Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1873-01-31
leading ahnlltionists ssif Tic Ia

leading abolltionists, eff this be So,
then away with the Bible" And
many were rendered skeptics by
such treatment. The reasoning Of
the abolitionists was correct. For
if the Bible does not favor the in
terests of true humanity, it does not
do what it claims to, and is there
fore false. But does the Bible IA
vor such system as our late war
overthrow? Who dares now to as.
sert it?
This touches a second point in
the letter OF Clerici deserving at
tention. / refer to the dogmatic
assertion Of what the Scriptures do
teach. That the writer gives the
Interpretation usually received, is
no doubt true, but who is ignorant
that thought and research are con.
tinually amending, not the Bible,
but our imperfect Interpretation of
1t. How very recently almost ev-
crybody held to creation in six
literal days, but who does now? A
half century ago and the represen-
tations of the future existence were
interpreted literally; now, with al
most the same unanimity, they are
regarded as fiyurative. Many more
instances we might add. Who,
then, can be wholly confident that u
better knowledge Of human reIa-
tons under the light of the gospel
of good WHIP may not modify the
view now held by the majority Of
the church. But we need not go
outside Of the subject under debate
to find this modification accepted
by Il common consent. The earliest
Interpretation Of the address to
Noah was that the nearest relative,
the "brotheI," was obligated to
avenge the death Of his relative by
Staying the murderer. And we find
that this method of dispensing JUS
tlcc has prevailed in many heather
nations, as well us being incorpora-
ted with modification, by Moses,
among the judicial regulations Of
the Hebrews.
Does any one in this 10th century
believe that we have degeneratcd,
or departed from Ike trucst import
of Scripture, i'll transferring the
avenging power from the nearest of
kin to judicial tribunal? Certain
ly not. But the writer in the Cen
sorUotice really rests the main
weight of his argument upon the
judicial code of the Jews, which, as
he says, "God gave them in per-
SON" And though "civil duties
and religious rites may have been
enjoined as appropriate to that age
OF the world, but unsuited to later
stages of human development, we
repeat" lie says, ''nothing could
have been established as a princ-
pie Of government which was not in
accordance with the dictates of
eternal Justice" Grant this, and
will it follow that the penalties af-
fixed to Jewish laws, even by God
himself, may not be modified by the
spirit of the gospel, or changed by
q developing civilization? What
ever his answer, the fact of a vast
change exists; nor would lie advo-
cate the restoration Of the death
penalty, either in manner or for
causes, as it was inflicted among
the descendants of Abraham. BY
reference to the Bible, we find
that the following otfenses are men
TONED i'll the law as Liable to pun
ishment by death: striking, or even
reviling parent, blasphemy, Sab
bath-breaking, witchcratt, adultery,
unchastity in a betrothcd woman,
rape, incest, man-stealing, idolatry,
and in certain cases, false witness.
All these, eleven in number, besides
murder. We also find that there
were thirty-six or thirty-seven ca
ses which involved the penalty Of
cutting off from the people,"
which many of our best commcnta-
tors believe also means death. Now
| submit whether if the legislation
OF the Hebrews upon the one point
OF the penalty for murder be imper-
alive for universal adoption, the
same penalty for the other eleven,
perhaps torty-oight crimes, be not
equally binding? But not even
Cierici would advocate this. The
fact is, we do live in different times
from Moses, with i differing civil
cation. Above all, the mild, the
tender Influence OF the gospel is
making its deep work upon our leg
islation not less than upon our So
cial sentiments AID customs.
Eye have heard that it hath been
said, an eye for an eye and a tooth
for TOOTH" spake our Savior, and
all must confess that the legislation
of ante Christian times was mainly
upon the principle of rendering an
equivalent. 1t was simple justice,
with no tcmpering of mercy, though
often the spice of cruelty. But we
live under dispensation of grace,
where mercy extends its sheltering
Hgis over even the worst criminals,
and where the highest good of the
culprit, even his recovery to virtue
and to Christ, is permitted to unite
with justice in sustaining the law,
whether Of God or of the State.
do not say that the abolition of
capital punishment is wise, but |
do say let us give the matter trial
now that the law is passed. | say,
moreover, Yet us be candid in our
discussion; more anxious to find the
truth than to sustain dogma. II.
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Tho Cedar Falls Stabbing Affair.