The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1900-07-09
i doctrine which is ignored or forgotten BY

| 4 doctrine which is ignored or forgotten BY
| multitudes Ia these days.
..Au that is claimed for this platform OF
prosrsty Is no, mere dsc,na' ~. , or i sx
pcrienc- Of the past All history pears VIII
| ness to its truthfulness. just TO the degree
that il has been faithfully observed. IL has
brought peace and prosperity TO the peopie
who Ob.yed il.
But there is another consideration tina:
should enforce the lesson of our text II
Is that furnished by the duties and oppof-
tInities before us as a nation. The opening
of the new century finds us facing respon-
slbilities, and with new and strange prob
lens, such as our fathers never dreamed OF.
demanding wise and speedy solution.
Marvellous events are taking place. IN me
providence OF God among the nations. The
most ancient and most populous empire on
the face OF the globe. including one-fourth
throes of a great neutrality-suspicious. its
dissolution. From the nature OF the cdse
We cannot be disiuterested spectator. The
claims of humanity. and or fidelity TO our
own citizens demand some action on our
part. Besides this. in a most unexpected
and disinterested way. the burden OF the
hons in tho islands of the seas has been
laid upon u.s. God i'll his providence has
called rs 20 take part In movements which
are destined TO affect the course of events
in the coming century for the whole world.
No nation. as no man. can live nooy and
live unto itself. II must bear the burdens
Of others. We are wont to call ourselves
an elect nation. and so in true sense We
are.
"Eut God does not elect men or nations,
simply to show favoritism TO them, hut
rather to use them in his service for the
good of others. How then are We to meet
cur manifest destiny? a new word has
been coined to designate the policy which
Should be followed. It is imperialism
As TO its political meaning. and as defining
nothing to say. Ii by imperialism ia meant
the subjugation Of other nations, for our
own advantage. If IL is the Imperialism OF
ancient Rome, which planted Its banners
in far-on India. to hold unwilling peoples
subject 10 its power. and TO bring the spells
of conquered provinces to minister to the
pride and luxury o; the capitol. then it is
most base and contrary TO Righteousness.
But If i Is the imperialism OF love and
goodwill. II il is the royal authority of SUI
rerior intelligence and justice and truth
going forth TO redeem and serve. those who
are the slaves Of ignorance and the victims
OF nisrule. II II seeks TO establish justice
and liberty. and to give light where dark
, ness reigned, then il is most noble and
divine.
Nations. a. history shows. have a
proVidentiai mission. and they all must
minister to the accomplishment of Gods
great purpose in the establishment Of the
kingdom OF Christ. Our past history con-
firms the belief that We as a nation are
called "a special service in connection
with that kingdom. True. there Is much in
present condition that shows unfit
for our high service. We cannot blind our
eyes To the widespread prevalence of i'm
nCrtntN ana SOCieSSneSS beIedtn Sulfl
, veneer of our civilization there is an
amount OF selfish greed. OF fei ocity. and
brutality. Of sordid commerciaism and
With alarm Our is very far from being
"a thoroughly regencrated society, fit to be
Incorporated in the kingdom of God,
AT the same tine there are evidences
that God through his word and by his
spirit. is leading US on TO better things.
We are at least becoming more keenly alive
to the abemination and shame OF existing
evils. Higher and clearer Ideals of civic
righteousness are abroad amons the peo-
pie There Is sfTWnS, o i bn aor h Idrf s
a Stricter account for its use Tho re-
sponsibilities of Christian citizenship are
ing earnestness and power in the demand
for wholesome reforms. 1t Is not a time
for dependency. but rather for hope, and
high service. Brighter and better days
than ever have come to Us are before us.
If We remain faithful in ohed ence to that
gospel which taught us our rights and Sc
cured for our liberties.
Men make other platforms whose adop-
ton they assure us is essential to pros
I,erity. and their merits are proclaimed
abroad with passionate energy and fiery
zeal They are noisily advocated for a
season and then laid aside to be forgotten
and s ,p Sy new advocate %ne "i not 30
during az the throne Of God. The ages can
not bring decay TO t.. Proeress can not
rake IL antiquated. II Is the standard of
Justice and liberty: 1t judges all parties
There are two things at the present time
which ought TO bring this matter to our
serious consideration. One Is the recent
recurrence of our national Independence
Day. commemorative our birth as a nation.
II has lust been celebrate led around the world
earth as a time OF joyful remembrance. II
is a day that marks "A new era In the prog
recess Of the race II Is S 2 day that reminds
us. The movement inausurated on the
Fourth OF Jny ,Is7S. has become the wonder
the land which he has given us. His prom
Use IL fulfilled: All the people Of the earth
shall see that thou art called by the name
thee A nation greater and richer than
our fathers ever dreamed of possesses this
continent 1t has had an unexampled ca
reer of prosperity. In the short space OF
little more than century II has grown to
be one of the foremost nations OF the world.
NoNhers. Is the lot of the masses of men
more fortunate or more to be desired than
among us. Nowhere is the lot OF the la
boring man less serviie or MS toll more
legged classes, no hereditary aristocracy, or
proud hierarchies exist among US to fetter
IN, Ile bigSss, station in honor and usefuIness
is open to all. Here We hold the rights Of
men to be above the rights of Kings or
whatever name called. And this democracy.
this rule of the people. has its inspiration
and draws its authority from the gospel Of
"But the danger is that we in our pride
and strength will forget what has made
US great ana Detray tns secret OF our
strength to our foes. The warning which
God gave his ancient people was this:
When thou hast eaten and art full. then
thou shalt bless the Lord thy God for tho
good land which he hath given thee. Be-
ware that thou forget not the Lord thy
God. in not keeping his commandments and
his judgments and his statutes 1t Ia the
solemn warning which we need to heed to-
day, il We would preserve our liberties and
our greatness.
LOYALTY TO GODS WORD
HAS ALWAYS BEEN H0N0RED.
The Reverend E. c. Jacka. pastor Grace