Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-07-27


Christ who refused to act as an arbi-
traitor in dispute about property, and
who. uttered the great words: Render
unto Caesar the things that be Gaze
sars, and unto God the things that be
Gods" OF St. Paul, who refrained from
any 1nvective against the tyrannieS OF
Rome. enJoined his disciples 10 obey
the authorities as ministers of God.
ana sent OneSinuS back to Philemon.
On the other hand the prophets of the
Ola Testament are brought forward,
ana we are reminded that they dealt
with the moral aspects of great pub
lie questions. and the great text that
whatever we do is to be done TO the
glory of God, with others of Il similar
character is quoted to show that since
Christian principles must enter into all
departments, the teacher of Christianity
cannot limit. or confine his instruc-
tons to any one realm. AS he is per-
united to give his advice about the
family, that divine. that private, that
sacred institution in the same way. 1t
Is argued. ought he to give his opinion
on the moral aspect of questions that
Affect the welfare OF the State.
IL is not eNpcdient to discuss this
Vexed question at any length this
morning. Certainly the examples of
Christ and St. Paul. prociaiming their
message under the domination of pa
gan state. show that prudence and
self-restraint must be practiced. More
over. the experience of pricst-riddcn
countries. If history can prove any
thing. has abundantly demonstrated
the folly of giving the control Of the
state into the hands of Missionaries and
theorists, even though they be minis
tcrs OF the gospel and their vision be
as beautiful as the Jerusalem that Is
let down from heaven.
we Will do not wisely to take our
L., g mr.
any other, from the pulpit, but from
the Judge, and the responsible ana
trained expounders of statutes. II
Will greatly weaken the power of the
preacher if he undertakes TO discuss
officially financial and administrative
problems. In which he Is IMMERSED ana
his opinions are entitled TO no special
weight. Certainly the example of Christ
and st. Paul, ana the history of the
church, show the Importance of self
restraint and prudence III handling
these questions.
But on the other hand 1t is impos-
sible to ignore the fact that wherever
Christianity has become the dominant
religion men hive felt that in their or
ganized relation az a State. as we'll as
in their private and domestic capaci-
ties, they must strive to exhibit Chris
ton principles. From the day when
Ambrose refused To admit the Emperor
TheodoSiuS to receive the symbols of
the spotless Lamb of God in hands
so revcngefully slain at Thessalonica.
down to our own day when the min
listers of England successfully protest
co against the regulations of the army
in India, whereby the State facilitated
and safe-guarded violations OF the
Seventh Commandment. and the min
listers OF New York. by = similar pro
test. prevented the Introduction in that
city of the official recognition and safe
guarding of vice, which Is the hideons
blot upon the osCutcheons of Berlin and
Paris.-all down through these years
1t has been found impossible to Keep
tho church from pointing out the moral
side of these questions and insisting
that where there Is a moral aspect IL
shall not be overlooked for consider
atoms of finance or power. III the ex-
ample of Christ teaches sclf-control.
the spirit OF Christ claims dominion
extension authority and universal APP
plication.
In churches which have abandoned
the infantile system of the confess
sional the only method that Is left Is
for the preacher TO discuss these great
themes from the pulpit. In doing SO he
must lay his chief emphasis OH
principles. that he may not en-
croach upon the liberty OF the
individual conscience, or attempt to
lord it over Chtlsts heritage; but at
the same time. IN order that the whole
discussion may not iloat in the air. so
to speak, and remain suspended in
space, without any apparent relation 10
the problems of life. he must not shrink
from pointing out the departments into
which these principles must I've carried.
the general nature of their operation in
these spheres and the features In life,
public domestic and private. which are
clearly antaBonistic to the spirit and
rule of Jesus Christ, whom We profess
to serve as King Of Kings and Lord OF
lords. Much az value the news
papers and the work OF the editors, !
do not think that the minister. as q
specially trained official teacher of
ethics. can afford to relInquish this
province entirely to them. Peculiarly
removed from political ambitions and
with no financial schemes to further.
the minister occupies position of
acknowledged "Reminiscences
With this understanding OF the funo-
lions of a preacher. / propose to dis
cuss this morning the situation in
China. 1t Is unnecessary to say that
upon the military. naval. diplomatic
and administrative features of the sit
uation have no message. ] have great
confidence in our soldiers and sailors.
and I realize that the country has it's
chosen leaders and guides on these sub
jects. With the origin OF this outbreak
of fanaticiSm, fury and ferocity we
are. however, very closely concerned
inasmuch as 1t Is n common remark
heard everywhere on the streets. that
after this frightful loss of life It would
be we'll for us to keep our missionaries
Mt home. Some go so far as to say that
after this treatment of our people. they
Will send no more money to China:
that they are opposed to forcing the
gospel on anybody that the Chinese
have shown very vigorously that they
do not want us. which ought to end
the ma tier: that the gospel cannot he
Mt hI- l.