The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1906-11-14


H. Henry on the theme The Voice
OF God and the Verdict of the Bal
lot" the text being found in Ro-
mans lis. Rev. Henry said
Christ came that men might have
life and that they might have it more
abundantly
Nothing pertaining 10 life, its
problems or its environment is out
side the realm of His interest.
The work of the church is to per-
petuate the work of Christ Wher-
ever influences are at work to cheap
en-, dwarf and to destroy life on the
one hand or to enhance the value of
life, expand its sphere or preserve
its integrity on the other hand
there the church has a mission.
This explains its interest in educa-
ton, the problems of home and
school, in temperance legislation,
the curfew law, child labor, the
problem of the slums. the question
of slavery and its work of mercy and
help in hospitals. asylums and pris-
ons. This explains, also, its need
to manifest an interest in politics.
What is politics? Is it a mere
scramble for the spoils of office? If
$50, the church may well stay out
(but when this is the definition poll
itics is woefully degenerated. True
politics has to do with the admins
tration of the common life, the adj
justment of relations in society, the
conduct of community business, the
preservation and guardianship OF
mutual rights. the suppression of
evil and the announcement of good
The ideal of true politics is the ideal
of the church Because this is true
the church has no right to keep 81
lence. 1t cannot keep silence with
out treason to God and herself.
There are those who dispute the
right of the church to speak on po-
litical matters Who are these?
The man with the Ak to grind and
who does not like to be disturbed in
the operation; the self-eonstituted
boss engaged in the inspiring task
of teaching the American people how
to play the game Simon says
thumbs up" the man who has had
his elbows in the political crib 50
long that he thinks he owns it.
One Of the wholesome signs OF the
times is that poi zeal parties are
shaking off the rule Of the boss
This has been the issue during the
past few months in almost every
state in the union, and in more than
one of these great states the poll zeal
boss has been well nigh deprived Of
his occupation and of every visible
means of support Another whole
some sign Of the times is that the
people themselves are emaneipating
themselves from party slavery For
a great many years men have been
confoundng patriotism with party
LOYALTY. Party was first. last and
all the time. Il commanded their
most blind and unquestionng obedi-
ence. Right or wrong. wise or fool
ish. they were sure to obey the be-
hpsts OF the party to which they
thought they owed allegiance.
In our form of government it is
important that voters should think,
and think for themselves. That
they should read and form their own
conclusions That they should study
public questions for themselves and
be ready 10 take intelligent, indie
pendent action
1t is not only the right. but the
duty OF the church of Christ to help
formulate public opinion. Puo--c
opinion is the foundation OF every
institution The school could not ex-
isl long did not public opinion sup
port IT, During my five years resi-
dence in Salt Lake City l saw
abundant Illustration Of this fact
Each year there was a battle at the
polls. a battle which was waged
around the question Of the public
schools.
The caurch could not exist
Tong and exert its proper influence
did not public opinion support IL,
and il is equally true that the f0un-
siation underlying the saloon and
kindred evils in America is this
same public opinion.
Strange, ism it2-This thing W.
cali public opinion. The American
public would not tolerate hand
laid in menace upon our public
schools Why? We are concerned
for the manhood ana wamanhood o
the future We are concerned 70
the citizenship Of the future and VI
know the part that must be takel
by the public schools in equip
ping this nation for the task
that confront it And yet, le
the voice of the church b
raised against the saloons an
those institutions which combat n
work of public schools, those institu
rions which destroy manhood an
womanhood and do more than any
thing else to corrupt the citizens O
the future. and a great cry is raise
in the market place. cry intende
to shout down the voice Of tn
church. like that cry of the mob i
the ancient city of Ephesus whe
the interests of certain craftsme
were in danger, Great is Diana c
the Ephesians,
The modern Diana is the instltr
ZION OF the saloon and. strange to say
in this enlightened aga, it has a
great a mob of blindly fanatic d.
tenders
There is reason for the voice {
the church to be heard today In pc
1itieal matters. Our municipal al
fairs are a disgrace and a shame