The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1873-09-24
The Sacredness and Benefits of
Civil Government:
A Discourse ny REv. w. FREAR.
Preached Sabbath Ersning, Sepiesabsr 81, 1873.


RoxAxs xiii; l-G-Let every soul b subject unto
the higher powers For there Is power but Of
] God the powers that be ordained Of God. Who
soever therefore rsssteth the power rcsisteth the
ordinance Of Cod and they that resist shall receive
TO themselves damnation. For rulers are not ter
ror to good works bat TO the evil. Wilt thou then
not BE- afraid Of the pOWerf Do that which Is good,
aud thou sbAt have praise Of the for be is the
minister Of cd to thes for good.
This passage Of scripture, as you are aware, is
the old war-club with which in ages past Cypress.
crs have been won't to strike down the rights Of
their thinking and iberty.loTiug subjects. The
wrong has generally claimed it for its special use.
Bot in this age Of freedom not to say Of license,
it has come back to its rightful service. II is re-
stored to its legitimate application not to abet
oppression, but TO restrain lawlessness.
Paul. 10 writing to the christians at Rome, is
urging upon them the duty Of loyalty to the ex-
isting government. They bad strong temptation
to be otherwise than loyal for the government
they did not ike Il was idolatrous, overhear-
ing, regardless Of the rights Of individual judg-
ment, aud in spirit hostile to the christian re-
gion. On tho other hand, christianity bad
had introduced them TO the rights, liberties aud
privileges OF new citizenship. They owed q
new and higher allegiance. They were emanci-
pated from the servitude Of sin. and the sacred
ire Of true liberty glowing in their breasts
Besides. they were to obey God rather than men.
1t might be duty, even, TO sacrifice life rather
than obey the civil power. Il is not strange,
therefore, If those early christians were tempted
to lightly esteem the civil government and to
think of it as an imposition Of man, or as un-
necessary for the good Of men, aud thus should
be led to disregard its proper laws, or even wish
for its subverson.
Paul warns them against this. He tells them
that every should be subject to il, for 1t is Of
God so that he who resists it resisteth the ordi-
nance Of God. and should receive, not damnatlon
ment that rightly belongs to resistance to civil
authority. Do good, be says, aud thou shalt have
praise Of the same, for It is the minister or in-
strument OF God to thee for good.
Two thoughts. stand out here, which inspira-
ton has thought 1t wise to place before us. One
is that government is from God, aud the other is
that it is from Him for our gOod-the Sacredness
and the Benefits of Civil Government.
A few thoughts 10 this direction, may not be
out of place, or useless at the present time. Is
there anything sacred about government Is
there any harm in sel6shly arraying oneself
against it; or in weakening its authorityl Is
there any duty dsvolving on US to maintain it's
power and help its efficiency Islt very essential
or Of very much use to usl These are questions
which il may be well for US to consider, little
You need not fear my dear brethren, that | am
going into politics, it is called, for am no
politician. have no party end or aim to sub
serve But l do confess TO having, in common
with you all, deep interest in all that vitality
affects human welfare 10 general, and the welfare
Of this people in particular. We have all been
led to think Of public aflirs of late. Our thoughts
have been upon government aud upon the PeO-
pie. We have all felt that these are critical
times, to this people-critical not only to their
material and business interests, but also to the
interests of Law and order, and religion. to the
harmony OF races and the progress Of Christ's
kingdom. and the salvation Of souls.
How can the christian be Indifferent to these
thingsi How can he refrain from them in bis
prayers, and in his thoughts, if the welfare Of
man is upon his heart ! Religion has its ministry
in all current Interests and affairs. 1t has to do
with all that pertains to human welfare, and to
our responsibilities as men. ! am one who be-
heves that the virtues or the sins Of people have
much to do, through God, with their material pros
perity. His blessing. in seen and unseen why's,
are upon those who are faithful and true to right
eousness and truth. Temporal endorsements,
not to say judgments and humiliations. and adj
versities, have q connection with the moral and
religious state OF nations. God in His provi-
dence deals with nations as well as with indivi-
duals. This fully believe, though 1 do not ask
any of you to dispute with me if you think diff
ferenty.
Let me say also that while every one should
feel his particular responsibility, and be nerved
yet help and not hindrdncs should be the watch
word of rs all. There is such a thing as under
mining government itself. There may be dan
ger OF taking away its sacredness, and weakening
its authority. Too sweeping and reckless denun-
citation may go deeper into the national heart
aud life than honest men intend, or the evil
minded may think or even desire.
Hoping, then. that you viii not understand me
as driving at, or having any specific reference to
mems or mere measures. let ask your attention
to few thoughts 90 the sacrednsss aad benefits
of government.
First its Sacredness. There is sanctity 10
civil government, which God himself has given it,
There is that about it which makes it kind of
sacrIege for man to lay q Ruthless or destroy
ing hand upon 1t. It's authority demands respect
and obedience. 1t awakeDs in all right hearts
feeling Of Difference and regard. 1t is that which
cannot be sinued against with impunity. 1t |
claims the allegiance and loyalty Of man. To |
tramps on it's laws is to be criminal, to rise up |
against its supremacy is to be traitorous.
1t has this sacredness because, IS our text |
says, it ia ordained Of God. Kings even do not |
give to il aught of its sacredness. Human Pomp |
and show Of royalty add nothing to this its Sa-
credness. 1t Is sacred because it is Gods inst.
tuition. and not mans. It s not the creature
Of man, neither did it result from any compact |