Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1856-11-28
Patriotism of the Bible.

The Christian who does for his coun-
try all that the Bible requires him to do,
will be the very highest style of patriot.
His religion requires him to love all men,
even including his enemies, and to do
good to all men as he has opportunity -
He is commanded to love his country,
but he is not permitted to hate other
countries. and to tear them down that he
may build his own up. He should love
his whole country, and not simply the
particular portion of it in which he re-
sides.
The patriotism of the Bible is wholly
opposed to sectionalism or the feeling
which seeks TO aggrandize one particular
section of the country at the expense of
the other 1t was remarked of other
nations that their interests never clash
with each other, though there may at
times appear to be conflict. The same
remark may be made touching the inter-
ests of different sections of one great
country like ours. There may, at times,
seem TO be conflict between the interest
of the North and the South, and the
East and the West, but it is really not
so. If one member of the body polite
suffers, all the members of the body will
sooner or later feel the effects of it,
That interest of any section which is
promoted by the injury Of another sec
ton, is only temporary one. The
prosperity promoted in such way viii
eventually be seen to be not a lasting
prosperity, just as no man can be per-
manently prospered by the ruin Of his
neighbors He may appear for season
to prosper, but in the end their injury
will be reflected back upon himself
1t is impossible, therefore, in the very
nature of the case, that Christian pa
triotism can be sectional. 1t seeks to
promote the interests of the whole coun-
try, because by so doing it best promotes
the welfare Of every part Of it. 1t seeks
no advantage for its SECTION at the ex-
pense of others. Mason and Dixons
line Is not the boundary of its affections.
IF it breathes in the bosom of man
South of that line, it makes him rejoice
in the prosperity Of those Of his fellow
citizens whose lots are cast North Of it, |
as much as it does the prosperity of his .
own section. If it is found in a North
ern bosom, it is equally as. expansive. ~
IL embraces the South as well as the
North in the arms of its love. The
Christian patriot ought to ask himself
the question would 1 regard the
measure or policy which now advocate
we're in the place Of my felIow-citizen
in another section? What influence will
ny favorite measures or men have upon
he whole country, and not simply upon
he part of it in which ] reside 2" lie (
bould expand his mind, and take en-
arged views Of the subject. There is
lothing narrow or contracted about /
Those professors of il who I
ave contracted views or feelings have
hem in spite Of their religion, and not
y virtue Of il. If the enlarged pa
riotism inculcated In the Bible, could I
My become thoroughly predominant /
nee more in the heat Of Christian men
the North and at the South, If they |
ould be brought to lay aside reference
, their particular sections, and would all [
,ok at the greatest good Of the whole
ountry, the strife which is now raging
18th such violence would soon cease. II ,
nc North would do TO the South, and
outh do to the North, just what they 4
'ould have each other do 20 them, we're :
,cir circumstances reversed. all couten-
on would soon cease, and peace and