The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1903-03-10
GrafterS are Political Parasites, Rev. BreWbaker
Declares. Who Thrive on Civic
Corruption.
Minister Points Out Complete Social Reform as the
Only Remedy for "Patho-
a as logical Evils

- uOOsO~
To large assemblage in the audi
torium of the Y. M. G. A., Rev. G. w.
Brewbaker spoke Sunday afternoon on
"Ciyic Righteousness" His address
appears below:
We are living in new age. Men
today are concerned not only about
the individual, but about society as a
whole. We have new Interpretation
Of Christianity. We are getting back
to the. Christ idea, considering man in
his entirety, his physical, social, moral
and religious nature.
Individual righteousness depends up
on the surrender of the whole man to
God, the body, intellect, sensibilities
and will. There must be putting off
of the old man and putting on OF the
new.
A city is a part of what We common
ly term society. It is large social
group composed of number Of social
groups of the most complex character.
There is no problem that SO boldly
confronts us today and upon which the
highest interests of our nation so much
depend as that of our cities.
A nations cities largely determine a
nations destiny. When we consider
that American cities now contain
nearly one-third OF the population OF
the whole country, It is time for lis to
be awake.
CIVIC SIN EXISTS.
Civic righteousness means city
Righteousness. Some people think they
are fairly good in their homes and re-
ligious on Sunday In the church, then
they are all right, they are righteous.
Religion reaches farther than the
home and church. 1t goes out into all
phases ana conditions of our civic life.
A city's righteousness depends largely
upon the individuals of that city.
When we speak OF Righteousness, We
cannot help but think of its opposite
sin. II there was no sin we would
not be concerned about salvation, fer
we would have 1t.
When we speak of civic righteous
ness, evidently there must be civic sin,
there must be that which needs REM
edying and the atonement provided
through the life, character death and
rufferlng of Jesus Christ is for our
cities as we'll as for the individual.
God is concerned about the salvation
Of our cities. We must be awake and
face conditions as they are and help
usher in that condition Of society, the
kingdom of Jesus Christ which Is pic
tllred in the book of revelation as the
ideal, perfect city.
THE REMEDY.
do not want you to think that am
q pessimist believe that there is
much good to be found within our
great centers and in our own little
municipality, and I believe the con-
science of society is awakening from
its dormant condition. There are path
Ological conditions in every city that
need remedying and we are mot free
from them in our own city. l will first
mention them and then give the REM
edy
1.-The democracy of the saloon.
2.-Social impurity. gambling, vile
pictures and literature as seen on many
of our bill boards, advertising shows,
etc.
3.-Foreign settlements composed OF
many of the lowest class of people who
have been sent here to find a home,
who bring with them low ideas and
notions and try to carry them out in
thoir mode Of lie IN our midst = q
4..-Open and defiant. violation of our
laws and sacred institutions, especial
ly the American Sabbath.
believe not only In pointing out
remedy for existing evils, but in SO
rcgenerating and purifying society that
It will be difficult to do wrong. We
must get hack to the cause of disease
and remove It II we expect to get rid
OF the disease. Arresting an occasional
drunk or sending man, to the "pen".
for burglary will not stop the awful
tide Of crime that we see today and
yet that is the highest conception some
have of civic righteousness. There
must be regeneration. Society must
be born again, men must have the
Christ idea in regard to their human
and civic relations, hence there must
be an aim to make q city as pure in
all of Its relations to society as possi-
BILE. II should be clean.
POLITICALLY.
Talk az you may. too many Of our
politicians do not have the highest in
forests Of the city at heart. With many
partisanship stands above principle.
With many the spoils count, who can
be counted as political parasites. In
order to have the highest and best form
of city government, ofices must be
filled by men OF character who live
above the clouds In private life and
puliic thinkingr - Politics have be-,
c0me 70 c0rrupt especially In ons cft-;