The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1908-09-17
APPEAL TO
CHRISTIAN CHURCH
Made by Judge Taft In Behalf Of
tie TiIipi1os.
"a Great Missionary Work That Is
Certain to Promote Christian Civ
ilization."

Certain to Promote Christian Civ
ilization."
The extension of Il vitaliZlng Chris
tianitv among the Filipinos as advo-
Gated by Judge Taft 10th before his
speech of acceptance OF the nominal
ton to the presidency and in that doc
unent itself has been widely COM
mented upon in the pulplts of the
United States. The voice of the cler-
ev has given earnest commentator
to the attitude of Judge Taft, who
when governor general OF the Islands
exerted the utmost influence for
amelioration of the condition of the
inhabitants of the archipelago, and
that. too, at the cost of great self sac
rifice on his own part in refusing the
seat on the supreme bench, to which
he was both called and commanded
by President Roosevelt.
Never since he first assumed the bur
den of the governorship Of the Philip
pines has the welfare of the Filiponos
ceased to be close to the heart OF
Judge Taft. In his speech of accept
ance again he reminded the Americans
that it is the duly of this country as
strong. Christian and enlightened ma
ton to give spiritual as we'll as ma
terial aid to the distant brown breth-
rem.
Taft's Appeal to Church.
Rev Albert UurlstOne, pastor of
Roberts Park church. Indianapolis,
Ind, in a recent sermon thus spoke of
Judge Taft's appeal to the Christian
people of America:
"Mr. Taft used words of wisdom In
referring to this question in his notifl-
cation speech His appeal is not only
to his party. but it is to the Christian
church of America. 1t seems to me
that every man whose heart beats
Loyalty to Jesus Christ must rejoice in
the statement so truthfully made. Mr..
Taft said: We have established a gov
eminent with effective aud honest eX-
ecutive departments in the Philippines
and a clean and fearless administra-
ton of justice: we have created and
are maintaining comprehensive
school system which is educating the
youth of the islands in English and in
industrial branches; we have con-
structed great government public
works. roads and harbors; we have
induced the private construction of 500
miles of railroad; We have pOliced the
islands so that their condition as to
law and order is better now than it
has ever been in their history
Mr. Taft is better fitted to speak
on this question than any other man
in the government today by virtue of
his close connection with the problem.
his experience and personal observa-
ton of the work being done; hence
what he says will Ge needed by the
Christian church with intense interest.
Influence Of Christian Civilization.
More than ten years before Dewey
sailed into Manila Bishop Thoburn.
our missionary bishop for fifty years
in India, predicted that ere long the
missionary would find an open door in
the Philippines, but God alone knew
how the door was TO be opened.
Nov we hear Mr.. Taft saying: We
are engaged in the Philippines in a
great missionary work that does our
nation honor and Is certain to pro
mote in most effective way the in
fluence of Christian civilization. IT is
cowardly to lay down the burden until
our purpose is achieved True. nor
do we believe that the American peo
pie will allow this to be done The
sacrifice has been made, the song of
the redeemed people will ere long Fill
heaven and earth with gladness. Tie
selfish are ever lonely and joyless. but
they who bring the sacrifice to the
altar will find the joy of the Lord
1rise within them