The Political Duties of Christian Men and Ministers

REV. J. S. SMART

In the following sermon, Rev. James Smart (1822–1894) encouraged all men, not just politicians or government workers, to get involved in politics. It is our collective duty, he said, to participate in the state. If men don’t represent and protect their interests, they will be sure to lose them.

295

I am aware that there are those who will be ready, to greet me this evening, with questions like these:—

“Why do you not attend to your own business?” “Why do you meddle with matters that do not concern you?” “Do you intend to mix up politics with religion?” No, I do not intend exactly to mix up politics with religion; but I should like to mix a little more religion with politics, if I could. I humbly conceive that this would be a decided improvement upon the present state of things.

It ought to be understood that the religion of Jesus Christ, which embraces “whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, and whatsoever things are of good report;” that is, all virtue is the very life-blood of our body politic. It vitalizes and gives efficiency to all our good and wholesome laws; and just in proportion as we banish this religion from our politics, we bleed; we weaken our government.

There can be no government, or nothing worthy of the name, where there is no religion. The truth of this remark is sufficiently attested in the history of infidel France. Indeed, when we consider religion as the embodiment of all virtue, this truth is self-evident.

What is the value of a well-worded law if there be not virtue enough in the community to enforce it? It is not worth the paper upon which it is written. Banish the vitalizing element of religion—that is, all truth, and honesty, and justice, and purity, and love—from any political system, and how long would it exist? Not an hour. But this would simply be banishing religion from politics. Is not the thing absurd? And is not the man who attempts to put asunder what God hath so evidently joined together, an enemy to all good government? I think so. I would not speak thus harshly of any man; but justice demands it.

And now, I would humbly submit the question in reference to our modern politicians: Would it do them any harm to have a little more religion?—a little more of the fear of God before their eyes, and a little less unholy ambition and selfishness?—a little more zeal for right, and a little less for party interest, and party favors? This certainly would do no harm, and in my opinion would mend matters mightily. Then let us not be afraid, my brethren, to mix a little more religion with politics. Let us treat politicians as we are willing to be treated, and as we treat other men. Let us earnestly exhort and entreat them to respect the law of God; and let us try their actions by that law, as revealed in His holy word. And, as in the presence of Jehovah, let us solemnly “protest” against all their wrong doings. Let not their profession as politicians screen them. No man’s profession should screen him from the rebukes of the divine law . . .

Let us not shrink from the performance of our duty, because it is an unpleasant task. But we are asked why we meddle with matters which do not concern us. What matters do not concern us? Does not the manner in which the government of the United States is administered, concern us? Indeed it does. I claim that we have, and ought to have, just as much concern in the government of this country, as any other men. This is our right. If any man disputes it, let him show wherein we have forfeited the rights and responsibilities of American citizens. We love our country, and therefore we are deeply concerned in the character of the men chosen to rule over us, for we know, “When the righteous are in authority the people rejoice; but when the wicked bear rule the people mourn.” The honor of our country is dear to us, and we know that “Righteousness exalteth a nation, and that sin is a reproach to any people.” We are profoundly interested in the prosperity and permanency of this government, and all her virtuous institutions; but we know that any government, and especially a Republic, must stand on virtue, if it stands at all . . .

I remark, in conclusion, that all these political brambles put forth poisonous blossoms, in the form of anti-Christian, anti-temperance, pro-slavery newspapers; and these blossoms, being plucked, will, like the seeds of Canada thistles, fly upon the wines of the wind, and so infectious is their poison, that wherever they fall, if they do not produce nausea, they will infallibly bring forth moral disease. Now, the only sure way to avoid this moral disease, which these blossoms are calculated to produce, is to leave them unplucked to wither upon the branches which bear them. In plain words I mean to say, that it is every Christian man’s duty every good citizen’s duty, to discountenance a vicious political press;—that it is wrong to encourage, or in any way support or patronize, those papers whose columns are continually filled with low bar-room slang, and whose editors feel themselves at liberty even to attack the private characters of our worthiest citizens, and that, too, in utter disregard of truth, and often in the most scurrilous manner imputing to them words which they never uttered, and sentiments which they never held. Such papers certainly are not fit to be received into Christian families, and read by our children, and I wonder how Christian men can conscientiously subscribe for them, or advertise in them, or in any way countenance or support them. It is our duty to let these bramble blossoms wither upon the branches which bear them. This will not only render the blossoms harmless, but will cause the brambles themselves to wither, and then you will the more easily pluck them up by the roots, and plant the cedars of Lebanon, that is, intellectually tall and morally upright men in their stead—strong men—firm men—honest, uncompromising men, rooted and grounded in their principles, men fitted to be pillars in our political temple, and patterns of virtue to the world. God grant that such men may be promoted to rule over us, and that all political brambles may be plucked up by the roots, that the existence and honor of this republic may be immortal.—Amen.