Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1852-02-28
For the Polyneslan.

Ma. EDIToR.-Whether Mr.. Wyle has finish
ed his argument on the negative of the question of
the moral right of cleymen to take an active part
in the political affairs of the Islands, cannot say,
but as he has argued it at some length ask per-
mission to speak, for all, on the affirmative of
the question. As the subject is one Of great i'm
portance, beg your indulgence, and on my part,
will study the utmost brevity consistent with the
magnitude of the question.
l. The argument drawn from the Savior's Com
mission to His Apostles, Mat. xviii, 49, 90 if
it applies at all to the subject in hand proves too
much for the use made of it by Mr.. Wyllie. 1t is
the ascending command of the Lord Jesus Christ
to His disciples to propagate the gospel through
out the whole world, and it has much wider ap-
plcation than Mr. w. gives it. Scott says,
"These words contain our Lords commission, to
the Apostles especially, but to his other ministers
certainly, and disciples also according to their
eral stations in the church to propagate His reli
gion among all nations" And in his commentary
on Mark xvi, I5, he says, 'these words imply a
command to all christians to aid according to their
several abilities and situations to proclaim his
salvation to all the kingdoms of the Earth" So
the passage quoted by Mr.. Wyllie in the same
connection applies to all christians s.If any man
will come after me-" And "whosoever doth not |
bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my
disciple" See Luke xiv &c. 81. All then who look
to the Lord Jesus Christ as the Author and finish
er of their faith are commissioned TO make known
His redeeming mercy to their fellow men every
where, according to their ability. I repeat there
fore, that if Mr.. Wyllie's argument from this COM
mission proves any thing, it proves too much,-I
would exclude all of Chriss disciples from politi
cal action,-would exclude all who bear the chris
tian name from being eligible to any office in the
gift of their fellow citizens.
2nd. But admitting for arguments sake, that /
the commission under consideration applies exclu-
sively to clergynen, what then? Are the terms /
of this instrument such as to forbid them engaging
iii the political affairs Of the governments under
which they live? Let US examine, .reaching d
them" the nations-eyery creature--s'to observe
al things whatsoever | have commanded you"
What then did the Savior command His Disciples
and what instructions did He communicate to those
who sought instruction from His lips While
He taught them to arender to Cesar the things
which are Cesar's, and to God the things which
Ire Gods" He adduced the fact that ssto the poor
the gospel preached" tone of the most distinct
We signs of His divine mission. It is this, !" s.-,s
In able writer in Tait's Magazine, asnc.e than
my thing else which constitutes tie gospel a
yreat fact-the greatest Of fscts- the philoso-
'hy of the rights of mar taken historicallv I
5 the most obvious external aspect Of the public
PREACHING OF Jesus. II was stirring up Of the 4
oui OF th- Hsorew commonalty into protest and
pr.sual revolt against vicious ecclesiastical gov