Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1863-08-15


T hazard, and all died martyrs, save John
because they would obey God rather than
men. So the three Hebrews, Shsdrach
Meshach, and Abednego. when required
by royal edictS 10 worship the golden image
replied, BE ii known unto thee, oh king,
that we will not serve thy gods, nor wor.
ship the golden image which thou hast sci
Iup' They took the hazard, and God de.
livered them. ..... .t.
But 1 need not multiply Bible illustra
ton, since every one knows that both Old
and New Testament Saints maintained the
doctrlne-"Wc must obey God, rather than
men." Nor will introduce the long list
Of martyrs who have seuled their faith with
their blood, sooner than yield obedience TO
an unrighteous law. The examples given
establish the principle that when legislators
frame government or laws in opposition to
the divine code, we are uudcr no obliga.
tion to obey them, and it is treason against
God TO enforce them.
Thus far we have considered the things
which belong unto God--his Unlimited ju
risdictiUn and our duty to obey Him at all
hazards. Let us now consider The things
which we should render to Cesar; or In
other words, the duties which We owe to
eiril government. +. s....q ..,--.. .... -
First: AS constituent members of civil
government, duty to God aud our country
demands that we should endeavor to ele.
yate men to power who are most trust
worthy and the best qualified for the du-
ties of civil office This is imperative under
government where every citizen is couut.
ed sovereign and eljoys the right Of suf.
frage If the powers that be are ordained
Of God" then are We Gods agency in car
rying Oh government, and voting men into
Office is moral act--a duty which we owe
TO God and our country: hence we may not
shrink from the responsibility through ia
difference, or whenever conscientious vote
will disturb sordd politician
10 the exercise of our civil rights, and in
elevating men 10 power and public trust,
we are not to be controlled by a narrow
minded capric,, or mere party bias. or side
issues designed to divert attention from
fundamental principles, Nor are we to be
borne along by the political tornadoes tha,
J periodically sweep over the country, over
whelmiug, in their progress, the couscicnti
Gus doubts and moral convictions of many
sincere men. t.... ... .
Patriotism, high minded, unsel6sh, and
lofty in its ain x ambition; will lead US to
select Trustworthy men as candidates for
public Office. Such, in the administration
of just government, will be u Terror to
evil doers, and a praise TO them that do
well' But when base, corrupt men, are in
power, the people mourn. Yea The
wicked walk on every side, when the yilest
men are exalted .......... .. ....
When God directed the Jews in the
choice of their civil rulers. it was in the
following words: Moreover, thou shalt
provide out of all the people, able men,
such as fear God, men of truth, hating CO,
vetousness, and place such owe: them to be
rulers Elk. xviii. 81. Now snch men
might not be very popular, in certain ocali
lies, and with certain politicians; but what
party would discard them on account Of
such qualities? Indeed, it is one OF the
hopeful aspects Of our country, that with
all our eorruptions, parties still feel the ne
cessity of consulting the public conscience
in the selection of their candidates for civil
office. God has said He that ruleth over
men must be just, ruling in the fear of
God 2 Sam xviii 3 And it will be dark
day for our nation when the rens of civil
government are committed to such as
Neither fear God, nor regard man.
3, 2nd In the next place, We should render
civil government an efficient support. Tns
support must consist in cooperation and
such tribute as may be necessary to sustain
government, in the exercise Of its legitimate
Authority. So far as the obligation is con-
cerned, it matters not whether our suffrage
placed the officers of government in power,
or the votes Of Others; when duly chosen
according to the Constitution Of the coun
try they are the representatives of the
government-God'sm minister's bearing the
sword Of Justice; and it becomes our So
lena aud imperative duty to sustain them
in their official character and relation
, nlCyil government, unfortunately, has
been embarrassed with 1.-Two classes oi
come4outers, differing widely in character,
aud principles. while practically these lex
tremes meet in opposition TO civil au'
thority, For convenience, lwill denomi'
nate them the 7regGtire aud po'iIire
forces that embarrass government by With
holding ready, cheerful, efficient support,
The negatives declare neutrality, and,
perhaps, 'honFesistance' in. principle, ex