Part 8 (2/2)

He loves his land; his own country is dearer to him than any other on earth. He is ready to defend it even with his life. The words of Sir Walter Scott, as of many another poet, express this patriotic feeling:

Breathes there the man with soul so dead, Who never to himself hath said, This is my own, my native land, Whose heart hath ne'er within him burned, As home his footsteps he hath turned, From wandering on a foreign strand.

Many have died for their country's sake, and in all ages this has been thought a specially n.o.ble death. History records with affection the names of such men as Wallace, Bruce, William Tell, and Garibaldi, who sacrificed very much for the land they loved. And as ”peace has its victories no less renowned than those of war,” it has been the pride of others to serve their country by guarding its liberties, increasing its happiness, diminis.h.i.+ng its evils, reforming its laws. The _flag_ of a country is the symbol, to those who belong to it, of their common inheritance. Brave men will follow it through the shot and sh.e.l.l of battle. Men have wrapt it round their b.r.e.a.s.t.s, and have dyed its folds with their heart's blood to save it from the hands of the enemy; and wherever it waves it calls forth feelings of loyalty and allegiance.

2. Another primary duty of citizens.h.i.+p is obedience to the law. Here again we have the rule of the family extended to the state. The child is bound to obey his parents unless they bid him do what his conscience clearly tells him is wrong; so, a good citizen will obey the laws of his country, unless these laws are so evidently unjust that the good of all demands that they should be resisted. Whatever the law is, he will endeavor to respect and obey it. If he believes it to be an unjust or unrighteous law, he will do his best to get it amended or abolished.

It is only in an extreme case, though this opens a subject on which we cannot enter, that he can be justified in refusing obedience. ”Let every soul,” says Scripture, ”be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of G.o.d: the powers that be are ordained of G.o.d.

Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of G.o.d; and they that resist shall receive to themselves condemnation.

For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. . . .

Wherefore, ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.”

3. It is a duty of citizens.h.i.+p to see that the laws are reasonable and just. In a family, the grown-up members will use their legitimate influence to promote the wise regulation of the household, that there may be peace and harmony. The same desire will animate the members of the state. (_a_) This is specially inc.u.mbent upon those who, like ourselves, live under const.i.tutional government. With us, government is not the prerogative of the Crown, or of a few families; or of men of rank or wealth. It is not _despotic_, or _aristocratic_, or _plutocratic_, but _democratic_--that is to say, it is in the hands of the people, or of those of the people to whom it has been entrusted, and who form a large proportion of the male inhabitants of the country; on them devolves the making of the laws by which the country is governed. They are bound to do their best to see that these laws are what they should be--equitable and righteous, and for the interest of the whole community. (_b_) This they can only do through their representatives. We could conceive of a state so small that each of its members could take a direct part in its government. That is not the case with us, and the people can only exercise their control through those they authorise to represent them. These they elect, and in electing them are bound to see that they are men who are worthy of the trust committed to them, who will make laws good for every cla.s.s.

This applies not only to the election of members of Parliament, but wherever the representative principle is carried out, as in the case of councils, school boards, and other forms of local government. Wherever a man exercises the privilege of choosing a representative, he is bound to do so conscientiously, and with an earnest desire to perform what is right. It is a maxim in law that what we do by another we do ourselves. We are responsible for those whom we choose to make our laws, and if we help to choose unworthy men we cannot be held blameless of the consequences that may follow. (_c_) As it is our duty to exercise this privilege of citizens.h.i.+p rightly, we are also bound not to refrain from exercising it. We hear people say sometimes that they have nothing to do with politics. But by keeping altogether aloof they cannot rid themselves of their responsibility. By abstaining they may do almost as much to further the views they disapprove of as by taking an active part in promoting them. If there are evils in connection with government, the best way to get rid of them is for good men to take a part in public life, and try to bring about a better state of things. In a free country no man can shake off his obligations by refraining from taking part in public affairs. The talent that is entrusted to us we are bound to use for the glory of G.o.d and the good of man. Our political power, however small, is such a talent, and we are responsible for its proper employment.

4. It is a duty of citizens.h.i.+p to take direct part in all that we believe is for the good of the state. We say a direct part, as distinguished from the indirect part we take in government through representatives. A man's duty as citizen does not end with the ballot-box, or with the election of members either to the national or local council. A great part of the business of the nation is carried on by the voluntary efforts of its members. There are men and women that have no part in representative government, who yet can discharge n.o.bly the duties of citizens.h.i.+p. (_a_) All can take a part in forming a healthy public opinion. This is done in all free countries in various ways: through the press, through public meetings, and by means of the speech and communications of everyday life. If our views are those of a minority, we may help, by our influence, our example, the fearless expression of our convictions, to turn the minority into a majority; and in a democratic country the views of the majority will ultimately prevail. (_b_) We can also take direct part in promoting objects that tend to the well-being of society. Much is left by the state to voluntary effort by its members. The state undertakes the defence of the country by the army and navy, the relief of the poor, and the elementary education of the people; but beyond these and other instances of direct state action there is much left to be done by the people themselves, and for themselves. The Volunteer movement, in which men take part of their own free will, and which has been of so much benefit to the country; the erection and support of hospitals, libraries, art galleries, colleges and universities; the furnis.h.i.+ng of the people with amus.e.m.e.nt and recreation--are ill.u.s.trations of what may be done by members of the community directly. All such efforts tend to the welfare of the state. All its members reap benefit from them. He who does not help and encourage them is as mean as the man who would go to an hotel and take its entertainment, and then sneak away without paying the reckoning. Whatever we can do to benefit society benefits ourselves, and in throwing ourselves heart and soul into any of those enterprises that benefit society we are discharging in a very special way the duties of good citizens.h.i.+p.

It only remains to say in a word that our citizens.h.i.+p should be the outcome of our religion. Without that, citizens.h.i.+p loses its high position. He who fears G.o.d will honor the king, and he who ”renders to G.o.d the things that are G.o.d's” will ”render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's.” He will give ”to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.” Religion thus becomes the strength of the state, and ”righteousness exalteth a nation.”

LIST OF WORKS.

The following is a list of works upon topics treated in this text-book, which have been consulted in its preparation, and which may be useful to students:

_Self-Culture_, by John Stuart Blackie. Edinburgh: David Douglas.

Twentieth edition. 1892.

_Plain Living and High Thinking, or Practical Self-Culture--Moral, Mental and Physical_, by W. H. Davenport Adams. London: John Hogg, Paternoster Row. 1880.

_The Secret of Success_, by W. H. Davenport Adams. London: John Hogg, Paternoster Row. 1880.

_The Threshold of Life_, by W. H. Davenport Adams. T. Nelson & Sons, Paternoster Row. 1876.

_On the Threshold_, by Theodore T. Munger. London: Ward, Lock & Co.

1888.

_Beginning Life_, by John Tulloch, D.D. London: Chas. Burnet & Co.

1883.

_Life: a Book for Young Men_, by J. Cunninghame Geikie. London: Strahan & Co. 1870.

_The Gentle Life_, by J. Hain Friswell. London: Sampson Low & Marston.

1870.

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