The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1910-05-28

Topic.-Is ours a Christian nation?-Ps
xxxiii. s-22- Comment by Rev Sherman
H. Doyle, d. D.
The only answer that can be given
to the question rs the United States Of
America a Christian nation" is that
it is. To say that nation is a
Christian nation does not mean that
every citizen OF that country is a
Christian, nor does it mean that there
are no adherents OF other religions
within its bounds. The Chinese en-
pire Is Confucian, so far as religion IS
concerned, but multitudes Of its people
are not followers Of Confucius, but are
Buddhists, Brahmans and Christians.
So it is to greater or less extent with
all nations. But the United States in
numbers. in the character of its gov
eminent. in its history and develop
ment, is by far more Christian than
China is Confucian or India Is Brah
man. 1t Is more distinctively OF one
particular religion Christianity than
perhaps any other nation In the world
l. Numerically our nation is Chris
tan nation. The recent religious cen
sus gives the total membership of
Christian churches as about 33, 100000.
But actual membership in the Chris
tian church does net begin to include
the entire number Of our people who
are Christian in heart and in belief
Every actual church member repre-
sents on All average between one and
two who are Christians in preference
to any other religion. so that within a
few millions Of our population. and
they representing unbelief rather than
faith in any other religion. all our
Christianity. No other religion has
any numerical hold upon our nation.
2. Our nation. from historical
standpoint. always has been Christian.
Christian people settled our land. God
led them here from tyranny and per-
secution abroad. In all their strug-
giles and dangers they put their trust
in God, and He blessed and helped
them. In all great national crises
we have depended upon the God of
Christianity. Moreover. today. in peace
as in time of war. in quiet as in
storm, our nation goes steadily on ad-
vancing in Christian civilization
g. In the basic principles Of her gov
eminent our nation is Christian. Gods
name may not be written in the consti-
tuition Of the United States, but it is
plainly written In the character of that
immortal document. IL not written in
the constitution 1t is stamped upon our
coins, and when a popular president
decided to omit the motto In God We
Trust" the people demanded its reten-
ton. and 1t was retained. None but q
Christian nation would have taken
such a vigorous position and compelled
its opinion to be regarded. The laws
Of our states are practically Christian
as well as the vast majority OF our Of
ficehoiders. No atheist could be elected
to any important Office in our land
Robert G. IngersoIl was once under
consideration as candidate for gov
ernor OF New York. but his party
dared not nominate him because OF
his agnosticism. Some time later he
sarcastically asked. What coed has
Christianity ever done anyway A
clever elderly lady at once replied. 1T
kept Robert IngersoIl from being gov
ernor OF New York That was . great
good 1t least
4. The attitude OF our nation toward
: forefe- H.fsssnns- dSna--trates that II