The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-09-26

BY WILLIAM T. ELLIS.
A curious phase of the jubilation in
Turkey over the granting Of constitu-
tional government has been the en-
phasis that has been laid upon the re-
ligious side of this momentous trade.
Moslems and Christians have sudden
~ become as brothers. When Otto
mans of all names got together in
New York a few weeks ago for a cele-
bration, the point most emphasized
was religious liberty. 1t is more than
a coincidence that religion seems in
separately bound up with the crises of
every nations history. In the COM
monplace days OF humdrum prosper
ity religion may be subordinaIed; but
in the epochal periods which shape
the future II Is To the fore. Many of
the greatest wars recorded have had
their genesis in religious questions.
The enlightened judgment OF the
world today opposes any alliance of
church and state; but 1t discerns with
equal clearness the need for the
church IN the state. Religion is vital
10 progress. The real estate men may
not be theologians, or even historians,
but when they advertise, as they COM
monty do, the presence of churches
in the neighbornood they are BOOM
ing, they snow knowledge OF human
nature and those conoitions which
universally make for prosperity.
AS the old kingdom of Israel, united
under King David entered upon its
most glorious era, II was FIRST of all
concerned about the conservation of
its religion. This period showed Is
rael at its best. First outstanding, of
course, was the man David. You can
not have even a religious revival with
out man behind 1t. The Almighty
himself seems unable to fulfill his
purposes without mortal help. David,
the man, is the explanation of the
- 81 - t.
had captured the ancient stronghold
of Jerusalem, and meant to make the
city his capital. He could not help
imposing his own personality upon
the place; for a man is bigger than a
city. The world is filled with places
OF pilgrimage that are notable simply
because Of their association with some
one personality. To the end of time,
Jerusalem will be remembered and
honored as 1.-The City of David"
Piety Plus Common Sense.
1t was a wise political move for Da-
vid to make Jerusalem his capital.
The city was just within the borders
Of Judea, but also close TO the bor-
ders OF the northern kingdom. AS a
commentator has said. "This would
conciliate all parties and be a bond
of union, since IL was the center of
the district within which had been
wrought out the life history OF the
Twelve LIlOeA a Circle Oh miles
radius, with Jerusalem for a center.
embraced almost every name and al
most every achievement In Hebrew
history" "As a military post it was
unrivalled. 1t was the Gibraltar of
Palestine"
general procedure upon assuming the
throne, David displayed strategy of the
first order. He is a splendid model for
the modern statesman. He did not
need1essly antagonize anybody, and he
went out of his way to make a good
impression upon the people; for their
favor was his most direct path to the
achievement of his patriotic purposes.
A certain conspicuous character in the
politics OF the United States, a man
Of unquestioned virtue and ability, is
widely opposed because he cannot
tains the role of a Crusoe ma
rooned on an island of virtue in an
ocean of political iniquity. Not so Da-
Vid. He was careful to cultivate many
eounselors, and he sought advice
widely before proceeding to any i'm
portant action. So whatsoever the
king did pleased all the people"
Welding a Nation Into Oneness.
It Is easier to build a capital and to
create an army, as David did, than
to unity q people. He had been
chosen ruler of many divergent inter
ests. His problem was to present some
dominant and unifying ideal that
would weld them into oneness. Nat
urally, this ideal was religious. The
strongest sentiment of mankind con-
Germs its religion. Myriads of men
who scarcely ever give a thought to
the church or to their faith would in
stantly face the lannon's mouth were
the religion of their fathers in dan
ger. So David summoned Israel to
rally round the ark. He designed to
make Jerusalem. as 1t quickly became.