The wealth and peace of a people the patriot's aim.
It is a fine description of the aim of Mordecai's public life with which this book closes. What more could be said of the patriotic statesman in any kingdom than this: that he was ever found "seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed"?
I. WEALTH. Under this we include not simply riches, but welfare in every sense: prosperity, security, progress, happiness—all that can truly enrich and bless a nation. Patriotism, observe, has regard to the people. It is no special class or interest that the true patriot seeks to benefit, but all his countrymen. Now, whilst this virtue does not take so wide a range as philanthropy, it is, like philanthropy, opposed to self-seeking. It is an expansive, liberal, generous, and withal practical attitude of mind. And this end is sought by personal effort, by the exercise of wisdom in the choice of means, and by diligence in their use.
II. PEACE. Under this must be included peace of heart, such as arises from a sense of justice and security of government; social peace, such as prevails where neighbours dwell in amity; political peace, or freedom from civil broils and tumults; general peace, or concord between different races and nations; universal peace, such as is destined, according to prophetic declarations, to pervade the whole earth. All these will be dear to the patriot's heart, and he will use every endeavour to bring about these high and noble ends. Causes of disaffection and disunion and discord he will seek to remove, and he will do all that lies within his power to bring on the reign of righteousness, of liberty, of happiness, of concord. And in his endeavours the Christian patriot will be animated by the love and grace of the Divine Son of man, whose mission it was to bring "peace and good-will to men."