The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1904-01-13
Sermon before the Jr Order o. United
American Mechanics in the RingOes
Baptist Church, Dec. 20, 1908.

am not member of your order.
know but little Of its principles and
its objects. If / misstate or mis-
represent you this morning do 1t
through ignorance. This ignorance is
perhaps partially excusable because of
my short time and opportunity for
gaining an acquaintance with secret
society. But taking your principles as
set forth by your officer here this morn
ing ~ my text we will look with some
anxiety if we can get some SORT of a
sermon from them,
You have noticed as have, that
the Proclamation appoints this day
of Thanksgiving and prayer. Thanks
to God for his blessings. Prayer to
God for continued guidance, for father
~ care of orphans, for relief to the
sick and distressed of your members
This is well, that you thus a. an order
officially recognize God as your
Supreme Leader and Helper You no.
ice, as do, that you are asked to at
tend Divine worship; and that spec
ial sermon be preached. This again Is
commendable that you as IA council
recognize the value and sympathy of
the church by uliIedly attending their
services. Considering these things it
is also right that yod ask that our ser
vices have rs their subj set your objects
and principles.
But in speaking of them | am re-
minded, IA you recognize, that we are
meeting III a church not Il lodge room.
that am speak ing from christian
pulpit, not IL secular platform, al the
h0ur of the church 5 regular service ON
Sabbath morning and not at the hour
of your councils meeting on Friday
evening. Understanding this yen will
expect me, as | am compelled to speak
of those objects and principals from a
different standpoint than as if | We're
addressing you from your Own plat
form, in your own hall and on your
own night of meeting In searching
for what that standpoint shall be
find YOU asked me for II sermon. Web
ster says "a sermon is II discourse de
livered in public for religious instrne-
ton. = So in this | find the avenue of
ffaach which you have assigned 10
me fal This subject
Whether accomplish it - not. /
me clearly state III, ni.It,l I NY ser
mon here at the outset. Ny object is
to show that fundamentally the onjecls
and principles of the Jr o. ~ NJ resi-
back on the doctrines of the Churrh.
That the church, first through Gods
teaching and revelation by the plo-
phets of old and later by his teaching
and revelation in the character of Ills
Son, Jesus Christ, stands for the prin-
ciples you here set forth. That in CON
sequence of this you may well affirm
your allegiance 10 these principles and
that We as II church may welcome you
to join in work to which we are
pledged. This, however is not saying
that the objects of the church are COW
cred by these principles. 1t is only
saying that the principles of the Jr.
Order are some of the doctrines of the
church. You do not claim to make
your order have Il Telig ious faith 1t
Is, lay your declaration, political and
not religious. 1t does not in any way
claim to supplant the church, or TO do
the chief work of the church attempt
lngto prepare man for life after
death, rs | have known some ardent
supporters of similar order to claim.
And possibly | should say that by the
name church do not mean Il demon.
nation but that larger term including
from all denominations all of Gods re-
deemed people.
Now if we have fair footing. and a
plain understanding of each other, our
terms and objects, let us turn to the
principles Of the Jr, Q. t. \ NJ.
We affirm warm and hearty wei.
come to all emigrants who derire to
better THEN condition and become a
part and parcel OF our nationality, but
We have not one square inch of room
for the anarchist, the socialist and nj
hilist. nor for anyone who is not will.
ing To bow allegiance to that flag which
is powerful enough to shield aud pro
tect them, as we'll as us, in the eN-
ercise of civil and religious liberty.
Or, i'll other words, as take il YOU
welcome all who come from other
lands To seek n home among us and
support Our American institutions.
Israel Was a religious national mstitu-
ton. A rheocraey with God rs its
king and while He for time had a
man a. his visegerent before His people
yet He was king. This in no way was
II union of the church and state or
state religion as England has today.
And these principles which you own
We're the principles on which man
was admitted to this commonwealth.
He was national enemy until he
eonformed to the institutions of the
comm pnwealth.