Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-05-23

| THE SoLENN1TY OF AN OATH.-The most potent
engine of the demagogues who herd together in sec
ret conspiracy, at least over weak minds, is the i'm
| pressve obligation of an oath. But there two
kinds of oath: There is the oath sacred, taken in
| the eye of God, for just purpose-the oath that
Blackstone calls illegal oath - there is again, the
false oath-the oath taken to betray ones country
the oath of an Arnold or Catiline. The great
weapon of the latter the hideous and shameless
oath he enforced upon his confederates. Robbers
take oaths for their mutual projections Blu There is
no law, human divine that censure the viola
ton of these oaths. The crime is in taking them.
To take oath to 6etray friend is in the high
est sense OF the oeorld, MORAL PERJURY How such
oath outweigh sacred obligation recognised as
sacred by the law? A secret OATH for personal, or
party corrupt purposes cannot sever the tie that
commands us to be faithful to God our country to
the TRUTH to our family, our friends To attempt
this is to contemplate perjury.
Says Blackstone
'The crime of wilful and corrupt perjury is defined
by Sir Edward Coke to be crime committed achen
laacful oath IS administered en- some judicial pro-
ceeing, to person acho spears acifsy, absolutely,
and falsely, IN matter material to the issue point
in question:"
We leave it to conscientious to say how far
oath, sworn in the sight of the living God but in
midnight conclave to make religious difference,
the nativity of neghbor friend, of perse-
cution can be maintained without moral perjuru 1t
is simply choice Of obligatons-whether we will
abide by the obligations recognised binding and
as just, or whether we will annul these by accepting
Sacred history tells of one of the most cherish
ed disciples of our Saviour who denied his Master
three times We ask the attention of those who
believe in the system of secret betrayals to this in
structive passage:
HIATT. SO. ''Now Peter sat without in the palace;
and damsel came unto him, saying; Thou also
vert with Jesus of Gallilee.
''7O. But he denied before them all saving: l
KNOW NOT WHAT THOU SAFEST.
al. And when he was gone out into the porch
another maid saw him, and said unto them that
were there: This fellow also with Jesus of
Nazareth.
''72. Ind again he denied acih an oath, DO NOT
MAN.
s73. And after awhile came unto him they that
stood by, and said to Peter Surely thou also
of them for thy speech betrayeth thee.
1913 Then began he to curse and to saoear, saying
KNOW NOT the man."
The commentator upon this impressive passage
in Scripture speaks of Peters conduct $50 amply
atoned Immediately afterwards} in the follwing
"Peter denies his Master soith oaths and curses
There is nothing important for to learn than
our own weakness Who that saw Peter Wanting
but the day before--though all men foresake Thee,
yet will not F-could have supposed that in so short
time he could haze forgotten at least haze broken
all has PROMISES" Here, it will be seen, is the higher
obligation set against mere worldly ''oath +
What! an apostle prevaricate and lie YEA and curse
and swear THAT HE KNEW NOT THE MAN TO WHOM He HAD
PROGRESSED STRONG AN ATTACHMENT; for whom, in
fact, he had fought, and nearly committed murder?
damsel confused and terrified Peter and the fear of
being taken for of the followers of Jesus led him
to preUarication, lying, and perjury"
Now, although Peter had taken no solemn oath to
support his great Master, yet he owed an obligation
which he could not it seems violate without being
accused of perjury. This recalls to the point that
there obligation due to the State and to friend
ship, and to good morals, Impressed upon all men,,
which cannot be set aside by anyworldly obligation,
and least of all by midnight oath wrung from the
fears and the preudices of men, without staining
those who resort to this oath with the guilt of moral
perjury. To betray benefactor as Peter did-to
betray with kiss Judas did-to prosecute neigh
Dor after professions of kindness-all these belong
the science which plots in secret and strikes down
the wisest and the brightest without notice char
ity.
But Peter repeated his false oath-repented it in
tears and in sorrow. Henever denied his Master
after that. He never allowed his fears to mislead
him. Stood fast to his holy friendship. He scorned
the secret oath and the midnight cabal. Hebecame
light and leader, and manifested his faith in the
midst of dangers and doubts He never afterwards
said. :" knoao not the man."
Let those who have taken the oaths at the present
day which defy the law, and instgate prosecution,
and encourage hypocrisy, and finally lead toperjury
let them remember that no obligation can be bind
ing which is in itself an isult to God and a wrong to
man. Wash. Union.