American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1865-03-08

doctrine OF the te4I, NhicH is l. nat
men should render to the chief ruler those
duties that belong to him." And, we
would remark:
l. That the ruler is to be prayed fot
The Scriptures enjoin this, as primary
duty. Says St. Pault to Timothy (2:l-3)
81 exhort therefore, that first of all, sup
plications, prapers, intercessions, and Civ
ing of thanks, be man for all men for
kings, and..for all that are in authority;
that we may lead quiet and peaceful
life in all godliness and honesty. For
this is good and acceptable in the sight
of God our Saviour" Prayer is a holy
power with God; for we are told: (Jas. 5:
lC) "The effectual fervent prayer of
righteous man availeth much" True
prayer will be heard and answered on the
part of God. The good people are there
fore exhorted, first of all to make sup
plications, prapers, interceasons, for kings
and for all who are in authority over them.
This is duty of the first Importance, that
the blessing of God may rest upon the
ruler, and upon the people through him.
They are topray for him personally that
God would be pleased to bless him with
His fear which is the beginning and con
tinuance of true wisdom. Bless him with
divine wisdom, to discern clearly his du-
ty, aud to discharge it in such way as
will truly be conducive to the extension
of Gods kingdom of righteousness, and
the best interests of the whole people.
That he may be kept free from ignorance,
dishonesty, and corruption, and that lie
may give him courage TO execute the laws
without fear, or favor of man, not holding
the sword of justice in vain, but thaC he
m ay lie ga terror to evil-doers, aud a
praise tothem who 10 we'll" That thus the
people may have one Of Gods choicest
blessings upon earth, namely, of being we'll
governed. 1.-THE whole people We're to
observe this in junction Of the word OF
God, they would have no lack Of good
rulers King Saul after being anointed
king was by no means as good man,
as he ought and might have been;
but when he came among the company
of prophets the Spirit of God came
upon him and he prophesied among
them" so that it was said: SIS Saul
also among the prophets p
They are to Pray for themselves, also,
as part Of that government, for where
there are no subjects, there can be no
governor, and where there are no good
subjects, there can be no good governor.
So, also, if the subjects are good, they
will in general way have good govern
mert. They are to pray, therefore, that
they may lead quiet and Peocedbie lives
in all godliness aud honesty and pray
to be kept from all unholy passions,
which give birth to uproar, tumult, strife,
and rebellion. Republics, especially, will
never stand unless .hese virtues of IA good
citizen and Christian are prayed for, and
sincerely cultivated A good people will
be free, because they desire To do no
wrong. and true liberty consists in every
man being privileged to do right, and not
to do wrong. Were men all good Christ
ians, observing the command of Christ:
Glove your ncighbor as YOURSELF ~ there
would be no necessity for jails, peniten.
tiaries, and capital punishments; yea,
there would be no necessity for law, ex-
cept those defining civil rights, and civil
duties; but certainly the penal code would
have no place OF application. But be-
cause of the wickedness of men, who dis
regard divine rs well as civil law, and
break them these places of punishment
must be erected, and penal laws must be
enacted: BY these men of wicked ways
are deprived of their personal liberties
they loose their freedom, aud justly so,
because they ave enemies to all true liber-
ty, and the peace of their fellow men. L.
norance and vice will beget tyranny, and
bad people will become slaves and bond
men. Thus the heather, in darkness and
depravity, are governed by the whim of
the ono man power-thus Rome lost her
liberties in the same proportion as she lost
her moral virtue and thus modern Italy
Spain, Mexico, the Southern republics
were religion is adulterated with super
stition, and were but the twilight of true
intelligence aud the pure religion of Je
sus exists and where vice aud wickedness
abounds, are but hill civilized, and ifnot
obsolute monarches, yet republics but in
name. A good people must then pray
for their rulers, and pray for themselve,
that they may lead quiet and peaceable
lives in all godliness aud honesty.
2. The second duty to be rendered to
Tho cb,ef rnler is that he should be hon