Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-01-24
CITIZENSHIP is
HELD IN HEAVEN
Fewer Holding Themselves I'm
worthy Than Scoffers
Charge.
CHRISTIAN PERFECTION
Pastor of United Presbyterian Church
Touches on Local Option in
Sunday Sermon.

Heavenly Citizenship" was the
subject of the sermon delivered yes
terday morning at the United Pres
byterian church, Third avenue and
Fourteenth street. by the pastor, Rev.
John Leyda Vance. He said:
That was an interesting celebra-
ton on a recent evening in our court
house when several lately neutraliz-
ed citizens of foreign birth were ac-
corded a formal recognition in well
come greetings and suitable coun-
sells. These aliens became fellow
citizens with us by renouncing for
mer allegiance and taking new oath
of fealty. We should seek in all
ways to set a high premium upon
American citizenship in their minds
and before all.
Alongside the news item of that
novel reception was recorded also
the gratifying incident of refusal of
citizenship to an applicant who was
a deliberate lawbreaker in the SER
vice of the Sunday saloon, crafty
ing because such a subject would be
verify more Objectionable than pau
per or i1literate. Great liberties like
ours are not to be entrusted to such
persons as will certainly abuse them.
Heavenly Behavior.
THE old word conservation in
this verse gives place to the word
citizenship in the newer and better
translation, and it is a more correct
and ineligible term in this connec-
ton. The French bible uses both
words, Our conversation is that of
citizens of heaven the term con-
versation' not being limited to- our
common narrow application of it; but
embracing the whole manner of life,
thought, word and deed, spirit and
action. We conduct ourselves as
those that are citizens of heaven
Indeed that is a proud boast. To
justify it would require a very high
standard of living.
1--WE naturally inquire for whom
such a claim is made. A clear dis
tinction and contrast is drawn at the
verse division here, between those
who walk in the two different paths
of right and wrong. And we are
cautioned to mark well those who
mind earthly things because our in
spiration and guidance for living is
gotten from heaven. Precious honor
and sacred duty rests then upon the
professed Christian. We sometimes
wonder why people of the world often
take the right side of moral ques-
lions with great energy and hazard
to themselves. Still more do we
wonder when declared religious peo-
pie do not take the right side, but
shirk and bubble and sidestep. These
present times are testing how many
good citizens of heaven live now in
Rock Island. And 1 am proud to
say that there are many fewer church
members showing themselves I'M
worthy of heavenly citizenship than
the scoffers charge.
A Bold Claim.
Consider first the claim that the
Christians real citizenship is not of
this world but is held in heaven.
The perfect pattern of the Christian
is found in the new testament. and
this ideal is only imperfectly realiz-
ed in any that are honored to bear
the Christian name on earth; so our
glorious titles and prerogatives are
to be read in scripture rather than
in human character. We can read
our title clear in this matter in God S
word, and it will yield us many points
relative to our citizenship in the
heavenly kingdom.
For instance, to begin with. citi-
zens are usually registered or enroll
ed where they belong. Every citizen