The Washington herald., 1916-07-03
PASTORS preach.
ON CITIZENSHIP
Cooperate With Department
Of Labor to Observe
the Day.

In Washington and throughout the
country, from the pulpits of churches Of
all denominations. the doctrine Of citizen
ship preparedness was proclaimed yes
terday. The clergy of the United States
adopted the appeal OF the Bureau of
Naturalization of the Department of
Labor that citizenship sermon be de-
livered yesterday morning, date Sc
lected because of its close proximity to
Independence Day, which means SO much
to all American citizens.
| The gospel Of good citizenship was enun-
ciated in cities and hamlets, to large and
prosperous congregations and small,
struggling bands of worshipers alike-a
universal proclamation from the pulpit
of the necessity of instilling American
ideals and patriotism in the minds of for
eign residents.
It is the desire OF the Bureau of Natu-
ralization that one Sunday in each year
be set aside as Citizenship Sunday, on
which will be preached at the morning
service in every church a sermon on
citizenship. This proposition has been
placed before the churches Of all de-
nominations. and the responses to this
feature of the bureaus activities have
been highly gratifying and indicative OF
the establishment of such a day as a
permanent institution.
| 1t was with a realization that the
churches could aid materially in for
warding the good citizenship movement
and inspire to immediate and aggressive
action communities which have not al
ready Joined this great educational move
ment. that the Bureau of Naturalization
made this appeal, and the results show
a pronounced success.
Rev. John H. Burke, pastor of Israel
Baptist Church, in his sermon, said:
"A man without home is unfortunate
indeed. In the home, father and mother,
sister and brother meet around one COM
mon abode. Their joys and sorrows.
their hopes and aspirations are mutual
Equally SO Is the man without a coun-
try-a citizen Of nowhere-no home, no
country. no flag. Good citizenship de-
notes a sacred mutual obligation. The
citizen owes his country love, loyalty,
respect and obedience"
Rev. John Compton Hall pastor of
Metropolitan Baptist Church, said:
ITO be a citizen OF the United States
is an honor to be desired. Truly we are
! citizens of no mean country whether we
consider the statement from the stand
point Of geographical location. natural
resources national achievement or. fu-
ture possibilities.
citizenship is obtained in one Of three
ways: Some are born citizens; some have
citizenship thrust upon them; some
aCnleVe clJZenshlp through naturalZa-
ton, but all citizens are. In the words of
a former United States Attorney Cen
eral, neither more nor less than mem
| bers of the nation"
Rev. Charles E. Fultz, D. D.. pastor Of
Memorial United Brethren Church. said
in his sermon:
History is not made without God His
hand is In 1t all. His DEGREES on nation
and State are just. in perfect justice. as
on each one OF its men.
! "A good citizen will love our country
with a true real love by contributing self,
completely to the sum OF collective
Righteousness. I can't respect the citizen
that sandwiches his eloquence with pro-
fanity-who insults the flag by draping
vice, crime and misery with her sacred
folds"