Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1903-04-10
ity, and lost sight OF the principle of "Thou
shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.'

ity, and lost sight OF the principle of "Thou
shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."
A farmer bought a farm. He paid two
thirds of the purchase money, and mortgaged
the farm for the balance. The money lords
precipitated panic. Manufactures shut down,
mines closed, building ceased, the country was
full of tramps, and farm produce sold for a
song. The mortgage took the farm and the
farmer became despairng tenant. Society
robbed the farmer of two.thrds of farm and
slew his energy. He fell among the worst
class of literal thieves, in that the thieves Gre
ated a financial system that afforded panic at
least every quarter of century.
Let this suffice. There are hundreds OF other
forms of robbery. The robbers always go in
bands, and are we'll armed Each band has its
territory. They lie in wait or concealment un-
til ready to spring upon their prey. The
travellers are unsuspcious. Honest, they be.
lieve other men to be honest. The travellers
do not band together, though nothing would be
easier. The traveller is unarmed or ignorant of
the use of arms.
The babe in the basement or the boy with
brains is utterly helpless. The man who loads
up with debt is ignorant of our financial sys-
tenn, and the strong man who falls under the
influence Of the saloon is not as wise as rats.
The great fact that we have to deal with is
that people fall-fall in childhood, in mature
years and in old age. Not only is there the
weakness of human nature and ignorance, but
| he mil how doll
ately banded together to rob and mutilate their
brothers. And all such are not Christians
no matter what their titles or possessions; no
matter how strict their observance OF forms or
how loud their professions. The priest and
the Levite were guilty of not loving their
neighbor.
The despised Samaritan loved his Irother.
The priest and the Levite did not. The trav.
eier was not an acquaintance o. any. Only
the Samaritan perceived the great truth of uni.
versal brotherhood. The Samaritan's love
found vent not alone in compassion, but in dress.
ing the wounds and providing for the travellers
care till recovery was accomplished. Not only
was there work, but the work reached out tc
recovery of strength OF which the traveller had
been deprived by the robbers.
1t is poor religion that does not contain the
philosophy of preventives. The application o
Christian principles would largely do ava,
with all the deep miseres of the human race
If all men were Christians, there would be nt
robbers. If all men were Christians in tina
they loved their neighbor as themselves, nj
babies would be born in Easements or brough
up in the haunts of criminals. If all mel
were Christians, there would be no strong drinl
or saloons to lure men to destruction through
their weakness.
The great truth that Jesus taught is that, t
be His disciple, it was necessary to love al
men, aud, in so loving, it followed that al
men should enjoy the same benefits bestowe
by common Father, who is God.
When the robber loved his neighbor, h
ceased to rob- When the sa.oon-keeper loved
he ceased to tempt and take gain from other
WHO were too weak to resist temptation.
Jesus said nothing about hunting down tn
thieves. He was not teaching the disciples tn
duties or prerogatives of government. Appl
the doctrine of Jesus, and there would be n
need for civil government. But the doctrine
not applied. After two thousand years OF tn
life of Christianity, the great question is as
what shall be done with the men who will nc
, love their neighbor. And the common-sens
answer Isl Hunt them down. Destroy th
places of ambuscade. Educate the ignorar
i to the point of saf.protection. Stand guar
t over the helpless. Let all good Samaritan
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