The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1863-08-21
Political prpachiuy


sumo my thoughts on the above topic.
1t is objected to minister of the gos-
pei for meddling with the politics of
State and Nation--because "Christs
kingdom is not of this world'--that
the apostles and first ministers had no
in civil or political af-
fairs; and, therefore, men of like call
ing should do no otherwise now. /
am ut loss to know what connection
the spirituality and uncarthlincss of
the great Masters kingdom, have with
my rights and duties as citizen, in
preventing their exercise, unless that
when I became q Christian and Min
lister, | out.lawed myself to the State,
forfeited citizenship, with all its rights,
privileges. immunities, and RESPONSE
bilities. | must he allowed to confess
that do not thus understand the OBJ
legations of my new, spiritual and
heavenly naturalization and citizen
ship.
If Caesar, his Senate, Governors,
officers civil and military, and all his
empire of subjects, had yielded TO dis
cipleship under Prince Messiah, it
would have qualified them to fill bet
ter their respective stations in life,
and not untitled them for the functions
of their callings, unless unlawful in
themselves. PauI's advice to the
Cornthian church "Let every man
abide in the same calling, wherein he
was called Cor, 7, 20, is precise
ly in place at this point. Again, who
is SO blind as not to perceive, that
this rule sought to be deduced from
the conduct Of the first disciples
proves too much, and therefore proves
nothing in the case. Not alone min
listers, it is claimed, but all church
members abstaincd from active partic-
ipation in governmental concerns
Then, the argument being worth
anything, proves that not only minis
ters, but laymen, also, disqualify them
selves for economy fgovernment and
duties of IA citizen by having faith in
Christ. Hence we are conducted to
the most absurd conclusion, that in
fdels and the very worst of human
society alone, are qualified for the
honors, emolumcnts and duties of of
flee. For in the ratio of ones APP
proXimations to the nature and char
actcr of the divine Saviour, he retro
grades from all fitness for the duties
of che social compact. Who is able
to receive il let him receive it.
AIN not pr pared for conclusions
of such great magnitude, fraught witt
such awful consequences to human so
ciety or the race of man. Practical
Ily. however, for years past, many
very good yet misguided person,
have acted from this principle
! They have said it was contamina
ting to a good man to attend prima
ry election or nominating convention
| but if they would take any part at al
1 in civil matters, it was only to ego il
blind" and vot, for the man or prin
ciples selected for them by those whom
. tlrv concluded best fitted to transact
lust such dirty work for The com.lu
nifty.
C1A we. thea, be amazed ut grave
Senators dcnomcing the thousands o
minister's for an attempt to ''"abble il
4 the mlldy waters of politics. whcr
they would respectfully, hut unmis
ltakably reno 5tratn against the per
Ipcsration of t'lc most gigantic iniqui
: ty Of this century. Before, ut, an'
for an age subsequent to tho begin
ming of our rational compact il va
mot 50; and ve.i!y helicYc, yet
know it will not arrays c9ltin1c 80
Goo men must and will awd.il tJ dis
co"Cc their oncrous responsibilities
as members of the brotherhood o
man. and to bel, that it is their du
tv not to surrender this vast battle
feld, with all its magazines and pom
derous artillery for veal or woe, su
pinely into the hands of Satan.
Moreover, if it were conceded tina
the first disciples were entirely ncu
tral in politics--yet this may hav,
been merely their policy, and not th'
demand of their religion, except rs
matter orpiece of policy--they live,
under absolute monarchcal forms o
: Government, in which the individual
ity of the citizen was merged int
and lost sight of in the bewildcrin!
glory and dazzling splenlor Of tn
despot. The people were voiceles
and unknown in the making of tn