The Tupelo journal., 1911-04-21
Religion and Politics.
Continued from Fourth page. }

formed. Correctly speaking we are all
politicians. You cannot help being a
politician. As a matter Of fact, politics.
properly understood, is the doctrine of
the way in which ! am to do my duty
to my neighbor, which is an essential
part Of true religion. 1t is nothing in
the world except the principles of re-
lieion applied to human society. Why
then do we often hear men say that we
must keep religion out Of politics? 1t
is because politics have been confoun-
ded with demaeoeism. My text teach
es that our conduct as citizens should
be conformed to the principles revealed
in the gospel Of Christ. What then, are
some of those. principles?
1. OLD fashioned honesty. Pro
vide things honest ia the sight of all
men" Provide for honest things. not
only in the sight Of the Lord. but also
in the sight of men." Asain, "Do that
which is honest.' But again, Owe no
man anything" The nan who wishes
to be a good citizen will not live be-
yond his income. Any mar may have
reyerses and be unable to meet his OBJ
LEGATIONS, but the man who deliberately
lives beyond his income, and buys
things which he knows that he cannot
paw for is a dishonest man. He will
not do to trust. A man who is dishon-
est in his private life will not do to
trust with an Office.
Another principle which we should
observe in our relations to our fellow
countrymeu. The Psa'm'st asked the
question, Who shall dwell in thy holy
hill?" He that walketh upriehtly
and worketh righteousness, and speak
eth truth in his heart; he that SANDER
eth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil
to his friend, nor taketh up a reproach
against his neiehbor. Mr.. S%purgeon
says, All ISLANDERS are the devils bel
lows to blow up contention, but those
are the worst which blow at the back
of The fire." Trapp says, The tale
bearer carries the devil in his tongue,
the tale nearer carries him in his ear"
| will refer to but one other principle
and then | must pass on. You will
find it in Rom. 1910. In honor pre-
ferins one another" How little of this
masnanimitv we see in politics. What
plotting, what treachery, what tiger
like f~erocity we often see. On every
side, in all parties alike. we see an in
famous scramble for Office. Every man
seeking his own good, not the good OF
another. No self respect. no modesty,
but inordinate greed. 1t is VERY much)
too common on the part of those who
write or speak about politics to impute
tie vilest motives to their political oppo-
nsnts, and to carry on their observa-
lions in a perfect show of personalities.
Even in this town the unhappy temper
OF mind, prediu1ice. passion and 10y
atty to political leaders have been car
RED 10 such an extent that | would not
dare to mention the name of a candl-
date in a mixed assembly like this.
This brings US to consider another cues
ton.
2. Under these painful circum-
stances What course should we Chris
tians take? As people cannot discuss
politics without losing their tempers, as
50 much mud is being flung about, aud
as it is so disturbing to the serene spirit
of a devout man. the hasty and super
fetal reply of many is this: Take no
part in politics whatever. often hear
it said that politics is SO corrupt that a
good man cannot have anything to do
with the political institutions Of today
If politics have become SO unscrupu-
lots and SO mercenary and so dirty
fiat good men cannot afford to touch
them. is it not because good men have
live beneath their privilege and neg
Iseted their duly7 Is this a reason
why we should continue to fail to dis