Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1912-01-15
THINGS ON WHICH
Subject of Sermon by Rev. Waiter
Gay at Grace Memorial Baptist
Church.


Sunday evening at Grace Memorial
Baptist church. Rev. Walter Gay
spoke on the topic. Things on Which
We Should Think, taking for his text
the following:
whatsoever things are. true, what
soever things honest, whatsoever
things just. whatsoever things are
pure, whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are Of good report;
If there be any virture, and if there
be any pra;se, think on these things
Phil. Tvs,
He said these words are applicable
TO the present conditions Of our coun-
try, political civil. moral and religious
They constitute tho basis OF thought
and framework of action for all true
honorable, Upright men and women.
They are The things on which we
ought to think. For as a people of
nation or state or city or race
tbinketh in their hearts, so will they
act. With the telegraph and the news
paper operating so successfully az
they do, we as a people ought to be
power for good In moulding the
thought Of the coming generation. But
alas; 1 fear we are handing down to
them legacy Of evil thoughts and
leaving them the portrait of blemished
eharacteters. What is the meaning of
all this dissatisfaction and unrest in
politics? Why are we trying this
new Idea OF government by commits
sion? Is it net because those who as
pIre to political office violate their
promises to the people, and use their
position for selfish gain? What of the
murders committed in our own coun-
try; yes, the atrocious murders of in
noeent men, law abiding citizens for
political power, why are the rights of
citizenship denied one-eighth Of the
natiVe-born American citizens, and
not voice raised in protest by those
holding high political office? Is not
life as dear at home as it is abroad
II nation cannot protect her citizens
at home what righc has she to NEEDLE
with the affairs Of other nations2
What of the turmoil in social circles
Has virtue taken to herself wings and
flown to other realms, or is modesty
and self-respect obsolete terms? Why
are the postfnasters sending out mo-
tees about he use of the general de
livery by minors? Has the home lost
its grip on the children? Is there no
charm about the hearth place in these
days Of hurry? Is the social circle the
mere sounding of brass or the tinkling
of cymbals IL it the croaking of the
croaker or the howiing Of the deceiver;
this volcanic eruption in the social
life? Nay, verily-It is the sound Of
distant thunder, the voice OF destruc-
ton and not of peace and happiness.
1t means repetition OF the scenes of
destruction which resulted in The down
fall Of many of the nations OF the old
world. What about parental author
ity these Gays. is it not woefully lax
our children are men and women now
and we are often called to bow our
heads in shame and disgrace? What
shall be done to arrest the tide Of
evil: what shall We do to purify our
politics, to rectify the wrongs of civil
government, and to cleanse the heart
Of society from its moral defilement
and heal its putrefactions2 | reply,
| to take heed to the text.
| We as citizens of this government
| owe it to ourselves, to our homes,
| and to our country, and to our God,
| to speak and work against falsehood
and dishonesty in our politicians, TO
| eliminate it from our political parties
| and to cleanse the great throbbing
heart of our nation from the foul pu-
! trefaction.
Give us men who love the truth
! and reverence GOD ana we Will nave
/ pure ballot box. and the humblest
| citizen win have right, and that right
ssfeguarGed. If the negro race is &c
enjoy the rights Of citizenship in this
country, il must have education en-
lightenm snt, refinement and character
Let the Fatherhood of God and the
! brotherhood OF man FIND q place in the
business affairs, and there will be M
more war between capital and labor
My brethren, if you love justice, rise
M IN your mind, and in the name o.
our God, and defend it. Defend it BY
your honesty, defend it by truthful
ness, defend 1t by your honest char
aeter Defend it by the law, for i
justice is surrendered our liberties arr
gone. What we need most Of all i!
sturdy Christian manhood that viii
not falter when justice is being slaugh
tered on the portals of greed and Ii
centiousness. Think on these things
because the God given rights of maj
are being denied him by the few, VIII,
seek to fetter him with the chains o
serfdom
We can think of the great sacrifice
God made when He gave His only be
gotten Son to redeem us from tn
curse Of the law, that we might b.
heirs, and iointheirs with Him TO al
everlasting kingdom.