Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-16
SUNDAY MORNING TALK.
The Attitude of Public Men Toward
Religion.

The public estimate of religion at any
given period in the worlds history is ore
measure of it's real worth and a great fac
| tor In its onward march. To be sure there
have been times of apostasy when men
generally have fallen away from, denied
and scoffed at faith, crueifed and burned
the purest and noblest among their fell
lows. But these seasons have been usually
of short duration and are always followed
by a renaissance of faith, hope and love. 1t
is especially true that the estimate which
the natural leaders of the human race It's
statesmen. generals, philosophers. poets,
put upon religion goes far toward substan-
tiating it as a reality and confirming it in
the minds and hearts of the populace.
Not that religion is at all dependent for
its continued existence and spread upon
what Senator A, or Governor B., or EN-
peror c. thinks about it. Religion sheds
more luster upon their lievs than they can
ever possibly confer upon it; and it is far
more essential to their well being than they
are to it. But the fact that throughout the
centuries the prevailing opinion of the pro-
foundest minds and of the ablest men in
practical affairs has been favorable to reli-
gion counts powerfully when we stop to
sum up the reason why the ordinary per-
son should believe in religion and govern
his life by its ideals.
Recently three of the most prominent
iiiel III liilS Country nave on puDl4C pat
forms expressed themselves unqualifedly as
believers in religion. The President of the
United States, the only living eX-President,
and the man who has twice been the candi-
date of his party for the presidency, are
the three men who made these remarkable
deliverances. The first was from the lips
of President Roosevelt, who said:
''Ail of us Will make this twentieth CEN
fury better, and not worse, than any CEN
fury that has gone before in proportion as
we approach the problems that face US
with firm resolution to neglect no one
side of the development of the man, but to
strive to make him decent, God-fearing.
law-abiding. honor-loving, justice-doing,
and also fearless and strong able to hold
his own in the hurly-burly of the world s
work, able also to strive nightly that the
forces of right may be in the end triumph
ant
The second testimony is from ex-Presi-
dent Cleveland, who said in Philadelphia
only few weeks ago:
The word Christian has broad signifi-
canoe and various shades of meaning. but
in all its meanings it signifies not weak
ness and not the nerveless complacency of
an amiable belief, but a rugged faith in
600 ana HIS purposes toward men, strength
of heart head and hand, cheerfulness cour-
age dutiful work and the perseverance
that points the way to success
And for a third witness we may sum-
mon William j, Bryan, who within short
time has made this declaration:
I'VE talk about the mysteries and the
miracles of the Bible, but there is still a
mystery equal TO any recorded in Holy
Writ 1t is the change in the heart of a
man that makes him hate the things that
he loved and love the things he hated 1t
is the Transforming of one who would have
sacrificed world for his own advancement
into one who would give his life for prin-
ciple and esteem ii a privilege to make a
sacrifice for his convictions"
Note that all these testimonies are not
from ministers who might be prejudiced
or from sentimental ideaists but from
hard-headed men of affairs. And what
are they good for?
In the first place they show that religion
today is not exclusively concern of wo-
men and children or of invalids and in
capables. 1t appeals to virile intellects and
to ambitious Spirits in all walks of life
ANY person in the midst of hostile
environment, any boy in a remote hamlet
who Is striving his best to do right and
Tear God, Is leagued by sort of free ma
sohry with stalwart souls over the world
lie may be the only boy in the village who
is walking by faith. But he is not in any
true sense alone. He belongs to a vast and
growing company of worthy men and wo-
men who are keeping the faith
Ihese quoted utterances show also that
the relgion which appeals to the modern
man must be broad and tolerant 1t must
be built on few great fundamentals 1t
does not split hairs as religion in former
days did, over triiing and inconseouential
matters True religion is roomy enough for
every man who loves God, who loves his
fellowmen and who follows the light as it
is given him
II religion commands the respect of men
Whom we esteem as thinkers and leaders,
IL may be worth our while to scrutinze
our own personal attitude toward religion
Why should we drift along never having
courage and energy enough to make up our
mind WY should we not show our colors
Wheil the right time comes, mo<lestly, yet
hrihiy ana gladly! THE PARSON.