South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-07-06
GOLDEN RULE NEEDED
IN CITY GOVERNMENT
Mayor GayIor Speaks at First
Methodist Church in First of
Series of Talks by Promi-
nent Local Men.

An interesting series Of Sunday
tinued throughout the present month,
was inaugurated Sunday evening at
the First Methodist Episcopal Me-
mortal church when Mayor Ralph w.
Gayler delivered g highly interest
ing and intellectual discourse, his sub
ject being christianity in the Life Of
Today" Next Sunday evening K. G..
Eberhart will speak on the subject of
Christianity and Business"
In the course of his remarks the
mayor said I'm part:
Il think you will agree with me
that nothing can be found in the Bible
to warrant the belief that Gods plan
for the salvation OF the world con-
templates that the church alone is to
be His instrument in bringing about
this result.
II think you will agree with me
also that IL is clearly intended that
the principles of the religion of Jesus
Christ should be applied In every
sphere of life In the church and its
various activities we perhaps expect
TO find the highest and nOblest ex-
emplification of those principles, but
If the forces of evil are ever TO be
banished from the face OF the earth.
it means, for instance, that employer
and employe alike must adopt the
principle OF the Golden Rule in their
dealings with each other. Ii means
that the teachings of Christ must be
practiced In the domain of the home,
the school. the lodge and in society
generally.
And il we expect the Christian re-
llgtOn to permeate these various &C
tivities Of life. surely We have a right
TO regard government as proper
sphere for the operation of the Golden
Rule, the cultivation Of righteousness
and the development of principles
that are really and truly Christian.
With this idea in view L have
been asked to speak a few minutes on
the subject Of Christianity and Gov
eminent
"A few weeks ago / attended a
meeting OF the mayors OF Indiana at
indianapolis 1 was a little late in
arriving at the meeting and entered
the convention hall just as the great
Christian governor of this state was
delivering the addresses Of welcome,
and just at the point in his address
where he was imploring those men,
standing as they were at the head of
the government of the principal cities
of this great state, to be mindful OF
their oath Of office, to stand for law
enforcement and to wipe out the
&
way Of life of our boys and girls.
1T was my pleasure to be a mem
Der. with Governor Ralston. Of a dele
cation which spent a week in Wash
ington last February and as a result
OF my association with him during
that week my admiration and respect
for him increased. but l never had as
high regard for him as l did the day
L listened 10 his address of welcome
m a of W
so true with the idea of social serv-
ice and moral uplift.
And then / listened with great in
terest to informal talks by a number
of mayors, and l was deeply impressed
with the fact that there was not a
discordant note along the line of law
enforcement in municipal affairs,
sounded by a single man who spoke.
Il want TO say TO you my friends,
and il is my honest belief. based on
experience, observation and personal
contact with many mayors and city
officials OF this state. that not in a
score Of years, IL indeed ever before
in its history, has there been such a
statewide movement for moral up
lift, law enforcement and the en-
thronement of the Golden Rule as
the rule of life, as is manifest in the
government Of the cities OF our great
state at the present time.
such q movement must awaken In
terest and inquiry not only in the
churches but throughout the state,
and should command the support Of
all Christian and respecting men
and women. Ii clearly indicates that
government Is proper sphere for the
application Of Christian principles,
and that religion is not yet ready to
be put into the category of spent
forces
1T behooves us as Christian men
and women 10 be ever Watchful and
active in the affairs Of city govern
ment In local politics let party
loyalty be an empty shibboIeth In
terest yourselves in primaries and
party affiliation that you cast your
ballot for men of high ideals and
lofty purpose for the various offices
Of city government, for / am OF the
firm belief that Christianity will find
II place in municipal government, just
as often as the Christian men and
women Of a community will that it
shall so be.
And now may add a word which
do not wish 10 be construed as per-
sonal. but rather as general in its ap-
plication. Having elected men Of this
type as officers of a city they should
have the active support of all OF the
best citizenship OF the community in
all matters pertaining TO the city's
welfare. Too often are the benefits
OF such a victory minimized because
of the lethargic attitude OF the best
citizens toward civic affairs as soon
as election is over.
Back up your officials during every
single day OF their term Of office In
dulge in honest criticism, but refrain
from petty fault-inding. which but
too often is unjust because of a mis-
apprehension OF the real situation.
The responsibilities are great and
these men do not know il all. Co
operation between citizens and Of
ficials will achieve results that can
be attained in no other way"
MARRIED AT ST. JOE.
William Straub of River Park and