The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1913-08-26
IN The RELIGIOUS WORLD
What the Church Folk Are Thinking
About and Doing.


ClCN NtIt i
was not to be personal. 1t
really could not be democratic if il
oepended upon one man. No single
individual is indispensable in a de-
mocracy. Principles come before men.
me power OF government consists in
the loyalty or the great body Of the
people to the laws which they them
serves have accepted. SO these He
DreWs had to learn to govern them
selves by high consideration Of duty
and citizenship.
Staging the Great Scene.
The inauguration of a President OF
the Cnlted states is an imposing
spectacle. fhe reason is apparent, it
the statelineSS, dignity and
importance of government. 1t robes
IN dignity and pomp a historic occa-
sion. The glory of the nation is dim
~ reflected by the greatness of an in
auguration day.
The scene before Mount Sinai was
n Inauguration day of theoretic de-
mOcracy. The people were now to
come under the sway Of the great new
laws that were to be enunciated from
the Mount. A preparation time was
commanded with three days of puri-
fcatlOn. This reminds us that some
reverent citizens would impast almost
a sanctity to the ballot
box. AS the children Israel were pre-
pared, with a great ritual and cere-
monlalS, to enter upon the duties Of
self-gOverning citizenship, so the
of a democracy, lineal in
heritors Of this first democracy, should
approach with solemnity and rever-
ence the great rite of citizenship.
That was a sublime spectacle, wheri
the whole body of the Israelites, de
llVered from bondage and The rule OF
an autOcrat, were drawn up in stately
array before the great granite noun
tain Of Sinai. The event was staged
in a manner to make them stop and
think. The problems of government
now as then, are worthy of the lOfti-
est and most reverent consideration
of he citizens. Perhaps if votins
were not so casual and informal q
matter or if it had to be preceded by
a period of fasting and sleepless sell
examination, and performed annie
elaborate ritual, the obligations which
accompany it would be more seriously
entertained by a majority of the vot
erS.
The Great Oath.
Imagination is needed to see tina
company Of Hebrews, freshly clad il
their best raiment, newly cleaned
standing with awed face and reveren
mein, before the smoking mountain
To their startled yes the c'oud which
crowned the summit held the invisi
BILE Presence.
This day they were to meet will
Jehovah and hav their formal inau
guratiOn as a nation.
The message hat came to them i
that applies, in a striking degree
to our land and time. They were tn
chosen people. They were reminded
of their providential history, and how
Il bare you on eagles wings, an
: brought you unto myself. Now, there
fore, if We will obey my voice indeed
and keep my covenant, then We shal
be mine own possession from anon
all peoples"
! Nothing evoke a mans best pOwe
r like the knowledge that he has bee
chosen for a great task. That was tn
/ conviction which was borne in p
: Israel on hat memorable day. TIL
same realization should purify and ex
e alt our patriotism.
: Overwhelmed, stirred to the dept
of their souls, fired by new strang
5 purposes, the waiting mu'titudes be
low Mount Sinai, took the cath tina
: was asked of them: All h Jehova
hath spoken we will do" 1t was
nations covenant with God, the mos
solemn vow that they could utter. Tn
: greatest day for patriotism is whe
men associate thoughts of religio
$ with thoughts Of their national dut!