The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-05-31

The rector Of the Church OF the Ad-
vent Rev. Edward NJ. Mott. whose let
ter in The Washington Herald a few
days ago criticising the dismissal Of
clerks in the Treasury attracted wide
attention. touched upon the same sub
Ject in his morning sermon on Sunday.
The parable Of Dives and Lazarus"
ne said. 'fs a portrayal by the Master
Of life Of what really might have hap
pened in the days when our Lord lived
on earth and walked the streets OF
Jerusalem. It might happen to-day. but
the poor begEar. full OF sores and desir-
ing to be fed with crumbs from the
table Of one Of our West Side mnlionaires.
would. it is most likely. be soon removed
by the police as an undesirable citizen.
taken 10 the house Of detention and later
sent to the poorhouse. If he had no rela-
tives 10 take care OF him. or no visible
means of support.
In fact the influence Of our religion
has grown so great that sight such
as oUr Lord pictures would really and
truly be a reelection on the morals and
manners Of Washington for permitting
such a disgusting sight as a beggar. full
Of sores. affrontng with bis vile presence
the entrance TO the home Of a prominent
and worthy citizen.
And yet we all see deeper than that
into our Lord s meaning. He has stated
with His own inimtable and matchless
power the case of the dependent one. the
helpless one. the uncared for one. He
has stated the case Of the independent
one, the one able TO help. the one in pos
session Of an this worlds advantages
He has stated the relationship between
the two.
He has nothing to say about the rela-
ton Of labor ana capital. Of the capital
ist and the wage-earner. He has no essay
20 make in political economy. He gives
no reason why the rich man lives where
he lives and as he lives. He gives no
explanation why the poor. wretched beg
gar has reached his deplorable state He
only states a fact Il is the extreme
fact, the ultimate instance which covers
all others. And there IS where religion
begins"
CriticIses Political system.
After speaking Of Washington's UNIQUE
position among the cities Of the world
its beauties, its fine home life. and the
problems It has TO deal with. he took up
the question Of governmental service.
saying:
I'VE do not want religion and politics
mixed together. We hate and despIse
the ways OF the politicians who would
force out the one employee Of the govern
ment already honorably engaged 20 put
IN another. We hate and desplse the
political methods which keep drones and
evil livers and dishonest and unworthy
men and women in office. 10 the shame
and contempt Of the honorable and Just
and good. But in spite Of such things.
the standard. we are sure. Is splendidly
high
Where we want to see the rule which
our Master has laid down in the parable
Of Dives and Lazarus enforced is. not
I'm the creating of dependent. helpless.
pitiable paupers, to live On the bounty
OF our citizens. but in the creating OF
that system by the government which
VIII bring some honorable and decent and
hitting subsistence 10 the aged. gray
haired, and faithful servant of the ma
ton. disabled in service.
No one has higher respect for authori-
ty and Office than the minister Of Christ
no one can realize more keenly than he
the trials and difficulties which the high
official and those with him labor under.
subject to a system which they did not
create, and under which they must work.
But woe to them who allow personal
interest, selfish motive. corrupt influences