The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-12-29
If Jesus We're President

Cincinnati, Dec. 25.-Herbert 8. Bige-
low, pastor Of the Vine Street Congre-
gational church. discussed. in his
Christmas sermon. the changes that
would take place If human society were
really to be governed by the ethical
teachings of Jesus.
Suppose, said Mr.. Bigelow. we had
f0T president a modern counterpart OF
Jesus. Suppose that in a moment of
frenzy, such as may have occurred on
Palm Sunday. the people were to de-
clare for a man of such a character?
How long would it be before congress
would be clamoring for his impeach-
ment and the men who helped elect
him warming their hands at the fires
Of plutocracy. declaring that they new
er voted for him?
With society as 1t Is, it may be pos
sible that Mr.. Roosevelt is better
president than Jesus would be. But
suppose society were SO transformed
that Christian policies would be prac-
ticable. Suppose men were ready to
uphold the hands of Christian presi-
dent?
In message sent by a Christian
president, to Christian congress
elected by truly Christian people,
fancy there would be paragraph on
the subject Of war. It would be very
J short and to the point. 1t would read
something as follows:
Let us make this the greatest day
in history since the birth OF the Christ.
Today, let us put up our swords and
love our enemies. Now at last let there
be peace on earth and good will to
men,"
Put along side of that sentence taken
from the last message Of President
Roosevelt:
81 But most Of all we need to continue
building our feet of battleships so pow:
erfully armed that they can inflict the
maximum of damage upon our oppo-
nents, and so we'll protected that they
can suffer a severe hammering in re-
turn without fatal impairment of their
ability to fight and maneuver."
President Roosevelt has rightly said
that the all-important question today
Is the Industrial question, "Give us
this day our daily bread" is the prayer
OF the million that is still unanswered.
When we are ready for Christian set
Element OF the industrial problem, the
presidents message will read as fol-
lows:
widespread misery is proof that
society is organized on foundation of
Injustice. The basic injustice is this:
each generation that comes upon the
earth finds that few Of their number
have the right. by virtue of title deeds
beQueathed by dead men. to deny the
rest the use Of he earth. Since the
children Of each generation must live
son the earth or perish, it follows inevi-
Nsably that the decreasing number in
each generation who own the earth
have an increasing power legally to
rob the rest of the fruits of their labor.
Thus brotherhood is denied by the
law of the land and poverty is thought
lessly regarded as necessary evil.
Therefor let us modify our laws of land
tenure in such way as to secure to
each man. during his sojourn on the
earth, his equal right with all the rest,
TO use those raw materials which ma
lure provides"
Thus we shall build our society on
he foundation Of the golden rule and
Avery other problem will be easier of
solution. Then. when there is no le-
sal privilege to make idleness respect
able, men will be rewarded according
20 their labor and the servant will be
iffkt-in the honor Of mankind.
II for the asking could have the
1hristmas present most. covet, /
Sould ask for the power to make the
Ryorld two gifts.
would give to the world a new
cart in which the desire for mastery
hould be utterly vanquished and
Brotherhood should reign supreme.
hen would give to the world the
eonomic understanding to make eff
sctive this spirit of brotherhood in
TVS that would destroy all forms Of
fivilege and establish Industrial
sluity and peace.
Boston Populism