The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-07-05
AT ELM PARK CHURCH.
Griffin and Monies Posts, q. A. R., Hear
a Patriotic Sermon by Rev.
DR.. G. M. Griffin.

In Elm Park church last night Rev.
DR.. G. NJ. Glfin, the pastor, preached
a patriotic sermon particularly for the
Lieutenant Ezra Griffin and Colonel w.
N. Monies posts Of the Grand Army of
the Republic. The two organizations
were present in a body and occupied
seats In the center Of the church, near
the pulpit.
Despite the intense heat there was
large audience. The only decorations
were the four large flags brought by
the posts and deposited near the pull
pit, mounted American eagle set over
the national colors in the organ loft
and a draping of colors from the bal
cony at the rear of the auditorium.
The services included two quartette Sc
lections, a soprano and contralto duet
and two national airs by the congre-
cation and choir
Dr. Glflln's subject was Have We
Freedom in These United States" His
contention was that while our form of
government was free according to the
popular meaning Of the word, II was
only so free as to be consistent with
good government. Absolute personal
liberty never existed, nor could Il ex-
ist no more than could there be laws
without lawlessness. He argued. how
ever, that an American citizen was as
free as he ought to be and as restricted
as he ought to be, and that his govern
ment could not be otherwise than sat
isfactory to the majority of him, mas
much as the majority ruled.
DIR. Giffin's text was the remark Of
st. Paul to the Roman officer, "I was
free born" In this and many parts of
the world, he stated, man was free in
self-making and an American was free
in law-making and in his spiritual de-
pertinent. This liberty ought to be a
sufficient road to individual and ma
tional goodness and greatness This
was a good deal of freedom, not too
much, but It might be- for man has not
outgrown savage instincts and laws by
the good and the majority are neces-
sary TO keep the badness down.
While the growth and development
of the United States had been great
and remarkable, 1t should not be over
looked that the country Is young; the
celebration of Queen Victorla's Jubilee
is in commemoration of a period that
has extended over half the life of the
country. It should teach caution and
the possibilities of long future.
He had not thought in common with
the ardent individuals who unwilllngly
believe they exist under an absolutely
free government and personal liberty.
There is no such thing. The fathers of
the government in banding the cluster
of thirteen stars had too much wisdom
to have unregulated any cloud masses
that might cause trouble. They were
Democrats and Republicans, but not
fools. Enough liberty was created to
he consistent with the purpose and
maintenance of good government, but
personal freedom in its literal sense
was not created nor can 1t be for even
two or three, for one must be privi-
liged according to the needs of the
other.
An infraction of the law has it's regu-
htions, so there Is no natural freedom;
there is no law without lawlessness.,
Concerning the independence of the
United States, DR.. Gifiin said the ma
tions fathers liberated not only them
selves, but emancpated England.
How much or how little government
shall we have? he asked In certain
directions much Is needed. In its
political sense compulsory" means
that privilege necessitates perform
ance as witness compulsory education
compulsory voting and the like. AS
man Is constituted he ought not to be
wholly free. As in the case of drink,
liberty ends, and should end where It
permits a man to be a curse to himself
and the community. That is not free
dom for the object of other peoples re-
strictions, but it is good law and COM
mon sense.
One United States citizen is as good
as another, however, as one ballot
weighs no more than another. In no
other country is this equality and So
cial field so great; nowhere can a man
begin life so low in the dirt and rise to
be such a prince of oppulence. Claims
are made for other countries, but ac-
cording to the actual state of affairs
Americans should be proud of their
properly Restricted freedom" OF
China 1t has been said that there is or
der without morality, stability without
strength, tranquility without happiness.
The United States has no such con-
trary condition.
DIR. Giffin concluded with an eloquent
reminder that without God there is no
liberty, without liberty no God. The
two were inseparable, he said. and
urged his hearers not to forget the one
in their interest in the other.