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

said upon this subject. Generally, w
lmust admit, that its tenor is wholly on tht
side Of implicit obedience to the existing
government. The government there spo
ken Of, it is true, differed widely from oul
own; and by some it may be said-indeet
it has often been said, that it were unrea
sonable and unfair TO argue that a like
implicit obedience is due from us to the
Government under which zoe live It is
maintained, that as the apostles had in
view only the propagation Of new reli
gion, il would but have embarrassed theil
object by opposing the existing govern
ment; an opposition which would be in
every case unayailing and to themselves
personally destructive. maa Il
Plausible as this view may seem, yet il
does not satisfy me. 1t seems to me thai
we can find in the New Testament a rule
of obedience, and principle of obedi.
ence, laid down by the apostles, and by
themselves practiced, which. may serve
and was intended to serve, as guide to
christians in all ages. | dot not and can
not believe that declarations touching the
\ duty of obedience to rulers and magis.
trates in the New Testament were made
simply under the coercive power of me-
cessity. How would such supposition
bear on the integrity of the apostles!
Would they rebel against Cesar if they
dared-if they had any hopes Of success
ful resistance2 Is that the ideal cannot
allow upon the memory of those holy wit
nesses for the truth such calumny as this.
But let us first take up the example Of
our Lord. His kingdom, it is true, was
not of this world. He did not come as
the revolutionizer or reformer of govern
ments; but as the regenerator of fallen
humanity. Still he was citizen under
the great Roman rule; and He discharged,
we know, the duties of citizenship. Is
He not in this respect, as well as in a
higher sphere, our example2 He had ev-
cry opportunity; and, with our belief Of
His power and prerogatives, He had tine
right to question the authority, especially
the unjust authority of rulers. The people,
in mighty masses, urged Him to put him.
self above the existing authority. But no;
not a rule Of the existing government
would He violate. Nay, so scrupulous
was He. that on a certain occasion He
preferred paying the tribute, by working a
miracle to provide the means, though at
the very time denying their right to enforce
it, When,s to seduce Him into the utter
ance of some reasonable expression, the
Pharisees brought Him the tribute money,
and inquired, if in His view it could law.
fully be exacted from Gods people by a
heathen rule-what was His replyl "Ren.
der unto Caesar the things that are
Caesars" He promptly asserts the right
Of Caesar to levy this tribute, and He him.
self is ready to comply with it.
If, from the example Of the great Mas
ter, we pass on to the practice and pre-.
cepts of the apostles, we shalffind prop
er discrimination observed on the subject
of civil duties and obligations. Their
example is the more applicable and in
structive, because they came into more
direct and frequent contact with the laws
and magistracy Our Saviour confined
his labors mostly TO Judea as centre,
extending them not beyond what might
strictly be called the Jewish territory. But
the apostles went everywhere, even to
Rome and Corinth, preaching the Word.
What, therefore, they did and said on this
subject, and the principles which they
laid down 70 Christian churches estab.
lished throughout the Roman Empire,
must afford US light in relation to our own
civil obligations. They certainly seemed
to have very great respect, if not abso-
lutte reverence, for the civil jurisdiction.
They placed it among the ordinances Of
God, and regarded even the heather ma
gistrate, in the exercise of his official du-
ties, as .'the minister Of God" They de.
clared that resistance to him was resist.
ance to God. So explicit and unreserved
are they on this point, that some might
indeed, l know not but some even do
charge them with a species of ultraism.
In writing to Rome, the very seat OF
power--where tyrant the most cruel and
capricious sat senthroned, st. Paul thus
says to the church there established "Let
every soul be subject unto the higher pow
ers; for there is no power but Of God.
The powers that be are ordained Of God.
Whoever, therefore, resisteth the power,
resisteth ths ordinance of God; and they
that resist shall receive to themselves dam
nation. For rulers are not terror to
good works, but to evil. Wilt thou not be
afraid Of the power, do that which is good,
and thou shalt have praise of the same.
For he is the minister of God to thee for
good. But if thou do that which is evil,
be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in
vain. For he is the minister Of Cod
ayenger to execute wrath. upon him that
doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be
subject not only for wrath, Gearing the
penalty but for conscience sake, is from
. sense Of christian duty, Render, there
fore, to all their dues; tribute to- whom
tribute is due--custom to whom CUSTOM
honor to whom honor" ,sslo sne B .
This is from man, in whose breast
tha faar of tvranfa had no Mace: and who