The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-03-07
SABBATH VIOLATIONS.
Dr. shoan Spoke of Them in Tester
 day's Sermon.

days sermon.
 Dr. J. w. Shoaff, pastor of Dexter Ave- nue Methodist Church, took for his text Hosea vii:S: "Gray hairs are here and there upon him and he knoweth 1t not. Such was the condition of Ephraim in the days of Hosea, and during the tur- bulent time that followed the reign of the Second Jerobrave wiclzedness, held high carnival from the palace to the hovel. "When vile men are exalted the wicked walk on either, hand" While princes made the king sick with bottles of wine, he stretched out his hand with scorners. A wicked king is the certain prophecy of a wicked government. Un- righteous rulers become the vendors of common corruption. Upon the other hand kings and princes are not likely to rise higher than the moral sentiment around them. So it was with Ephraim, and yet he was utterly unconscious of the terri ble national deterioration that was going on around him. Strangers devoured his strength, gray hairs are here and there upon him and he knoweth 1t not" Politi- cal corruption swept like a tidal wave through the nation, but the people were unconscious of their peril and absolutely indifferent to the God who beheld their wickedness. You may trace the down. fall of nations to the principle, enunciat- ed by Paul who when speaking of the heathen nations, declared that when they knew God. they became vain in their imaeinations and their foolish mind was darkened. Unconscious of their de- gradation, nations reel to their ruin. Sud- den revolutions in States and kingdoms have been preceded by the unconscious moral deterioration of their rulers and people. If America is to fill her true place in the sisterhood of nations, she must have respect to "the righteousness which exalteth a nation" If she would fulfill all righteousness in the, matter of government, she must have a vigorous moral sentiment among her people, and only men of high moral and religious character should be elevated to public office. I do not believe in putting politics into religion, but I most emphatically assert that you Christian people ought to put your religion into your politics. This principle of unconscious deteriora- ton from all can learn has had a sad illustration in your own Capital City. Do not misunderstood me, your city has a proud history and she can claim many consecrated Christian men and women. But evils exist around you of which the Christian people of the community at large seem to be sadly unconscious. The violation of the Sabbath and other un-
 
 ter shamelessness befofe you. You Chris- tian people are far more responsible for this state of affairs than you realize. No municipal government Is any stronger than the moral sentiment of the people behind it. Remember, If you sit idly by while the forces of evil are at work around you your sons and your daugh- ters will reap the fearful outcome. The pastors of this city can never do what might be done for Christianity until the Christian people rise up in their might, and stand bodily for those things which make for righteousness"
 This principle of unconscious degenera- ton often finds a sad illustration in the lives of individuals as to their religious life and experience. beseech you heed the warning of the hour. There Is a God above you to whom you must give an &C., count.