In selecting men for office, let principle be your guide. Regard not the particular sect or denomination of the candidate--look to his character...It is alleged by men of loose principles, or defective views of the subject, that religion and morality are not necessary or important qualifications for political stations. But the Scriptures teach a different doctrine. They direct that rulers should be men who rule in the fear of God, able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness. . .

When a citizen gives his vote to a man of known immorality, he abuses his civic responsibility; he sacrifices not only his own interest, but that of his neighbor; he betrays the interest of his country. --NOAH WEBSTER

Citizenship in a free country is a blessing from God. Our great system of self-government assures every Christian a voice in the affairs of the nation, and enables us to bring a heavenly perspective to the earthly realm. God wants us to do His will in government, just as in the church and in the home.

But too often we have disobeyed our Lord. We have ceased to be the "salt of the earth" and the "light of the world," as Christ has commanded us. As a result, the moral fiber of America is rotting away--and our priceless freedom is in grave jeopardy. Atheism is penetrating every area of our national life. America is faced with the greatest crisis in its history. We are in danger of losing our nation by default, and with it our individual freedoms and possibly our very lives.

If that should happen, our opportunity to help fulfill the Great Commission throughout the United States and the world will also be lost. And hundreds of millions will never have an opportunity to receive our Savior.

British statesman Edmund Burke said, "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." America is one of the last strongholds of freedom on earth--and citizens who are dedicated to God are the only resource for the preservation of our freedoms, including the freedom to serve Him.

It has been reliably estimated that more than half of the people of the United States profess faith in Jesus Christ. By following the simple guidelines contained in this booklet, even a small percentage of us can be used by God to set this nation on a new course of righteousness for His glory.

Charles Finney, who helped introduce half a million Americans to Christ, wrote in 1835:

"The time has come that Christians must vote for honest men and take consistent ground in politics, or the Lord will curse them... God cannot sustain this free and blessed country, which we love and pray for, unless the Church will take right ground. Politics are a part of religion in such a country as this, and Christians must do their duty to the country as a part of their duty to God... God will bless or curse this nation according to the course Christians take in politics."