Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-12-11
Sermon on Civic
Righteousness
by Prof. Libby

At the request Of friend, the Journal
takes pleasure In quoting few extracts
from the powerful and timely sermon OF
Professor Herbert c. Libby Of Colby col
lege delivered at the Penney Memorial
church on Sunday morning. He said In
part:
There is no side Of our activity as
citizens of great republic SO in need Of
the positive influence of Christian men
and women as that Of politics. That need
is felt through it all-in caucus, In pri-
mary, in elections, and In holding public
Office. And there is no place which needs
more backbone. more grit. more positive
ness, more fight, than the caucus meeting
where candidates for positions Of public
trust are selected
And yet those Of you who are in the
habit Of attending your caucuses know Of
the disgraceful absence OF men Of sterl-
ing Christian worth. Where are these
strong men of our day? These men who
have pledged themselves to service?
These men who worship God for His
wonderful goodness, and cry aloud in
their prayers: o Lord, send me, send
mol
Whore? Before the open fire at home
criticising some public official for his
failure to do his full duty. At the club
strutting about In all the regalia of their
office, the while they impressvely chant
their ritual which tells Of civic duty, and
duty to their God. Where else? Any
where and everywhere but at the caucus.
"Importune them. and they will lnva-
60 ,f tir,,n
to attend, because the politicians have
already named the men for Office. When
they tell you that the politicians have al
ready named the men for Office they
speak what is literally true: but when
they tell you it's a waste OF time they
tell you what is not true. and as Ameri-
can citizens they ought to know it.
"They keep away from the caucus, ana
ont of politics. because they fear the
criticisms of their fellow townsmen; be-
cause they fear newspaper notoriety; be-
cause they are afraid to go into the Tenn
pie with scourge in hand and help to
clean it out: they are afraid of good
stiff fight.
II don't know Of anyone who really de-
rives much enjoyment from having his
name dragged in the political mire. and
his judgments criticised by an unfeeltnG
and strongly partisan press. But II that
must perforce be one of the sacrifices to
be undergone in order that clean. sound
thinking, heroic men shall stand in public
office, then why not the sacrifice? To shift
the burden TO the shoulders of your neigh
Dor is nothing short Of downright selfish
nesA
Need any Christian man ask: Why
should get mixed up in caucus and con-
vention fights? Why should l SOIL my
hands? Why should be politician $50
days out of the year?
what are the stakes at issue? Let me
name three only. First. the sure perpet-
uation of a national government founded
on a peoples right to rule-the greatest
experiment in all history. Second, the
sure perpetuation Of national govern
ment that is a harbor of refuge for all
who are caught in the maelstroms OF hu-
man hate, degradation and fear. Third
tho sure perpetuation of national gov
arnment whose work shall be to teach all
the world that peace on eartn' gooo VIII
to man, is the ideal Of the ages.
What stakes! what Aoeai'' "S
mountain-heights of vision! And all to
be put In jeopardy. all to be endangered
because men Of God neglect their civic
duties.
1--WE need in politics today the educated
Christian patriot: the man who Will dare
to speak out his convictions; the man
who will dare to speak out for the right
as God gives him to see the right; the
man who isn't afraid to fight. We need
in public Office today educated Christian
patriots; men who having sworn to an
oath will overturn heaven and hell to
keep to it: men who will lead the public
thinking. shape public opinion, stand on
Gods truth. and in thousand ways
preach Righteousness to the world from
tho vantage ground Of public trust"
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