The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1877-12-06
Polygamy.
j. F. WHITMAN.

JACKSON, o, Dec. lst, 1871.
To the Editor OF the jackson Standard
1t will be seen by reference to the last
No. of the Standard, that Mr.. Mackley Is
charged by the Athens Messenger with
coming forward in defense Of polygamy.
Mr.. Mackley explains by saying that it is
the Bible, and not he that assumes the
defense of polygamy. We are in full
sympathy with Mr.. Mackley in his effort
to hold up the word Of God as the proper
authority by which to settle this ques-
ton. In our humble judgment the word
Of God should take the place of all writ
ten creeds, confessions of faith, and all
other instruments of like character, in
the settlement of all questions Of relig.
ious belief and practice, since il is the
only authority from which there is no
appeal in these matters; but it must not
be forgotten that Gods word must be
properly divided, in order that it may
afford satisfactory solution of all the
veXed questions now agitating the relig-
ions world. Paul, in his second letter to
Timothy, says Study to show thyself
approved unto God, a workman that
needeth not to be ashamed, rightly diCid-
ing tie le0rd Of truth.
We must discriminate between that
which belongs respectively to saint and
sinner, to the present and past dispensa-
tions; that which is inspiration, and that
which is simply historical. In the alb
sence of this division, Gods word is
little else than heterogeneous mass of
inexplicable mystery, and gross incon-
sstency Mr. Mackley has ignored this
division and order of God word, and has
carried us away back into spiritual Baby
lon, and holds US amensble to the laws
and usages of dispensation with which
we have nothing to do, and which has
long since been superseded by better
things In this we think Mr.. Mackley
at fault, and to call his attention to this
point is the object of our writing The
Patriarchical dispensation, as well the
Jewish economy, has been superseded by
Christ and his glorious kingdom We
have no longer Jacob, Solomon, and Mo
ses as our moral guides, but Christ is our
great Exemplar, and our department be-
| fore God and the world, public and pri-
vate. religiously, socially, politically, and
in every essential sense, should be intiu-
enced by His pure and spotless life. and
| His holy teachings. Christ says of Him
self that all power in heaven and in earth
is given unto me. Ii is plain from this
wonderful declaration of the Son of God,
that all authority and law which have
hitherto ruled and guided the children
OF men, are no longer binding on their
hearts and oonsciences, no longer any
kings and priests to rule over US, for
Christ is our King and Priest. No long
er any sacrifice for sin, for Christ has
died once for all, for our sins We are
now to look to him for a code of morals
by which to guide our steps. Let US
hear His great proclamation. He now
says, speaking to the Apostles, 60 teach
all nations, baptiZing them in the name
Of the Father, and of the Son. and OF the
Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all
things whatever / have commanded you
&c These Divinely Commissioned Teach
eTs went forth teaching everything that
was expressed and implied in their com
mission, and we fail to note anything in
their lives and teaching that would seem
TO sanction the practice Of polygamy.-
just as well, 1--WE think try to convince
Mr. Mackley that Mr.. Hayes Southern
policy is a wise and just measure, as tC
try to convince. the intelligent pious
Christian people of the present day, tha
the disgusting practice of polygamy hai
any Divine sanction under the reign o
Christ and aside from the fact that the
Christian economy neither in spirit moi
word, affords any comfort to the adhe
rents of the practice in question The
fact chat il is so disgusting to US, anC
does violence to our every sense of pro
priety, is evidence that il belongs will
the things of the past. and that We arr
living in the light and under the iniiu
ence of dispensation of better things.
Respectfully,
< II RoccEss