The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1861-12-12

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whatever circumstances they may be pla-
government is Il standing institution, which
has hitherto existed, and must continue to
exist, in one form or another, in every
place and among all nations. Although
it is not the design of divine revelation to
treat systematically Of government, any
more than OF any other branch Of science,
it is nevertheless II most essential and
necessary part of Christian morality to
ciucidate and enforce the duties which we
owe to such a valuable ordinance
And here let it be noted, that there is
an Important distinction between govern
ment in its principle and in its applica-
ton. In its principle it compTehends
what is essential and immutable in its
application it relates to what is accidental
and variable. Hence, Peter in the con-
text calls civil government an ordinance
or appointments man, and Paul (Rom
ii i, . calls it an ordinance Of Go -
There is no discrepancy between the two
inspired statements. That there shall te
government is the ordinance of God
whatsoever therefore rcsiste,h the power,
resisteth the ordinance of God, and thew
that resist shall receive to themselves
damnaton." But of what particular form
the civil government shall be is the ordi-
nance of man. In other words, God or
dams that we shall live under government; :;
man ordains whether it shall be monar-
chic, arstocratic or democratic in its form
1t Is altogether matter Of human pru-
dence and arrangement whether we shall
t.,p II
jority in the nation. The Bible docs not
prescribe any particular form, and as II
consequence sanctions them all. and teach
es the christian citizen to yield a ready
and cheerful submission to constituted
au;hority--to be warm In his allegiance,
decided in his support, ami loyal in his
heart, "to every ordinance cot man, for the
Lords sake" Not only the supreme or
general government Of the nation, but also
the subordinate branches Of power, the
governors who rule under the national
head, are to be respected and obeyed, as
the ministers Of God, "sent for the pun
ishment of evil duerS, and for the praise
of them that do we'll"
This exhortation to obedience is en-
forced by several considerations mentioned
duced why we should be Gutiful, exem-
pllry and loyal citizens, yielding not
tardy or reluctant, but Il prompt and
cheerful obedience to civil rulers, is the
Hberty enyDycd-or the exemption from an
obligation to obey communal rot founded
on law, or command which though in
accordance with the supreme law of the
land, is nevertheless directly opposed to
the law or commandment OF God. a lib
erty, or exemption from obedience, in
such cases Is not to be made an excuse
for indulging wayward and malicious
temper of heart, or for throwing off the
gentle yoke Of just and due allegiance to
lawful authority. Christian liberty ex-
empts no man from the binding duty OF
yielding ready and cheerful obedience to
civil rulers, in everything not Inconsistent
with the clear requirements OF Gods holy
word. "As free, and not using your lib
crty for a cloak of righteousness, but as
the servants of God"
1t is required in stewards that man
be found faithful. The minister of God
must rightly divide the word of truth,
and give the household Of Christ their
portion of meat III due season.
The blood-red cloud of an unnatural and
terrible civil war now sweeping over our
beloved land with its appalling desolations; /;
the strange and conflicting views enter
tanned by many of our citizens rs to the
allegiance due the government under
which we live the nature and extent of
liberty the right to rebel, and cast off the
authority Of law the duty to resist, and
subvcrt, aud dismember, and change the
lenient, and generous, and glorious gov
crnment under which we have long lived
and prospered-1 say the diversity of SEN
timcnt on points so solemnly important
and so Intimately interviewer with our
national life and prosperity has led me to
annunciate the teaching Of the Bible on
these subjects, and the duty of all chris
tian people, whether in the North or the
South, the East or the West of our Amer
lean Union.
Our widely extended nation, like the
Roman Empire, embraces in Its limits
several separate commonweaIths, each of
which is independent in its proper sphere,
having its own local institutions, and laws,
and rulers bat all SO united and knit to-
gether as to form Il nation OF vast proper
tions, unlimited in resources mighty in
power, fostering in influence, and gener-
ously paternal in the exercise Of Its
authority And If christians under the
Roman yoke were solemnly enjoiued to