Evening star., 1922-03-25

ligious life makes for the simple life.
and it would be like a divine bene-
diction to restore the simpler life In
this republic
There is a good deal Of loose talk
nowadays about the cause of the spir-
nifty. which it has become popular to
attribute to the abnormal conditions
that were incident to the war. But,
in fact, the war is not wholly to
blame. Before the war started or was
dreamed of we were already realizing
laxity, a shifting of standards,
weakening of the sterner fibers. l
think we should do we'll to recognize
that these tendencies are not q mere
momentary incident, but a serious
phase in the intellectual and moral
evolution of the community: IL would
be a grievous error to allow ourselves
to feel too confident that this Is only
4 temporary and passing aspect.
Take, for example, the matter of
regard for the law. Without giving
too much weight to alarmist express
sions. we must nevertheless recog--
nize that there is very apparent
tendency to lighter and more friv-
olous view of the citizens relation
to both the state and the church. We
can hardly hope for q restoration of
the old ideals in religion and in moral
conduct. SO lcng as this tendency to
disregard for the law shall continue.
1t is absolutely essential to the MAIN
tenance of a secure society and to the
attainment of proper moral plane
that the law should be recognized us
sacred and supreme. 1t should have
at Its back and enlisted IN it's sup
port every element Of the community
that realizes the desirability of sound,
secure and stable institutions. Dis
regard of one statute inevitably must
breed a lack of respect for the law
in general. This tendency Is obvious,
and ought to give the deepest con-
Germ to people who have seen, in this
flow from the breakdown Of respect
for the social fundamentals.
Masses Follow Example.
"whatever breeds disrespect for the
law Of the land, in any particular de-
partment of our community relations.
Is a force tending to the general
breakdown of the social organization.
If people who are known as leaders.
as directing influences. as thoroughly
respected and respectable members Of
munities become known for their de-
fiance of some part Of the code of
law, then they need not be astonished
IL presently they find that their ex-
ample is followed by others. with the
result that presently the law in gen
of irksome and unreasonable re-
straints upon the liberty of the in
dividual. Every law involves more or
less Of this element of restraint. Near
ly every individual will find some
part of the code that to him seems an
sonal freedom of action. Our only
safety will be in inculcatinE an .atti-
tude Of respect for the law as the
whole, the best expression that has
been given to the social aspiration
and moral purpose OF the community.
Unless we can accomplish this. in
the domain of citizenship, and there
by sustain enforcement. we may well
feel that the outlook is not encour-
aging for the achievement Of those
loftier spiritual purposes to which
the church is devoted. Therefore I
the church. in a time like this, may
render, than to put forth its utmost
influence in behalf of frank and will
ing obedience to the law Of the land.
Therein I think will be found the
largest contribution toward guaranty
promising assurance of ultimate
realization of the highest aspirations
OF the church in behalf Of all human
ity;
Nations have left their lessons IN
the pages of history. This republic
is yet youthful enough to learn from
the study of these lessons. The fall
ures of the past invariably have been
preceded by contempt for the law. by
spiritual paralysis and moral loose
| ness. all of which had their earlier
reflex in the weakened influence Of
the church. We know the helpful,
exalting influence of our religious
institutions. No one dares to dis
pute. We shall be made stronger
as they become stronger, and we
| shall ever find greater pride and
greater security in the nation which
| righteousness exalteth-"