Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1902-07-02


order that we may win some for Chriat.
The fact that evil may triumph. the
fact that corruption exists in high
places. the fact that upright eousness
and dishonesty preside over the ballot
box, and often prevail in the counsels
OF political bodies, and in city, state
and nation, does not in the least
absolve me from my sponsibility as
a citizen Of the nation. What / cannot
help | am not responsible for. But l
am responsible, most solemnly. as to
how my influence lie cast. whether by
means of voice, or pen or ballot, or any
other mediating agent which joins me
with the people and nation and events
around me. There is no obligat ton 10
God which ever conflicts with real duty
in the home. community or nation. If
you are robbing Caesar of his tribute,
you are going contrary to the Divine
will and losing a blessed opportunity
of getting close to the world and win
ming some for Jesus Christ The true
patriot does not rob Caesar Of his trib-
ute.
Robbng Goodwin a man rob
God?' asks the heartbroken prophet
us he views the wretchedness and dis
tress and poverty Of the Jewish people,
which has come as direct fruitage of
their selfishness and disobedienee.
Yea, verify, he will and he does 1t is
too long story to tell here. Man be-
gan to do it away back in the garden
of Eden when he stole the fruit Of the
forbidden tree, and he has been doing
il ever since. If we render not unto
God the things which are Gods, are
we not robbing Him? All. what sad.
sad story it is, From the cradle to the
grave man continues to rob God. In
every relation of life. in every direc-
ton we see the tribute which belongs
to God being withheld Again space
forbids US attempting to enumerate
the ways in which man may rob God.
We shall speak of but one. So-called
patriotism and devotion to country
may and does rob God Of great deal
of the tribute that is due Him The
man who puts country before he does
the God who marked out the boun-
daries Of the continents. and estab-
lished the nations. and set rulers over
them, is robbing God and paying un-
lawful tribute unto Caesar. The man
who says: "My country, right or
wrong" and who means that he is GO
ing TO sustain that country in its
wrongdoing because OF false con
ceptiOn of what true patriotism IL, may
stir up vast deal of enthusiasm al the
political gathering or patriotic mass
meeting and gain the reputation for
intense patriotism. but he is not moved
by the spirit which actuated the God
fearing patriots who. led by the Di-
vine purpose, established this nation
and ceased to pay unlawful tribute TO
a Cesar across the sea. Blind. I'M
reasoning loyalty to nation. dictated
by intense partisanship, keeps po-
litical fires burning and sweeps the
country from end to end with strife
and fever of unrest. 1t pays, seem
ingly. a magnificent tribute to Caesar.
but in the paying thereof God is
robbed and the nation must pay the
penalty some day. The true patriot
does not rob God to pay Caesar tribute.
He sees that what Caesar may count as
gain now will be strangely trans ferred
later to the debit side of the account
and that the seeds Sown in dishonest
disregard Of the rights of God have
brought forth the certain fruit Of ma
tiOnal decay.
The true patriot. therefore. builds
for the future and is not willing to
sacrifice principle or honesty for seem
ing present gain or advantage. If vic
l..
of the questionable transaction and
sharp double-dealing he prefers de-
feat TO the glamour Of unlawful tri-
butte. Moses. the true patriot. with
the eye OF faith fixed on the star If
promise shining away in the future.
"chOSe rather to suffer affection with
the people Of God than to enjoy the
pleasures Of sin for season. For
he had respect unto the recompense Of
the reward" The true patriot endures
during the present in order that the
future may feel the impress Of his life
and deeds. True patriotism is not
measured by the volume OF the shout.
or 10y the brilliancy Of the torch-light
procession. The true patriot does
shout sometimes. he may carry the
lighted torch, he may wear the button
Of his candidate. but that is not all. for
these are but the outward expires sion
Of inward principle and purpose which
aim 10 pay Caesar the tribute due
him and TO God the things which be-
long 10 God.
On one Of my rambles the other day
my eye caught the fight 81 q fcathery
songetcr as ne Skinned through the
fresh air and bright sunshine. With
u graceful curve he dipped towards the
Aower-Gcckcd field and then shot
mp again until -u the topmo,t
brauchc- Of the -vayiug tree hc set
tied down and poured ont hi- soul iu
tuncful song. over and over again he
trillcd the half-dolcu mclodious notes
~ his song. and each time of repetition
the song sounded as sweet and fresh