The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1861-09-12
lFor The Nrtd
FREEDOM OF THE PULPIT.

Mn. EDIToR;-It ls objected By somd,
"that religion aud politics are independ-
ent Of each other, and for this reason
the minister Of religion ought TO OBJ
serve the law Of passive obedience, and
Confne himself to his own peculiar call
ing, ciUa magistrates rendering unto
Cesar the things that are CUsars, and
he rendering unto God the things that
arc Gods" This is very spscious and
has the appearance Of full-growu ar
gument with Scripture on its side. The
premises laid down, we admit but not
the conclusion. For instead Of the in
dependence of church and state proving
the doctrine Of silence or passive oJsdi-
eHcs true, IL turns Il from its very found
. atiJnst aud establishes precisely the op-
posite doctrine. Proof They are to
each other as two parallel lines, indie
: pendent, but no topposed. Why is it
that religion and politics are indePend-
ent, but upon tho principle that he who
obeys the law of God as taught in His
word does not contravene any oonstitu-
tional law of the land? "For example,
says Hail. lit is not doubted that a ohris-N
, tiau may lawfully engage in trade or
t commerce, but if it be asked why his
profession does not interfere with such
/ an undertaking, the proper reply will
! be, religion is a thing distinct and indo-
pendent. Should it be again inquired,
why a christian may become a trader,
yet must not commit theft: we should
! answer that this latter action is not
- thing distinct or independent Of relig-
q ion, but falls Immediately under its
u cOgnizance uB a violation Of its laws
Thus it appears that whatever portion
}. Of human conduct is really Independent
n of religion, is lawful for that very rea-
g son." The truth is, between two insti-
tutions such as civil government and re-
! ligion, no opposition can exist but in
r the brain Of a distempercd enthusiast.
C While, therefore, there are many obi
cations imposed by christianity, upon
which the laws of the State are silent,
t there is no constitutional obligation Of
a the State upon which christianity is ST.
lent; hence It becomes the duty Of re.
! ligiOus teachers to speak on these as
/ we'll as all other duties. 1t will not be
o pleaded by those who are the abettors
y of the law of passive obedience, that
j, there is no connection between the gov
ernment aud those who are the subjects
of it.
C IT, therefore, the happiness Of the
C subject is effected by the nature of the
government, is he not performing high
and important duty "who watches over
j, the interests of his fellow citizens IN
]. this respect, and in fact is complying
with the great law of social benovolencu
which teaches us to do good to all men7"
I Again, says Hall! "If we are bound to
S protect a neighbor, or even an enemy
from violence, to give him raimeut when
he is naked, or food when he is hungry,
much more ought we to do our part to-
S wards the preservation of free govern
s ment, the only basis upon which tho en-.
.joyment Of these blessings can securely
n rest lie who breaks the fotters of
slavery and delivers a nation from
thraldom, forms in my opinion the no.
j. blest comment on the great law Of love,
while he distributes the greatest bless.
ing which man can receive from man:
but next to that is the merit Of him who,
n in times like the present. watches over
20 the edifce Of public liberty, repairs its
n foundations, and strengthens its cement,
when hO bsholds it fastening to decay /"
-, These eloquent lines, though pvHHsd
q more than Thirty years ago as abplica-
s, bic to Great Britain, End their counter
d part now in our own country, as truly
= as though they we're written for US, and
!, intended to describe the scoHsb through
s. which We arc nov passing What thea
I are we to think Of that pablo sentiment
IS which would suppress freedont Of speech,
:, which only pleads for humanity aud the
oppressed? That sentiment which would
o. still the voice raised only to proIong tho
re dying utterances Of freedom; or palsy
, the hand that fingers at her affairs 70
=, feed tho expiring flannel DO we not all
% pray, "Thy kingdom come, thy will bo
0, done upon earth as II Is done 10 hoavon2"
90 What do We mean by such prayors3
~ Certainly, if anything at all, that We
d expect great changes to come over thi6
o. fallen world Of oursl That oppression
he aud violence everywhere shall oeaao--
TO- that all that is wrong in humsn govern
~ ~ ments shall bo dropped out, aud that
1d man everywhere shall dwell "a one uui.
ur versal brotherhood, tho law aBd oomont
ID. Of which shall be love The PRINCIPAL