The Ballot and Christian Reform
HERE is a thought that should be kept before those who think to bring about a return to early Christian practices by means of the ballot. They themselves acknowledge that nobody can be made Christian by law. The only thing they want is, they say, that the people may all become Christian. Very good; but if they get that, there will be no need of voting in reforms, for all Christians will live them. When, then, does the ballot come in? Oh, in hastening along the time, by forcing people to act in a Christian-like manner, until they finally come to act so of their own accord. And thus it appears that, after all, the appeal to the ballot to bring about desired reforms grows out of the idea that men can be made Christian by law. And just to the extent that any such idea obtains, will men ignore the only true means of effecting reform, namely, the preaching of the word of God, accompanied by the power of the Holy Spirit.