The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-01-01

The apostle Peter is no less explicit:
"Submit yourselves to every ordinance Of
man for the Lords sake-whether il be to
the King, as supreme, or unto Governors.
as unto them that are sent by Him for the
punishment of evil doers, and for the
praise Of them that do well; for so is the
will Of God, that with well doing ye may
put to silence the ignorance Of foolish
ness; as free, and not using your liberty
for cloak of righteousness; but as the
servants OF God. Honor all men; love the
brotherhood; fear God, honor the King"
| This, too, is from man who, when the
rulers, instigated by the Pharisees, would
have stopped him from preaching the
Gospel-a matter in which the existing
laws were not compromitted-could and
did say, .'whether it be right to obey God
rather than man, judge ye." Now. be il
remembered, that these principles were
not laid down for particular age. The
very terms in which they are couched are
general, and apply to all time. They did
not have reference to Nero's reign alone,
but to government in general. The apos-
ties well knew that tyrant might sit upon
the throne one day, and the opposite the
next. Their principles regarded the par
amount importance of obedience to the
existing government, and the perpetuity of
law and order. The Roman code was,
with some exceptions, compilation, hav-
ing regard, theoretically at least, to hu-
man rights; and the subordinate magis-
tracy were bound to carry out its provis-
ions and enactments. In so doing, the
apostles, it seems, exhorted all Christians
to sustain them.
But there arises question whether, in
all cases, and under all circumstances,
the imperial laws were to be obeyed! Did
the apostles so enjoin9 Suppose that
Christians had been called upon 10 wor-
ship Jupiter or some Of the other gods of
Greece or Rome, as we know they were.
under some Of the emperors. How, then,
should they act! In answer to this, it is
enough to say that, for the maintenance Of
his faith, Paul was thrown to the lions Of
the amphitheatre, and that for the same
reason Peter was crucifed with his head
downwards. i
TO the law Of obedience. then. there
were some EXCEPTIONS. but &ill be seen
that these exceptions weres esv6 clear ex-
ceptions. There could moi b6 thee least
question as to the Obligation cf worship
ing God instead OF idols The moment
that law or authority in1eSposed on that
point, the. apostles were ready to-die.
Had the enactment touche anysrelaton
which man sustains TO society xevsn though
it might involve temporary sdfefing, or
peradventure an amount Of persons, in
justice, such was their reverence 6khu-
man government, and so deep their Sense
of the Importance Of sustaining it, that,
in my opinion, they would have yielded,
and have exhorted their Christian breth-
rem to yield, even to its unjust claims.
But when an authority is put forth which
compels the practice ofidolatry, they calm
ly prefer the martyrs death to obedience.
But where the case is not so clear, as
where civil rights are invaded, but the sal
vation of the soul is not compromised,
how then is the obligation to government
to be regarded! 1t may be said, | am
aware, that conscience acts with some
force, though confessedly not so great, on
points involving less guilt than idolatry.
And the question is put, shall Christian
violate the least scruple2 This, acknowl-
edge, is nice point, and to satisfy the
querist is not perhaps very easy matter.
! have great respect for the power of con-
science. am disposed TO look charitably
on even perverted conscience. But ev-
cry man is bound to take every means
within his reach to enlighten his judgment
in regard to duty, that, in given crisis,
he may know how to act not only con-
scientously but rightly. This cannot be
done by listening to this and that declaim-
er on human rights. but by careful study
Of the word Of God 9.e!.a
Not many days since was called upon
by a respectable individual, who put this
question to me, as minister of the Cos
pei and a casuist =" Would it be right
for me-" said he, shaving the offer of an
office under Government, to accept it,
and take the oath, when my conscience
will not allow me TO carry out certain
provision in the Constitution?" unhesi-
tahngly said, "No; you would periure
yourself by taking that oath, if YOU did
MOI 1{epd to fulfil all that the oath i'm
pie *But | will vary the question:"
says he, suppose that, as private citi-
zen, am called upon to aid the magis-
|trate in enforcing law which, as view
it, is unjust; how then would you advise
me to actl" My reply was substantially
as follows: "If the enactment in question
does not compromit your salvation, you
are bound to sustain the laws as they ex-
list. The precepts Of the New Testament
and the practice of the apostles seem to
me to settle this point. The evil Of resist
ance would, in my view, far outweigh that
Of compliance, even on the ground as
sumed that the particular provision is un-
Just. In this case the resistance, il active,
however conscientious, would berebellion,
and if organized, as where many are con-