The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-02-16
THE VOICE OF The PULPIT
ISAIAH'S PATRIOTISM: A WASHING
TONS BIRTHDAY DISCOURSE.
BY the Rev. Robert II. Carson, ID. d.,
Pastor of Grace Presbyterian
Church., Brooklyn, n. ".

1.-THE vision which Isaiah. the son of
Amoz, saw concerning Judah and Jerusa-
lem. Isaiah j, 1.
We are about TO celebrate the birthday of
the father TO our great Republic. We. as a
Nation, to-day are reaping the harvest that
the dead have sown, and as we observe
these anniversaries which have 10 do with
our country's early history, we SHOULD not
forget the sacrifices which the fathers
made. and the hardships which they en-
dured in order that we might enjoy the in
estimable blessings of liberty and of free
dom.
Each generation is confronted with its
own dangers and its own dificulties-it is
expected not only to conserve whatever of
worth and value it has received from the
preceding ages, but to land the possession
down increased by its own contribution to
those VINO are to come after.
That we may be enabled to do so, we will
endeavor to garner some lessons from
Isaiah's vision. Our age is thought to be
intensely practical. Ideas, agencies, propo-
sitions are judged by their immediate
practical results. The results of the man
of action are clear, and clearly seen. Judg-
ment can be passed upon such a man al
most Immediately, nor is any error likely
to be made. But it is far different with
the thinker and the dreamer. He may be
altogether neglected or contemptuously
criticised in his lifetime, for it may be
many years after his death before his
thought becomes translated into deeds, and
his ideas take shape as the governing force
of multitudes.
Let us remember, then, how much the
world owes to its thinkers and so-called
Missionaries. 1t was the vision that came TO
Abraham which. in the end. resulted in the
establishment of Israel and the bringing Of
a blessing to all mankind. 1t was the vision
which Isaiah had that won his people back
from the evil way and restored them for a
season to the divine favor and to the bless
ings Of national prosperity.
ORIGIN OF THE BEST.
1t is the men who, like Abraham, and
Isaiah, and Paul. and Milton. and Wash
ington, and Lincoln, fling their thoughts
into the future-to whom we owe the best
and noblest and purest blessings that we
enjoy. If we would play well our part, we.
too, must catch the spirit of these men.
and have our visions of what il is possible
for US and for our country TO be and to be-
come. Most of us accept a poor idea OF
what we can do and be. We live too much
by conventional standards. and do not real
lie how rich and helpful life can be made
by the hopes and visions which God gives
to every honest heart.
The vision of Isaiah was a wide-embfac-
ing one. 1t did not concern himself and his
work alone. 1t took into it's embrace his
country and his city. I think we have mar
rowed the scope of the religious life too
much. We have made it merely a personal
matter. Eut Christianity is concerned not
only with the immediate results Of the i'm
dividual soul-it is engaged also with the
great hope of a divine blessing. for all man.
kind. The vision which Isaiah had was con-
corning his country and his city. How 10
help them; how TO win them TO higher and
nobler Inings; how to make them the abid-
ing place of honest, upright men and wom-
en-this. this was part OF his religion.
We are told time and again that the
church should not interfere in politics.
tisan. but in those great matters which are
above every party, in those matters relat-
ing 10 a country's or a city's good govern
ment. it is the bounden duty of the Chris
tan pulpit 10 do all it can. The church
must not be Indifferent TO anything that
concerns the moral uplifting OF the social
we'll being OF the peoples among whom she
is placed. 1t is at her peril that she remains