e 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 citizenship 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 incumbent upon those who, like
ourselves, live under constitutional 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 class.
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 citizenship 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 the