The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1910-07-02

Topic--W hat Is Christian either ship?-
Ps. cxxiv. Is: Rev xxi. l-3 (Consecra-
ton meetingD Edited by Rev. Sherman
Fl. Doyle. -. d.
Tomorrow is Independence day, the
anniversary OF the signing of the Dec
laration of Independence. 1t Is fitting
that upon the eve of such a day our
attention should be turned to our du-
ties toward our country. or what we
call citizenship. and. going step fur
Their. Christian citizenship. We might
ask. ''ln what does Christian citizen
ship differ from plain citizenship"
Why should we not simply speak Of
the duties Of citizenship. which all
men in general owe to the state or ma
ton to which they belong? 1t might
be truthfully said that there is no
difference. One man who enjoys the
privileges and protection Of a nation
owes as much to his country as every
other man in the same position. This
is really true in fact. But Christians.
protesting faith in the God of nations
and in Christ, the King of kings, are
expected to have higher conceptions
even of citizenship than others and to
perform more faithfully their duties
even to civil governments. If duty re-
quires us in any phase of life to go one
mile. the Christian should go two.
AS Christian citizens today we should
remember Gods hand in the history
of our country. He brought here in the
settlement Of our land the best Chris
tan blood OF Europe. men willing to
fight and die If necessary to enjoy
both civil as we'll as religious free
dom. In all our internal and external
struggles God has been with US as a
nation. In the war for independence.
in the war for perpetuation and our
lesser wars with foreign countries
1.-The God of battles" has been with us.
Well may we exclaim with the psalm
list. If it had not been the Lord that
was on our side. then they
would have swallowed us up quick
when their wrath was kindled against
u.s." But God was with US. The Lord
OF hosts was our King of glory. Re
Numbering these things. we should
show our gratitude by keeping our ma
ton a Christian nation and even in
creasing its faith in God. so that in all
future struggles and in times of peace
and prosperity God will still be our
God. and we shall be blessed. for
blessed is the nation whose God is
the Lord
TO the cad of continuing our nation
as a Christian nation we should ever
pray for her and those in all places of
authority. We should bear our part
cheerfully and willingly in performing
our duties to local. state and national
government In rendering unto God
the things that are Gods we should
also render unto Caesar the things that
are Caesars. The Christian who has
the right and does not vote is as much
responsible for missovernment in all
its different phases as those who do
vote and elect men who will sell their
votes and corrupt legislation. The man
who is too lazy. too busy or too indif-
ferent to exercise his right of fran
chise should be compelled TO do 1t or
lose it altogether. The best men often
neglect their duties. while the worst
take perhaps extra advantage of
theirs. voting for the ones who do not
so 10 the polls. And who's to blame:
Primarily the man who stays away.
What right. moreover. have they to
complain CT bad government II they