The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1861-10-29
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II. ID. MmtEn. of Pefn.
Matt xxa. zi.--Reia.2er denfors aafo
Oazar ~ Mipgs wiich sre tas0rsi and
INFO God he things that are Gods.
Tbi. i said 10 be the only instance re-
corded Of Jesus Chrisi's giving any direct
instruction during his public ministry, coa-
cefning the Government under which he
lived and What be says here, he was al
mosi compiled 70 say, by the direct and
urge9i manner of bis enemies approaching
and addressing him. lie was wont 70 deal
with principles, instead Of existing inslitn-
tions thus. the more e4eclually, because
indirectly, laboriug for the destruction Of
the evils with which communities and ma.
lions had long been afflicted.
So should il be, doubtless, erea moic,
with those whom he commissions 10 teach
III his name.
As he. on one special occasion, turned
aside from bis accustomed way, so may It
he the duty Of his messenger 10 do; and
surely, the present time is a special occa-
sion. If one has ever been furnished in the
history Of mankind. warraniing preach
crs Of the gospel TO speak plainly Of what
belongs to Cesar, as well as what belongs
10 Cod.
We learn from the toxi, that there is
such thing as Government, human and
divine; aud tEat there are some important
duties devolving upon the subjects Of both,
which should be discharged ulgradgiagly
and promptly.
Tic question Of to-day is not whether
our Pilgrim fathers were right or wrong.
IN coming hitler and securing Tor them
selves a safe retreat from persecution and
a peaceful home, by driving out the saw
age tribes then roaming over "a waste
bowling wilderness" The question of to-
day i, not whether our Revolutionary
fathers were authorized to seek and secure
their Independence at such an expense OF
toll, treasure, suffering and blood. The
question Of to-day is not whether the great
and wise men who constructed and put IN
operation our Republican Government
we're wise or foolish in dealing with Sla-
very as they did. 1t i not at all likely
that there would ever have been any
United States Government on any other
plan. There might have been sort Of
treaty or compact between the States. to
be broken at the pleasure or caprice OF
any one Of the parties concerned; and who
Is assured that such an arrangement
would i.ovo brrn any the better Tor the
free or the enslayed. The question OF to-
day il not whether it would not have been
better for US, as people, if We had pos
scssed among us less Of bitter, headlone
Radicalism.--l of cautious, stiff Conser.
yatism, and more of prudent, warm-heart-
ed, Christ-like, progressive action.
Had New England early thrown her
influence Southwark, as she did West
ward, with vastly more Of the selt-deny-
ing, meek and gentle spirit of true Cbris-
tian Freedom and vastly less of the cray
: ina spirit of Avarice, the defenders Of per-
rctuaI, involuntary servitude, would have
been comparatively few and harmless, We
may suppose.
We have had some important agencies
operating there, in the right direction
Rev. II. w. Beecher publicly expressed
II rs lis opinion. few years since, thai
; the American Tract Society was doing
more against Slavery than heenty Aboli
ton Societies could; and what we hay,
wanted more than anything else, has been
perhaps, the presence Of thousands Of the
practical friends Of Freedom. IN the Star,
.Sates, exemplifying there the principle.
Of the Tract Sociely's publications, thu
gradually yet surely, driving away all op
preston and injustice.
J Our ancestors came to this Western
! World---tbey engaged in the Revolution
. airy War and achieved their Independence
they established a government under
which we have lived and prospered, in al
most every point Of view, more than any
other nation since the world began.
We have a Government to which We
are greatly indebted. for its protection ant
fostering care. In respect 10 US, as vel
as all other nations, +" The powers that b,
are ordained Of God !" and therefore they
are not to be resisted When a govern
ment manifestly fails Of accomplishing it
object, il is the right and privilege OF tbs
people to change or abolish it. This hai
always and everywhere been assumed By
reasonable men, and is not what is mean
in Scripture by resisting The poscer. Wha
is forbidden there is the rising up Of an,
. man or SET Of men against the establishes
civil authorities, generally acknowledge
and quietly submitted 10. When the sub
jects Of government are well united il
the feeling that il has become iniolerablj
bnrdcnsome, and have before them th'
prospect Of a favorable change by Reyo
luton, it necessary, then il may be then
duty and privilege TO do such a work
though difficult and expensive.
Our Government has not become thui
bufdensome 10 any Of ils loyal subjects
nor is there any prospect Of our gaining
anything, By destroying Il Or allowing il
destruction.
But We are in the very midst Of grea
slarfl0l9eg's re5clioa. for various reasons
-. .lsss 4. has ssa s4rs