Patriotism and Christianity.
Patriotism, as interpreted in these times, means loyalty to one's country and government, whether that government is right or wrong. It means that the nation's friends are his friends, the nation's enemies his enemies. Christianity means a love for all men, even our enemies. It means that for all men we will labor, unselfishly, disinterestedly, as their debtors, because they are the purchase of Him to whom we belong. It is a sad thing that men, even professed evangelical ministers, are coming to have so low a view of Christianity—the highest ideal of the Christian—as to make it identical with patriotism—the highest ideal of the pure worldling. Yet it is so. Said a noted New York Baptist preacher recently: "There can be no conflict between patriotism and Christianity. Patriotism is the spirit of sacrifice. Christianity is sacrifice. The man who denies the service of country in war as anti-Christian, does not know the meaning of Christianity. When country calls, it is a solemn honor to every honest soul. What talents have I? Every man is under obligations as deep as life and solemn as death, to give in answer to that call the very best of which his body and soul are capable." But, on the other side, among those whom his country called enemies, might stand Jesus Christ. Man's highest duty is to God. "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy mind."