The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1914-04-09

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH NOTES. Sunday
April s, 1914, MIR. E. b. Emery Of the Civic
League of Maine spoke in behalf of that Or
ganizaticn. Mr.. Emery used as scripture read
ing the 18th chapter Of Romans to show the
relation between government and religion.
Government is of Divine origin and the highest
call next that Of preaching the gospel is that
of an honest politician. Only from association
has the word "politician" become unpleasant.
It is the universal duty to be interested in the
welfare of the State. No Christian man or
woman can shrink that duty. He or she who
holds aloof is wasting leaven needed by the
loaf. The laws Of Republic are made by the
! people. and upon the people rests the respon-
sibilitv of enforcement. What is the purpose
| of our State, and how canwe best carry on that
purpose? The preamble of the Constitution is
the answer to the first question. Read it and
| Won will find that it is in perfect harmony with
the teachings of the Book. Then. should 1t not
| be our highest purpose to carry toward
"iustice," elderly, ''peace" and Harmony"
and to stamp out all evils that threaten the
destruction of these virtues Gambling IN
! nettv WAYS is carried on in all parts OF the
State. Slot machines, dice and lottery tickets
are within the reach Of the public. Anything
from a cigar to an automobile may be won by
the "lucky". Allow boy to take tnese
chances of winning that for which ne mao not
maid and the end is ruin for that boy. Sunday
desecrati on is the breaking of law written not
onlv in Gods Book, but also in the bone and
muscle of man and beast "Six days shalt thou
labor. Whether it be open stores or open
mills the result is the same, the broken law
will lead to broken hes lth. Sunday must be a
dav of rest. Through fear of the subject.
Purity is little discussed. Readers OF the
press, however. cannot remain blind to the
horror of the White Slave Traffic. Here is
situation beyond the reach Of the Church
The State ealone through the enforcement OF
laws he's the power to end this immoral
traffic. All of these questions are important;
all are dangers to the happiness and prosperity
of our homes. That danger that lies nearest
must be dealt with first. Nearer at hand than
any of these, and more dangerous to the youth
of our State, is the Liquor Evil. For this
battle the Civic League is the servant OF the
Church. Its purpose is to secure the enforce
ment of law. Talk of the danger to the
prosperity of our State from Free Trade
What is that compare to the danger to our
boys from Free Rum We dssuss 1mmigra-
ton; we need to think more of the brewer and
the rum-seller. The great issue is not Mileage;
it is Protection. Permit the sale OF liquor and
you cannot prevent theresulting evils. Picture
the conditions in this State with License
poorly enforced laws and inadequate police.
Happiness. safety and prosperity would be the
sacrifice. Suppose church fail to convert all
in town, would you advocate closing its
doors i? Then why feel that because Prohibi-
ton has not entirely stopped the sale of
LIQUOR that it has failed ? 1t is winning its
fight. In the year 1918 there we're fewer COM
mitments that for twenty years previous.
We have a president who abstains from the
use of liquor. Every member OF his Cabinet
save TWO have publicly announced that they
do not serve intoxicating liquor at their ban
Duets. Is it not encouI agement In the
name of home and church do your part in
helping the State do its duty. Bring nearer
Gods Kingdom upon Earth... Easter Sunday
will be fittingly observed at morning and even
ing se1vice Carols, anthems and solos by
choir members and appropriate exercises by
the Primary Department of the s. s. will vary
the morning service. This will be a CLAD"
service and all to whom the day brings sadness
will find it helpful. For the evening the
choir are preparing the cantata. 1.-The Seven
Last Words of Christ" by Dubois. Throughout
the evening there will be both piano and organ
acc ompani ment, Mrs. James 2. Butman,
pianist, Miss Mildred E. Shute organist.