The Washington times., 1902-12-22
INVOKING THE LAW"
AS APPLIED LOCALLY
The Rev John Van Schack Jr breaches on District Con-
dtions and Methods of Improving Them.

The Rev. John Van schaick. ir., In his
series OF sermons on darkest Washing
ton. chose for his theme last night. In
voking the Law" His text was Psalm,
cxix;7O. Il delight in Thy Law" Like
all the sermons OF this series, he gave
TO his audience the fruits OF thorough
study Of District conditions, which pre-
eminently fts him to talk on those af-
fairs which are of interest to every
citizen Of Washington. Last night ne
told Of past and future needs; what
the District has asked and is asking OF
Congress. He said IN part:
Law is both human and divine. Gods
great laws are wrapped around the uni
verse. More and more as we come 20
unfold them do they Gil US with wonder
and delight.
Man also has been making laws to
govern the world. His human laws are
also divine as they partake OF the d.
vine reason. justice. and truth.
Two weeks ago sat aud looked
into the faces OF 800 cheering men and
women. They were listening to the
story OF Ireland's wrongs as told by
Davitt and Blake. They we're cheering
Ideals Of justice and equity in govern
mental affairs
Il wondered how many realized the
nature of the laws under which they
live and the contrast between outside
control and self government. The most
wonderful thing about that meeting was
the fact that it was possible to hold It.
Letters From Socialists.
Il have been receiving a large num-
Der of socialist letters and documents
since I declared publicly that the cure
for poverty and injustice was not In
changing she social system. Some have
asserted that I preach mere platitudes
pleasant to hear. The fact Is I preach
Christianity, and my remedy calls for
too much sacrifice on the part OF these
would-be reformsrs.
THE hardest thing in this world is
not indulglng in denunciation-is not
writing anonymous letters-the hardest
thing in this world is to give ourselves
to those who neeG as.
I'VE are a self-governing people. We
can make and unmake laws. We choose
those who enforce the laws. We can
have what we want. I do not say there
is no injustice. political or Industrial.
Il do not assert that there are no in
equalities to correct. But do claim
that liberty is not lying dead under the
iron-shod feet of greed. The whole so
cialist program starts at the wrong
end It begins and ends with law. My
program begins and ends with man.
Man is back Of and higher than law. Let
US elevate men and we will elevate law
Let us 20 to the immigrant and throw
good influences about him. Let US de-
strow the slums and rescue the future
voters from its power. Let US stop this
ranting. this denunciation. this flre-eat-
ing, and apply some common sense 70
social conditions. Because evil has
grown UP with good in this land. let US
not upset the social system and sacri-
way to cut It out is not by talking
about brotherhood. 1t is going to the
unfortunate man. like the Master went.
aud showing him we are his brother and
his friend. The toileT, the laboring mgI.
needs not aims but a friend He needs
above all things some one sensible
enough to look at the world through his
eyes and fearless enough to tell him the
truth.
'In the first place. then, let us thank
God for all the wise laws we have. Let
us constantly influence public sentiment
so that wiser ones will De passed and
unwise once repealed.
District Government.
I'm this District OF Columbia we have
a government Of the people by Congress
through Commissioners. This is not as