Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-01

oppressed from Russia and Poland and
other continental countries to share in
the blessed privileges of liberty and SELF
government won by the heroism of our
Christian forefathers. but we should make
them plainly to understand that they
must not raise their hands against the
Christian customs and institutions which
are vital elements Of our American CIV
ilization. A decent respect for the coun-
try which has offered them an asylum
and a home and a refuge from old world
tyranny should restrain them from any
attempt to change our fundamental
character as a Christian nation. Let not
the liberty of Jew or Gentle be violated
one whit. Let no child be taught any
religious doctrine or custom to which his
parents object. Let them have full lib
erty to withdraw their children, If they
wish. during the time in which Christian
exercises are held. But let not Christ
and Christmas be cut out of our school
exercises to meet the wishes of the par
ents Of one-fifth of the school children
''But let it not be forgotten that 1t is
the private, rather than the public use Of
the Bible which is most important, and
from which the largest and most perma-
nent results are to be hoped. 1The Bible
in the school is important, the Bible in
the home is tenfold more important. Yet
here is the weakest spot in our record
as a people. The family Bible in thou
sands Of homes lies dusty and neglected
on the shelf In thousands more it is
thing of the past. 1t would be a glorious
day for the republic If the Christian peo-
Pile of the land were to rise as one man
and place the Bible where it ought to be.
in the midst of the family as the center
of light and influence.
81 said there were three pillars of our
civilization, and / have said something on
the first of these. Let us now look at
the second, Gods church. This, too. is
strong pillar, upholding the fair fabric of
the state. Let US recall the fact. which Is
fact, whether men like 1t or no. that
the church Of Christ has been the pioneer
of modern civilization in every country
in Europe, as 1T was conspicuously in
America; that 1t has been the most infiu-
entail agent in consolidating society," as
also in sweetening it with charity. and
With all its many and great imperfec-
tons, with all it's conflict, controversy
and strife, and with all of its offenses
against the law of love-the Christian
church yet stands without rival among
earthly institutions in the history of these
nineteen centuries as an ameliorating,
elevating and unifying influence in So
ciety. 1t has been at once conservative
and a progressive force. On the one
hand 1t has saved society from anarchy
and confusion, and on the other it has
stood forth as the champion Of liberty
against the encroachments of despottc
power.
X X
There is a special office to be performed
by the church In the modern world which
ought not to be overlooked mean the
office of reconciler between contendins in
terests and divided classes. 1t is the
mighty promoter of morality, without
which no state can prosper; If 1t is the
great educator of the people in the fear
and love of God which alone the stability
of government and the permanency of
law can be assured. the church is also the
great reconciler, who draws together
sundered classes in society, heals divi-
ity and brotherly love, the gulf between
the rich and the poor, the high and the
low.
Now, lastly, I come to speak of Gods
day. This is one of the great conserva-
tive institutions upon which the fabric of
our Christian state doth rest, Gods day
stands side by side with Gods book and
Gods church, strong pillar of our
Christian civilization.
THE observance of Sunday has been
from the beginning an institution of
our country. and has been protected and
enforced by statute in most of our states.
But, my friends. how stands the case of
Sunday observance today in our land?
In various parts of the country. especially
in some of the great cities. the law has
been set at defiance. If it has NOT been
actually repealed. 1t cannot be doubted
that forces are at work which threaten
to disintegrate this strong pillar of the
state.
X *
Recently in New York the actors. the