March 14

We know that all things work together for good to them that love God. Romans 8:28.

True Christians honor the magistrates and hold them in love and esteem. We honor them even in our public services by mentioning them in our general prayer every Sunday.

The Christians, furthermore, conform to the laws and never take part in a revolt. They also scrupulously pay the taxes imposed upon them and do their part as citizens to promote the general welfare of the State. They seek the peace of the nation. They spread the glad tidings of the Gospel of Christ, who is the Fountain of great blessings. Above all, they endeavor to bring up their children as pious, God-fearing men and women, who, whenever their country's call places them into public offices, will render a conscientious performance of their duties and an honest administration of public affairs. For is it not true that that State and that city is best provided for whose citizens are actuated by Christian principles? Government has in Christians the best support as regards true morality, for they are the very sap and marrow of all true moral influence. Moreover, by their good example, Christians prompt the children of this world to display more natural uprightness and faithfulness in the performance of those things which their government demands of them.

The Christians are indeed the cause of all divine blessings showered upon a nation. If they do what is right, they can bring about so much, that the nation throughout which they are, as it were, strewed as salt does not become corrupt or ruined. The Christians are the pillars of a nation. They are the props and foundation of the state. They are the dam which keeps back the water of divine wrath. Take, for example, the citizens of Sodom. God agreed not to destroy the place if ten righteous people were found in it. The large city of Nineveh was spared by God because its inhabitants repented upon hearing Jonah. Whenever, therefore, a nation has been severely punished on account of its sins, it was because it lacked true Christians who stayed the punishing hand of God.

Prayer.

Lord God, heavenly Father, we thank Thee that through the agency of parents and masters Thou dost even now, toward the evening of the world, maintain government, order, and peace on

earth, and we beseech Thee graciously to guide and govern these Thy representatives that they may walk in Thy ways and wisely and properly fulfil the duties incumbent upon them for the welfare of all citizens. Teach us to honor those in authority, Thy ministers to us for good, and enable us by Thy Holy Spirit to submit ourselves to every lawful ordinance of men for Thy sake. Amen.

The best gifts from on high In rich abundance pour That we may magnify And praise Thee more and more. O Lord, stretch forth Thy mighty hand And guard and bless our fatherland.