[When this talk is used in English lands, substitute Liberal and Conservative for the names of parties, and Member of Parliament for President.]
It will help the children to understand how the kingdom of heaven comes if you draw a parallel between that and a presidential election. How do men go to work to bring in the rule of their party? In the first place, if you are a member of a party, you are not ashamed of the name of the party, but you delight to call yourself, and to be called, a stanch Republican, or a loyal Democrat, or a zealous Populist, or a faithful Prohibitionist. In the same way the kingdom of heaven is to be brought in by people who are not ashamed to be known as followers of Christ, but who glory in it.
The presidency comes, too, through talking about the party candidates. The Republicans and Democrats are each proud of the men they are running for office, and cannot say too much in their praise. The kingdom of heaven also will be brought in by men who are all the time talking about the lord of that kingdom.
A party is also brought into power through pushing the measures advocated by that party. The Democrats get the presidency by arguing for free trade, and the Republicans by arguing for protection. After the same manner the kingdom of God will come on the earth through the zeal of Christ’s followers in urging upon men Christ’s commands and precepts.
No political party can endure very long unless its members try continually to get fresh members for the party, and so it is with the kingdom of heaven. Its coming will be hastened chiefly by those who are all the time seeking to get young and old, rich and poor, into the church.
A zealous Republican or Democrat is all the time thinking about the good of his party, preparing arguments for it, and seeking to demolish the arguments of its enemies. A Christian in the same way will study up points for Christianity, and will be able to show just why he believes in it and wants others to believe in it. That is one way of helping on the coming of Christ’s kingdom.
The votes that bring in Christ’s kingdom are very different from the votes that bring in a presidency. Christ’s votes are written on the hearts and lives of men, and every letter is a noble deed.
It is hard work to elect a president, and certainly the kingdom of God is not coming any easier. Indeed, as that kingdom is far more valuable and important than any earthly kingdom, we can be sure, boys and girls, that it will take hard work and constant thought and most heroic living to bring it to the earth. And yet there is not a boy or girl in all the world that cannot help bring in this kingdom, and help greatly, too, if he will simply do his best, and follow the commands of his great Leader.