The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-08-29

~ ehat TtilBlOH Is tne only
sold basis Of society. II the
social edifice rests not on this
eternal and immutable foundation II
will o crumble to pieces. 1t would
De as vain to establish society without
reiigion as to erect a palace In the air
or on shifting sands or to hope to reap
q crop from seed scattered on the
oceans surface. Religion is to society
what cement Is to the building; II
makes all parts compact and coherent.
II who destroys religion" says
Plato. "~overthrows the foundations of
human society"
Religion Is the bond that unites
mar with his Creator. 1t is a virtue
b. which due honor and worship are
paid to God. 1t embraces all those
fundamental truths that involve Gods
sovereignty over us and our entire
dependence on Him. l employ religion
here In its broadcast and most compre-
hensive sense az embodying the exist
ence OF God. His infinite power and
knowledge, HIS providence over us,
the recognition OF a divine law, the
moral freedom and responsibility Of
man. the distinction between good and
evil. the duty Of rendering our homage
TO God and Justice and charity to our
nelghbor and finally the existence OF a
future state Of rewards and punish
ments.
This implies a moral training. so
that when I speak Of the necessity OF
religion for good citizenship / have in
mind too the moral training which
true religion imparts.
The social body Is composed OF In
dividuals who have constant relations
with one another; and the very life
and preservation OF society demand
that the members Of the community
discharge toward one another various
ana complex duties.
What is needed for good citizen
ship? What does society require of
your rulers and magistrates? What
does 1t require OF you? 1t demands
OF your rulers that they dispense JUS
tice with an even hand. 1t demands
OF you that you be loyal to your coun-
try, jealous in her defence, faithful
in the observance of her laws, con-
sc~ientioLs In the payment Of impcsts
and taxes for her maintenance and
support. 1t demands tina: you be
%scrupulous in observing your oaths
and vows. just in the fulflment OF
your contracts n obligations, honest
in your dealings and truthful
in your promises. 1t demands that
you honor and respect your lawful
superiors and that you be courteous
to your equals, condescending to your
Interiors, faithful to your friends,
~magnanimous to your enemies and
merciful to the poor and the oppressed.
1t demands OF the married couple CON
jugal fidelity, OF parents provident
vigilance, OF children flial love. In a
wcrd, 1t demands that you render to
all men their dues. tribute to whom
tribute is due, custom TO whom GUS
tom, fear to whom fear. honor to whom
honor; and that you render to
Caesar the things hat are Cgsar's and
to God the things that are Gods"
How can these virtues be practised
without sufficient motives? These mo
tives must be strong and powerful, be-
cause you have passions and seh-
Interest to overcome. They must be
universal, because they are binding on
all members OF society. They must be
permanent, because they apply to all
times and places.
What motives, religion apart, are
forcible enough to compel Legislators,
rulers and magistrates to be equitable
and impartial in their decisions? What
guarantee have we hat they will no
be biassed by prejudice and self-inter-
est? VIII n thirst for fame n a desire
for public appreciation prove a sufi-
cient incentive for them to do right?
How often has not this very love OF
glory and esteem impelled them to
tramp'e on the rights and liberties of
the many in order to win the %approba-
ton Of a few s%ycophants, just as Ro-
beam oppressed his subjects that he
might be admired and praised by his
young courtiers, and as Alexander en-
shaved nations to receive the applause
OF the tickle Atfenians,
What principles without religion are
binding enough to exact of you that
obedience which you W to society
and to the laws of your country? Is 1t
the dread OF civil punishment? But the
civil power takes coSniZanCe only of