The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1861-10-23

lutions of l64S and 1888. in England, and
the revolution of 1875, in America.
Nv second remark is: The true interpre.
tation OF these passages is true everywhere.
Eternal truth is universal. The Bible is for
all the earth. These passages do not inquire
into the origin, rightfulness, or excellence Of
any government; nor do they give the preach.
er. in expounding them, the smallest author-
ity for such inquiries. They take every gov
ernment on earth as 1T is. Il may be good Or
bad; founded in right or wrong. These pas.
sages say not word Of that, and il the
preacher sticks to his text he will mt say
word of that. In Rome or Paris. in England
or Hungary, in Sardinia or Austria, in
Washington or Richmond. IL he speak ac
cordng to the oracles OF God, he will say
the same things.
Once more: These passages do not bind
the citizen to approve every act of his gov
ernment, even in time of war. Did no good
citizens in England disapproye Of their war
upon the colonies or their opium war with
China or the Crimean aar: Did no good
citizens of this CITY disapprove OF our war
with England in 1872 Did Paul approve
Of all the acts Of his government when he
wrote the passage to the Romans already
quoted II he did, he approved Of the arts
of government at which il has been thought
yirtuous men ought ever since to shudder,
What is righteousness? Perfect obedi
ence to law. The angel. whose obedience
to Gods law is perfect, has Divine righteous
ness. The child, who perfectly obrys every
parental law. has filial righteousness. The
ci.izpn, who perfectly obeys every law Of his
government. has political Righteousness.
/ That righteousness claim ta-day.
But NAV mol an argument Tor political
preaching be drawn from the example 81 the
ancient prophetss By all means, when lwo
things come to pass to make the cases par.
allel.
When we live under a government in
which the Church and State are not only
united, but Unidentified. we shall enjoy the
first circumstance necessary 10 complete the
parallel and make the argument valid. They
lived under Theocrscy, in which God was
king. The church (the visible cburchl was
the State. Even after the pure TheOcratIc
form was changed. according to the proyis-
ional constitution laid down in the III chap
ter of Deuteronomy, verses fourteen to TWEEN
ty, the essential features were the same.
| God was Head Of the State. that is the
Church. and human kings were but his vice.
roys. Under such government what was
political, was also ecclesiastical. If this Is
not our condition. the argument fran the pn-
litical preaching Of the ancient prephe fails.
Again: When God inspires any Of u I"
I declare SON. special political doctrine or de-
e cree, we shall enjoy the second parallel I"
4 the condition Of the prophets. When Hr
reveals to me something abnut England,
France. or the United States, and bids ms
utter il. hope | shall have courage 10 obey.
Until He does so. hope shall have grace
: to stick, in my preaching. TO What Tie ha'
revealed.
!. Q. Political preaching is not needed. po
e litical instruction is otherwise pfnyi'lrd for
!, Many learned and excellent gentlemen lie
! vote themselves to this work, in many inrins
They have given Us histories of our Constr
tution, and formal expnsitions OF its prayis
I, ions. Great statesmen have kernly hehatet
: its articles. and the penple have easy access
! to their opinions. Il is the special work q
the secular press to give political infnrma
e tion and adyncate political theories. Hail.
4 are everywhere open for such discussions
: and six DAYS Of the seven may lawfully b'
! devoted to giving and impar,ing political
il light
All experience. too. shows that mea rare
" lack zeal in attending to thrir srrula
concerns. Nor will they lack capacity q
fidelity, if only their piety is kept vignrca
Z and pure. And how shall this BE- dune
( God has revealed but one way. Sanctif'
: them through thy TRUTH" saws CHRIST. an,
: adds. "thy Word Is truth" Therefore
!. when the living ministry laithfa!ly prrael
:, the living Word. Gods living Spirit i plrdg
i ed 70 produce the fruits Of grace aud hnl
). life. Therefore, if pur am is. tha, men .hal
!. attend best to their secnar interests anil du
Z. ties. the directest, surest AID ,liynrlv NJ
!. pointed way Is TO preach them pure 90.
!. pei.
i And il II be said that such gnnd men /
preachers ought 10 have this instructlan i
their hands. Il makes me SAD "a .nnitss tha
instead Of the preacher lifting politics "
politics generally pull the preacher down
L IL the pulpit tries to become platform. ]
y Is 10 danger Of getting lower thsn the plat
le form. II is common remark ths' mnie -
3 vectise and fierce epiihets are 10 be fnnl
'e in the political sermon than 10 The pulitca
n speech.
'. 8. Political preaching is no, desired. Hu,
re often. of late. has tie lament been heard q
over the city, "Is there no escape IRON pol
itics! We attend 10 politics all the week
ar and hear little else may we not have respit
ie on the Ssbbaihs Through the parehed san
OF We walk six DAYS. anil We see from afar III
ID palm trees greenly waving over the COO
II eFH Ia A
J" draw near. and still hnd sand. arid sandi'
81 | tell you. friends. there are men and WI
men wandering sadly about this city, hunt
u ing for places where they shall be sure !
:" hear the gospel. and be safe from Poliiisa
G. preaching; not because the poliiies diiie
s. lrom their own, but because they long. ~
i the consultations "f the gospel graee,--lons
'e more than ever In these days Of distress ans