Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-07-31
CHRISTIAN CITIZENSHIP.

Christian citizens all over the coun-
,rv are being aroused to q realization
Of their responsibility as citizens. They
are beginning to realize that indi'te'-
ence on the part of good citizens 10
the manner In which public officials
perform their duties is very largely re-
sponsible for bad government TheS
know that when the righteous are IN
authority the people rejoice; but when
the wicked beareth rule. the people
mourn" and that this is Az true under
the popular form of government VITA
which this country Is blessed, as 1t IS
under despotism. They are beginning
to realize that citizen is not a good
citizen merely because he is success
full business man who can distance all
ompetitors but that good citizenship
s proved by untirlng work for the
prevalence OF righteousness, truth, ana
justice In all public affairs.
prominent Massachusetts, pastor,
CONGREGATIONAL Rev. n. NJ Hall, OF
Springfield, some time ago delivered
a notable address on this subject He
pointed out that the true object or
city government, and we may say all
government, is to make life better be-
cause OF greater opportunities OF moral
and intellectual improvement The
functions Of government are not for
selfish purposes, but for the uplifting
OF man out of ignorance and bondage
to the level OF the privileges of The
sons and daughters OF the Almighty
you may make your administration
as husiness-like as possible" Mr.. Hall
said; you may improve your public
schools until every child in the CONF
munity has complete education; you
may beautify your city until 1t dims
the glory of Athens and Venice, but
you will not have the highest type of
civic life unless the citizens are filed
with the spirit OF Jesus Christ"
The Rev. Gentleman then took up the
cry of certain politicians demanding
that the churches keep out of politics.
on this subject he said in part:
what we want today is the fullest
possible scrutiny of politics and bust
ness by the church, The Christian
citizen actively engaged In politics and
business as n Christian, as represen-
tative Of the church of Jesus. is what
the world needs. Not the church of
course as an actual organization, but
the Christian life of the church; the
men who have sat at the feet of Jesus,
who have been inspired by His teach
ings: the dynamic force of the church
expressed In the determination and
energy of Christian character-this Is
the ideal citizenship, and this alone
can save the city.
IF this force is once eXertcd moth
ing can stand before It The united
Christian citizenship of any commu-
nifty, breaking loose from traditions,
from the bondage Of party allegiance,
can accomplish any reform II may de-
sire.
"a Christian who stands at the polls
To vote OH municipal questions has no
right even TO think Of party symbols
ana affiliations; he should think only
of his citys good. and ask himself
how he shall vote to advance the City's
honor and promote it's highest interests.
This form OF Christian citizenship
heretofore has been dumb. inert, help
less The time has come for It to
awaken. The church Is an advisable
part of the city We cannot deny our
responsibility. We are bound to all its
life by mystic ties. Its shame, its des-
titutions, It's squalor, are ours. Let
us resolve that ours shall be also the
honor OF its emancipation and the glory
of its coming power"
1t will interest readers of the News
10 see how broad-minded Christian men
and women regard question which in
Utah has been made an excuse.
though without reason, for an almost
insane agitation.