Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-06-20
REV. R. r. BIGGER
Blames Existing Evils Largely on the
Apathy Of Good Men.

The sermon by the Rev. R. r. Bigger,
at the Third Presbyterian church, was
able and interesting. Following is a
synopsis:
The dangers which threaten our
country do not arise so much from the
strength of bad men, as from the
apathy, ignorance and cowardice of
good men,
Christians ought to identify them
selves with politics and make every
ounce Of their force felt for Christs
sake and for their countrys sake. The
indifference of many Christian people
with reference to the suggestion meet
ings, the primaries and elections, is
simply wicked. No man can be true
citizen, much less a good Christian citi-
zen, who habitually neglects to exercise
his rights as a citizen for the best in
terests of his city and country. The
neglect of any duty is sinful, whether
it be religious, a personal or poilu-
cal duty | believe that we shall have
to answer at the judgement bar Of AL
mighty GOD for the neglect OF this duty
the same as any other duty. 1t is
kind of treason for you good people to
wilfully or indinerently absent your
selves from the suggestion meetings,
the primaries and the polls, and leave
them entirely in the hands OF selfish
and INSCRIPTIONS men. The time has
come when Christians must speak.
The idea that a man cannot be
Christian and at the same time take an
active part in securing good officers and
good laws for his city, is one of the lies
from the pit of hell. A man can serve
his God with just as clean 4 heart in
municipal politics as in church, If he
has mind to do so. THE wicked fan
cy that there are different standards Of
right for different spheres of life, is the
essence of anarchy" There is not a
religious quality Of right, distinct from
a political quality OF right. A political
sin is just as wrong in the light OF God
as any other kind of sin. That which
is morally wrong can never be polite
ally right"
Some people talk as if politics is of
necessity filthy pool" so foul that
Christians and especially preachers
must keep out of it. Never was there
doctrine more false Politics is not
inherently corrupt 1t all depends up
on the character of the men who rule in
politics. If the Christian people all
stay away from the suggestion meetings
and the primaries and take no interest
in having the best men nominated, they
must take the guilt upon their heads
for the existence of political corruption
in municipal affairs. The men who use
corrupt measures are guilty of the sin
of commission, but if you Christians IN
differently permit such things without
lifting your voices and casting your
votes against them you are just as gull
ty of the sin of commission.
Charles Sumner said politics is the
application Of morals to public affairs. !"
What a blot on the name Of our city
and country for any one TO argue that
the morals used in our public affairs
are so foul that Christians dare not
take a hand in politics. This very ar
gument is to my mind the strongest
plea why Christians and even preachers
should see that the morals applied to
our public affairs are the very best.
The object of the Christian Citizenship
League is to get Christians to bring the
spirit of Christ into our municipal af-
fairs, and thus prevent the rule Of greed
and unrighteousness.
But you say this cannot be done; you
say Christians are not in the majority.
tell you it can be done. What can be
done in New York City, DesMoines,
Camden, n j.. can be done in Wheel
ing. Joseph Cook says '"out of the 12,-
coo ,0o0 who vote in our elections five
millions are Christians and three mill
lion more svmpathize with them. 1t IS
your fault if our laws are trampled on. y