The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1911-11-29


FAIRS OF OUR NATION-THE
CHRISTIAN THE BEST CITI-
ZEN.
Declaring that the true Christian
man is always the best citizen, and
that Religion and Politics must mix
in the affairs of our nation, Rev. c.
G.. Miller, pastor of st. Johns Evan
gelical Lutheran church, delivered a
strong sermon Sunday night, before
the Honesdale Council No. $50, Jun
ior Order of United American Me-
chanics, who attended the services
in body.
Taking as his text Isaiah 26:15-
Thou hast increased the nation, o
Lord, thou hast increased the ma
ton; thou art glorified; thou hadst
removed it far unto all the ends of
the EARTH" Pastor Miller spoke in
part as follows:
6 1t is source of great satisfac-
tion to every devout Christian that
the Chief Executive of the nation is
accustomed once a year to invite the
people to assemble in their places of
worship, to return thanks to AL
mighty God for His blessings to the
country.
g 1t is also a matter of gratifica-
ton that your order, by insisting
that that you attend divine worship
once a year, gives public and solemn
recognition of a Supreme Being, an
Oyerruling Power, and it cannot fail
to exert a salutary influence on our
people at large, and secure for us a
continuance of Divine favor and
blessing.
1t is just 1872 years ago that the
first National Thanksgiving was
celebrated, November 26, 1889. The
occasion was that the people had
succeeded in effecting a constitution
al government.
BY the Providence of God this
country has been opened to all the
world that we first might apprehend,
enjoy and give civil and religious
liberty to a sin-cursed and priest
ridden world. Here each man is
sovereign in his own sphere.
The word Democracy has such
peculiar charm to the popular ear
that there is a tendency to degener-
ate it and turn it into mere license.
Men regard this land as place
where they may do about as they
please. For unjust legislation there
is always remedy, but not in con-
tempt of the commonwealth. By the
ballot box we can make or unmake
legislation.
If I understand the principles of
your order you stand not for selfish
perverted patriotism which expresses
itself in the surly restriction of emf
grafton. No there is room for all
emigrants in this land; but we
must put up bar to all those who
would be detrimental to the coun-
try, such as the insane and pauper.
Patriotism is not mere, morbid
effervescent sentiment, but patriot
ism is deep-hearted love funded on
the bed rock of the eternal God
given principle obliging all men not
only to respect their country's laws
but to contribute to the development
of every phase of life through the
length and breadth of the land.
If our people want to show their
patriotism and love to their country
let them pray to God to raise up
leaders among men who will take us
forward under the blessing of AL
mighty God.
The true Christian man is al
ways the best citizen. Religion and
Politics must mix in the affairs of our
nation. Piety and patriotism must
clasp hands at the altar of Freedom.
The prosperity of the nation depends
on Christian men who do their duty.
d" The family is the keystone
foundation of character, the hope of
the church, the safety of the State.
Many of the homes in our day have
become mere inns where families eat
and sleep. Family life is lost in the
giddy whirl of society, in the chase
after cheap amusement. Let us try
to neutralize the spirit of the age,
and become keepers of our homes.
Let us make our hearts pure, our
homes pleasant, our lives beautiful.
May the flag of Freedom unfurl
it's Stars and Stripes over all the
earth, and as an object lesson to fu-
ture citizens of the land may it float
over all the school houses from the
Atlantic to the Pacific, from the
Great Lakes to the Gulf, and may
good people everywhere find refuge
under its folds so that they may be
constrained to cry out, like the inn
mortal Webster, /, l, too, am an
American citizen!'"
Several hundred people attended
the service which was featured by
special music rendered by the choir
of st. Johns.