as
they affect the medical profession of this coun-
try, it is not proper to consider them i'll par
tisan way. They should be considered from
the standpoint of patriot and not a partisan.