The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1903-01-29
Christian Citizenship.

aEO OaS lOIuUidLSO WudC AO 0oA'o ~
Greet OF Christian Patrlotism," which
reads as follows;
81 believe tha: human governments
are ordained OF God, are bound in all
their acts by His law, are essential to
human welfare and are, therefore, to be
Loyalty upheld.
81 believe that Christ's law, "Ren-
der unto Caesar the things that are
Caesars" binds me to the intelligent
and faithful performance of my full
duty as citizen.
II believe that that duty includes
the following:
"The payment OF all taxes justly as
sessed against me.
"The study of the questions to be
decided at the polls.
"The knowledge of the several polit-
ical districts in which reside, and
the records Of the various candidates
"To register and vote, and to exert a
positive influence at every general and
primary election, so far as 1 may, for
the triumph of righteous men and
measures.
"To take an active interest in public
affairs and in my country's history and
welfare.
"Thus believing everywhere and al
ways, the first affections of my heart
and the first labor OF my hands, next
to that due to Christi worldwide king
dom, shall be my country's."
1t is worth our while to consider for
a moment The civic duties of the follow
ers of the Nazarene. Too many have
considered religion as matter relat-
ing to the future life Or to ones self
independently of his relations to his
fellows too many have been SO absorb
ed in the contemplation of the rewards
and punishments beyond that they
have ignored the rewards and punish
ments which, as part of tho divine
law, are enjoyed or suffered here.
Christ In reviewing the ten COM
ras ndments condensed the six which
refer to mans duties to his fellows In
to one great commandment "Thcu
shalt love thy neighbor as thyself"-
a commandmen Mt which, if fully lived
up to, would solve every problem eco
| nomic, social, political and religious
Is it not wise to give more emphasis
than we have to the MAYNARD part OF
| Christ's teachings? James Gowdy
| Clark, whose songs have been such an
inspiration to reiormers, puts the ques-
zion into poetic language when he
asks:
How long, y, Lord, how long,
Shall creeds conceal thy human side
And Christ the God be crowned in
song,
| While Christ the man is crucified.'
How easy it would BE- to adjust quar-
rels within a church it each member
entered a controversy with Christ
commandment fresh in his memory
how little friction there would be be.
tween the different branches of the
| Christian church ii that command
ment was at all times uppermost in
the thoughts of all the members
Mr.. johnson includes among the
duties of Christian citizen "the pay.
ment of all taxes justly assessed" An
observance OF the commandment
"Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thy
SELF" would 60 even father, and lead
the citizen to return his property fol-
assessment according to some just rule
in order that he might be SO assessed
as to bear his fair share of the burden.
of the government. The conscientious
observance of this commandment
would even lead the citizen to exam
inc the systems of taxation and the
manner in which they distribute the
burdens of government, and this ex
animation could not be carried yer,
far without raising a question whict
many now ignore, namely, whether
taxes collected almost entirely from
consumption are just and equitable
and another question, closely related tt
1t, "Caa the mass OF the people, labor
Ing for small compensation. be equi
tabiy taxed for the support of manu-
LECTURERS who enjoy large income Al
lpublic expense?'
IT that commandment were thu
rule of conduct it would not only abol
ish petty larceny which sometime
accounts for the less of q chicken.
pig, coat or a pocketbook, but tina
Igrand larceny also which is perpetrat
ed through legislation which robs tn,
many for the benefit OF the few.
| A proper observance Of that com
mandment would create public opin
ion that would driye out OF respec
table society the high-toned pilferer,
who framulo nnOn oil lawo humo,