The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-05-09

in this city and county where a man
unfit for Office has been elected on
party basis rather than on the basis Of
principle. I believe we have learned
preaching the time when, more than
ever before, we are ready to say, Let
US get together for the good of the city
rather than hold together for the good
of the party.
If this spirit really prevails and is
growing. how shall We crystalize IT
into practical political shape? There
is always the regular process of edu-
cation After all, our highest civiliza-
ton comes through processes of more
or less painful experience. We pass
from one grade to another stumbling
over ourselves sometimes, bhndly
cropping after ideals. selhshly hurting
one another in obedience to what we
think is loyalty to this or that faction;
but in the end, If we have the minds
of civilized men, we gradually grOpe out
into some place where the light shines,
and begin TO see that the common good
is the end to be reached, that to build
up party at the expense Of the public
safety or welfare is a selfish, and in the
end a self-destructive process.
TEACH DUTY TO STATE.
The Christian people of this city,
county or state could we'll employ the
educating process in many departments
Of church life For example, 1 believe
the time viii come when we shall In
clude IN our Sunday school instruction
definite lessons on the duty Of men and
women to the state. Our young peoples
societies already have committees on
good citizenship. When the Christian
Endeavor society was organized
tWenty-one years ago the thing that
was emphasized most was the prayer
meeting Loyalty to that meeting and
observance of the pledge was the center
of thought and discussion; but today.
While the prayer meeting is no less
earnestly supported and emphasized
world are suggested and urged by the
sOciety-tempera good citizenship,
work in the tenement districts, prac-
teal duties toward those in prison. and
on the sea, and in foreign missionary
fields, are now part of the young peo-
pies activities: and this is as it should
be. If our church prayer meetings and
our Sunday schools are going to be OF
any value to the world they must have
at the heart of them a practical Chris
tianity which does the things which
Christ commanded. Certainly if there
is anything along the line of the teach
ing of Jesus it is in having our citizen
ship what it ought to be; and I would
urge, as one of the practical ways Of
getting Christian people together po-
litically, the introduction into our
church services, into our Sunday school
lessons, into our young peoples so
cieties, of practical discussions concern
ing the duties of citizens. the sacredneSs
of law the basic principles of civiliza-
life.
The process of educating the people in
our churches devolves very largely upon
the ministers. I do not believe there
are a dozen churches in the state of
Kansas that would refuse, under any
kind of wise leadership on the part of
its ministry. to include in it's church
course of instruction, either in Sunday
school, preaching, young peoples serv-
ice, prayer meeting, q course in applied
Christian activity, teaching the duty OF
men and women towards the state.
We already have in our Sunday
school lessons a course on temperance.
I do not know why it would not be just
as fitting to include a course in the
Christians attitude towards public life
May I say simply as a matter of in
formation, because it is included in this
which I have introduced recently into
my young peoples society on the sub
ject of good citizenship. has been
called for by very many other church
organizations, and is being used pub
licly in the services of the church. I do
not know why I should preach about
heaven and the future so much and
about earth and the present SO little. I
am sure my life is being lived here on
the earth at present; and in studying
the life and teachings of Jesus I am
constantly impressed with the fact that
great deal about earth. Heaven will
take care of itself if we do what we
ought to do here.
Dying is not very important compared
with living, and the future is never
known to us except as the present
the next So after all, our main con
Germ here in this world is to answer
that clause in the Lords prayer which