South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-03-25
PRESIDENT SEES
U.S.. FEAR OF GOD
LAX.
Gives Religious Views in Bible
Class Address Would Pray
for Nation.
MENACE TO VERY LIBERT
Executive Declares Moral Lax
ity, Shifting Standards Threat
en- Life of Country.

WASHINGTON March 24.ISA
church can render no higher service
at this time than to put forth its
utmost influence in behalf of Frank
and willing obedience to the law of
the land" Pres't. Harding declared
Friday night in an address before
the Bible class of Calvary Baptist
church. No newspaper correspond
ents were admitted to the church
but the presidents address was
made public from the white house
Without giving too much weight
TO alarmist expressions, the presi-
dent said. I'VE must nevertheless
recognize that there is a very ap-
parent tendency to a lighter and
more frivolous view Of the citizens
relations to both the state and the
church If people who are known
as leaders, he added. become known
need not be astonished if their eX-
ample is followed by others
Flags Loose Talk" of Today.
At another point Mr. Harding dis
cussed the loose talk nowadays
about the cause of the spiritual de-
moralization of the community" and
declared that it could not be laid
entirely to the war but TO a ten
dency before that period toward a
certain moral laxity, a shifting Of
standards weakening of the
sterner fbers"
In his experiences OF a year in
the white house, he said there has
come to me no other such unwel-
come impression as the manifest re-
ligioUs intolerance which exists
among many of our citizens"
4 hold it to be a menace 10 the
very liberties we boast and cherish, -
he asserted.
Declaring his belief in the part
which religious reverance has
played in American achievement.
the president added:
"If were to utter a prayer for
this republic tonight. 1T would be
to reconsecrate US in religious de
votion and make US abidhngly a
God-fearing GOd-loving people"
There is no relationship here be-
tween church and state the presi-
dent said. Religious liberty has its
unalterable place. along with civil
and human liberty, in the very foun-
dation Of the republic. Therein is
shown the far seeing vision Of the
immortal founders and we are a
better people and a better republic
because there is that freedom.
II fear it is forgotten sometimes.
In the experiences of a year in the
presidency there has come to me no
other such UnwelcOme impression
as the manifest religious intolerance
which exists among many of our
citizens. l hold il 20 be a menace
to the very liberties we boast and
cherish
God Fearing Nations Prosper.
In spite Of our complete divorce
ment of church and state. quite in
harmony with our religious free
dom, there is an important relation
ship between church and nation be-
cause no nation can prosper, no ma
ton can survive if il ever forgets
Almighty God. I have believed that
religious reverence has played a
very influential and helpful part in
the mstchless American achieve
ment and I wish it ever to abide
If I were to utter a prayer for the
republic tonight, il would be to re-
consecrste US in religious devotion
and make US abidingly a God-fear-
ing, God-loving people.
'I do not fail to recall that the
religious life makes for the simple
life and it would be like divine
benediction TO restore the simpler
life in this republic.
There is a good deal Of loose talk
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