Omaha daily bee., 1898-07-11
THIS A CHRISTIAN NATION
Righteous Principles Are Dominant in Its
Establishment.
EVIDENCE IS FURNISHED IN ITS WARS
II tx characterized by Justice aud
Charity for other Nations and
sy Sympathy for the Weak
aud Downtrodden.
EVIDENCE is FURNISHED IN IT'S WARS

The services at the First Congregational
church yesterday morning were of a spe-
cial patriotic nature in response to the proc
lamation issued by the president. The
services attracted a large congregation,
the church which was tastefully decorated
with the national colors, being filled to over
flowing, and many late corners were unable
to find seats.
Before the opening prayer the pastor, Rev.
]. w. Wilson. read the presidents procla-
nation, and at the close of the prayer the
quartet composed OF Miss Jennie Wallace,
soprano; Miss Bertha Worley, alto; L. West
colt, tenor; and c. Il. Haverstock, basso,
sang THE Star Spangled Banner" Mr..
Haverstock singing the solo and the quartet
the chorus. AT the conclusion of the prayer
service and before the sermon the congre-
cation sang America"
MIR. Wilson took as the subject of his ser
mon Righteousness EXalteth a Nation"
and said in part:
we find the basal principle Of national
happiness and prosperity stated in the clear
and concise language of the proverb,
Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin
is a reproach to any people, Righteousness
ruling o nation must inevitably put high
honor upon it. A righteous administration
of the government, the practice of virtue
anu tllElbh Wy NiS iNSl'Ns J''N'S~ "
charity for other nations, and practical SYM
patty offered to the weak and downtrodden,
these are the things that eXalt a nation
ard prepare it for a providential mission in
the world.
But selfshness, unrighteousness, and in
justice, manifested in the official life of a
nation and in the lives of its citizens must
inevitably bring reproach upon it and has
ten its downfall. The nation that continues
to build upon sin and selfshness, ignoring
God and righteousness and justice, will
sooner or later come to destruction.
The time is steadily drawing nearer
when all Christian people will recognize the
divine standards. Aristocracies are at a dis
count, tyrannical governments are losing
their hold upon civilized people, and men are
coming to be measured more and more by
Gods standards, which put emphasis upon
the manhood and character OF man as man.
This IL Christian Nation.
1--WE have always boasted that ours Is a
Christian nation, and in a large sense it has
been such. Christian principles were
dominant in its establishment, and our laws
have generally recognized the
ments of God. We have closely followed the
moral codes OF Moses and Jesus Christ, anc
as a result of the righteous purposes ant
practical virtues of the ruling element
among our people this nation, we are prouc
to believe, has enjoyed in large measure the
providential guidance and help of God.
at is a significant fact that the men who
co1onized America were men of Cody char
acter, and they came with a righteous pur-
pose. The New England pilgrims and the
puritans, we are told, came distinctly az
|, Christian men to found Christian colonies
When the war Of the revolution ended, ant
the formal union of the severa
colonies into one nation was con-
summated the leading men, by {
large majority, were God-fearing men
| who sought to do the divine will in build
ing the nation and claimed the blessing o
the Almighty confidently upon it. The in
fuence of this spirit of conservation upoi
our national career has been as conspicuou
as it has been beneficent.
These are facts well known to every in
telligent student of American history, and L
some they may seem trite sayings. But tn
, times are such, and the scenes througl
| which the nation is passing are such, that 1
r seems fitting for all good people to REGAL
4 once more the righteousness and IN
, earnestness of those whose labors an
sacrifices became the foundation stones O
our nation, and to ask ourselves whethe
= there is not some logical connection betwee'
the character and the sacrifices of III
5 founders and builders of the nation, and tn
signal evidences of Gods favor to us i
b these recent days.
2 I've may feel assured that the tendenc
S Of the present war, and the general out
S come of its battles thus far, are the strong
@ est possible indications OF a divine provi
e dence working in the history of the nation
engaged in the terrible conflict. Shall W
r not oscribe our blessings and our %victorie
to the power that comes when a nation put
: itself on the side of righteousness and God
a And shall we not explain the defeat of on
!. enemy by its long record of national sin an
unjust oppression? 2"