The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-11-21
EVAyGELgCAL LUTHERAN CHURCH or THE
HOLY TRINITY.

Tho Duty OF Christians TO God and to the
Governmcnt-sermon by Rev, 8. +. Krote',
d.
At the Evangelical Lutheran Church Of the Holy
Trinity, West Twenty-hrst street, the cosgrega-
ton instructed in their duty 10 God and to the
civil authorities In very interesting sermon
preached by their pastor the Rev. Dr. G. f. Kroel.
He preached from the twenty-second chapter OF st.
Matthew, In which Christ says, "Render, therefore,
unto Cesar the things which ore Casar's, and unto
God the things which are Gods" Said he, Christ
recognizes the right OF civil authority, and admits
that the government has certain claims ana require
ments on citizens, and 1t Is solemn duty to rem
der to the civil authorities obedience in temporal
matters as 1t is to obey God in spiritual affairs.
DR.. Krotel read from
THE AUGSBURG CONFESSION,
articles sixteen and twenty-elght. The former
treats Of civil affairs, and holds that concerning
cvil affairs they teach that such civil ordinances
are lawful are good works OF God; that Christians
may lawfully bear civil Office, SIT on judgments,
lnpresent force; appoint just punishments engage
IN Just war, act Us soldiers make legal bargains and
contracts, hold property, take an oath when the
marriage. They condemn the Annaoaptists, who
forbid Christians these civil o1ces. They condemn
also those that place the perfection OF the Gospel
not IN the fear OF God and IN faith bat in iorsaking
civil offices, inasnuch as the Gospel teaches an ever
lasting righteousness OF the heart. In the mean
time 1t does not dsalow order and gov
eminent of commonwealth or families, but re-
quires especially the preservation and maintenance
thereof as OF Gods own ordinances. and that In
such ordinances we should exercise love. CHRIS
tians, therefore, must necessarily obey their magls
trates and laws, save ony those where they com
mand any sin, for then they must rather obey God
than men. Article 2s speaks Of
ECCLESIASTICAL POWER,
and says-The ecclesiastical power hath Its COM
mandment u preach the Gospel and administer the
sacraments. Let II not by force into the Office
OF another; let 1t not transfer worldly Kingdoms;
let IL not abrogate the magistrates laws; let 1t not
withdraw from their lawful obedience; let 1t not
hinder judgments touching any civil ordinances or
contracts; let 1t not prescribe lawsto the magistrate
touching the form OF republic. AS Christ says--.Nly
kingdom is not OF this WORLD" and again, "Who
made me judge or dlvlder over
your And st. Paul says--."rhe weapons Of
our warfare are not carna but mighty through God,
casting down imaginations," &C. In this way do
our teachers distinguish between The duties OF each
power due from the other and do warn all men to
honor both powers and acknowledge both TO be
THE GIFT AND BLESSING OF GOD.
The preacher further explained th,t Christians
should not render to the civil authorities that which
belongs TO Cod nor to God what is due TO the civil
authorities, nor to conlne all their time one, but
to separate it In such manner that neither should
be neglected. DIR. Krotel continued at much length,
and concluded by expressing the hope that his hear
erS would follow the directions he had laid down Tor
their guidance and would render unto cesar the
things which are Cesars, aud unto God the things
which Gods,