The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-10-08
The Churchman's Duty IN
Municipal Reform Work
DIR. L. T. Guild, Pastor of Wesley Church, Believes
Churches and Christians Have Sacred Obhiga-
ton to Perform Fearlessly.

ent conditions. It is possible to compel
every candidate for legislative election
to declare his principles in these vital
matters. The same can be done with
executive candidates.
Churchman Should Speak.
"There is no reason why the church
man, be he layman or clergyman,
should not come out square and fair
for men who are right. Why should
not the churchman say, I am for this
man for office because he is an honest,
without fear or favor No legislative
body, no matter how corrupt. or how |
firmly organized it may fancy itself,
will dare to make the laws less string
ent simply because the executive Off
Ger in power insists on the enforce
ment of law that may seem to them
too strong.
eat the present time the live ques-
tion in our own community is the Sun
day saloon. l do not believe that the
people of Minneapolis want the Sun
day saloon. I do not believe that they
: will submit longer to the dictation Of
the brewing companies in civic affairs.
Here the forces of the church have
found that it is possible by taking
conviction for violations of a law that
is not enforced. The next step will be
to secure the enforcement of the law.
What has been done might have been
: done during the last administration or
during any other had not there been
too much moral laziness.
Here is chance for the rising
young local politician who wishes to
make his mark: Were I a politician
DESTROYS of winning public favor I
i should take a firm stand for civic
cleanness before the public. When
: some competent man sincerely declares
q himself on this platform it will be the
. duty of the church people of Mime
II apolis to fight the battle for right with
Q regulation Of vice alone It means
i also that the rights of the people must
+ be regarded, and carefully watched by
I city councils and boards in charge Of
the various city departments. All
IS money must be honestly expended and
% to the best possible advantage. The
d schools must be the best with teachers
J people of influence or power. The
q streets must be kept as clean as the
g appropriation for that purpose will al
n beautiful as careful expenditure Of
L money will make them. Public service
70 corporations must be the servants not
the masters Of the people. The city
water supply, must be pure and ample:
- All these things are matters Of vital
70 tend to help people live better and
IT happier lives. They all represent in
IS. fuences for which the church stands
re The church has an obligation in help
b. ing the people of Minneapolis or any
Sc other city secure their rights, in help.
&c ing them to secure service from the
TO governments that shall promote health
IS and happiness.
a, Peculiar Difficulties.
a. IT recognize the peculiar difficulties
e in the way of civic reform in these
IL directions. We have had in America
a' system of municipal looseness an6
graft that has reigned unchecked. Il
IL has created an unwholesome 'atmos
=; IS phere that pervades every department
40 of our city governments. 1t seems tt
IN create a mental fog that settles ove1
"a "a the minds of men making them assen
~, ~ to false principles of government. L
= leads them to carry out policies tina
no no are not. justifable, on the plea tina
i io a Sunday school administration will
~ not do in large city
N ''This atmosphere has tainted every
tV thing. Strong men have been weak
~ ened and have fallen. They have al
he lowed themselves to overlook practice
al they knew were wrong. Who has beer
an the sufferer The public, the poor pee
pie of our cities, the ignorant and tn
Is, and regard for government and right
or 1.-THE church has been a sufferer. It
at efforts have been counteracted and it
.ct influence lessened. It has seen thos
1r- for whom it has worked and praye
VS. become the victims Of vice in ever
If form: The Sunday saloon-keeper hs
nng openly been an antagonist to tn
he spired to entice the youth Social ev
If faunts its wickedness and laughs at tt
Die good the church teaches. I'VE are a
~ lowed to do business in spite of laws
If they say. What good are laws? "
ms are allowed to do as we please, we stan
ne in and are protected Has not tt
Tor church to take an interest in all ma
a ters that will tend to regulate or abe
1ng ish such a condition Of affairs?
Tor surely has.
me "Ihe church if it is to stand rig]
raj in the eyes of men must fight it's battl
~ in practical, business-1 like way.
c1- must not compromise with evil. It ca
not without injuring itself. The churc
man should declare himself as citize
to churchman ready to work and vote f
cd, better things for his community. VIII
mr. appointment stand in our cities tod:
ur if he had no other backing than tn
nat Of several organized churches2 Non
&C. Yet the churchman has his vote wi
md his right as citizen. He should exc
ess else it. There is no reason why t
ess backing of the church for position
re- trust and responsibility should not
ac- as effective as the backing Of brewe
rch and saloonmen who represent on
les. themselves and their own :nefarious
on terests. ~,
ute "The church has an obligation to t
ira, community simply because it is t
and church of Christ It must not only he
the mer to live pure, clean. honest liv
but it should also take arms against a.
ist- and all things that tend to make m
i'm worse.''
re-
ih2yy REV. r. e. sCHMAUCK TO sPEA
~ Prominent Teacher and Author w
,ass Lecture in Minneapolis Oct. 81.