The Mena weekly star., 1907-05-09
W. (. T. U. COLUMN
tMrs. Myrtle Moore, Press suptl
Political Faith.

 religion underlie every reform, ana faith is one of them.
 The men who have led great world movements for the advancement or mankind have been men ot great faith, men that had faith in the jus tice of God, faith in the ultimate triumph of right, and faith Tn thelr cause. There IS no question that the strength of their faith had everything to do with their success md victory.
 The world has always said: It makes no difference what a man be- lieves, it is what he does that counts" But history teaches that a mans belief controls his acts, and that a man who believes his cause will succeed will carry it nearer to success than the man who doubts. Skepticism undermines the faith of many and strengthens the character of none.
 The men who have accomplished things on this earth have been men who believed in something. When we read that Abraham believed God we do not wonder that he dared to go go out alone into a strange country to found a nation and establish a faith.
 Martin Luther believed that God meant it when He said 'The just shall live by faith" and his sturdy adherence to the new doctine moved many others to deeds of sacrifice that eventually reformed and revo- lutionized the religious thought of the world.
 William Lloyd Garrison believed that righteous God could not tol- crate slavery, and started cut alone against that great evil, saying: "l will be as harsh as truth on this question. I do not wish to think or write or speak with moderation. will not equivocate. will not re- treat single inch, and l will be heard" He was heard, and lived to see slavery dethroned.
 We live in a day of political skepti- cism that rules God out of politics. A skepticism indulged in by some of those who profess to believe in Him
 A Methodist minister once told me that the Prohibition party took too high moral ground for him to support it or for it to succeed. Such unbelief must be met and con- quered by strong faith in the om- impotence of righteousness. This faith is well expressed in a few lines from familiar hymn:
 Then rightis right since God is God, And right the day must win: To doubt would be disloyalty, To falter would be sin"
 In the presence of the great evils of the drink traffic political atheism says Look at the great difficulties, consider the strength of the enemy, " but the Book of Faith says Be of good cheer; l have overcome the world"
 Skepticism says: "It is too great a task; you can't do it." Faith answers, With men it is impossible, but with God all things are possi- ble."
 Materialisn says: There are issues more important" Righteous ness answers: The most important things in the world are men, and drink destroy s men,"
 Selfshness says: "If l become a Prohibitionist l must leave my political party" Sacrifice answers: He that loveth father or mother or son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me"
 Cowardice says: But there are only a few who are trying to destroy the evil" and Courage answers: What is that to thee; follow thou me-"
 Men have come to regard politics as so corrupt that it is even beyond the power of the Omnipotence to cleanse it. The message of the Prohibition party to all such persons is that righteousness can reign in politics as well as in the life of a saint, and that when men believe that it is possible for right principles to govern, and back up that faith with good hard work, then victory will be possible Home Defender