Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1882-12-09

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Gods blessing is limited to any one
form OF government, if only princi
pies are followed which He approves.
1t is in view of this that the Divine
word exhorts that Prayer shall be
made for Magistrates and Kings.
In this peculiar sense, while doing
right, governments of varied form
are ordained of God"
Therefore would it be wise for US
to have a care before we espouse the
cause of every one who seeks a
change in or deliverence from the
reins of constituted authority lest in
our laundering we turn back the
wheel of human freedom and pro-
gress.
With this observation, remark
/. That government only can look
for eXaltation from God, which re-
cOgniZeS His interest in the affairs
Of the race, and is guided by the Di-
vinely revealed principles OF His law.
This, | believe, includes the recog
milton of personal Divine Being in
the fundamental charter of the ma
ton and in the laws made under the
same.
In the only code of law ever given
to a nation direct from Heaven, this
was incorporated, not as one of the
fundamental principles merely, but
as the great corner stone of law and
order. II am the Lord thy God
that brought thee out of the house
of bondage. Thou shalt have no
other Gods before me-" In their re
cognition of Himself as their foun-
der was His face to shine upon them.
Failing at this point, they should
walk in gloom. This resolve OF the
Deity, in all their life as a nation
stands forth, beyond controversy, in
woful or happy execution. Is it wise
then, for a nation to close its eyes to
the only Divinely planned common
wealth, which plants Sinai as its
everlasting monument and SO stands
out in the worlds history profane
and sacred, that he who runs may
read ?
The best civilization, too, should
not ignore the existence of the king
dom of the Son, the Lord Jesus
Christ, for the ultimate domination
of which the movements of all the
nations are thoroughly controlled by
God. We must agree with those
who find that glorious instrument,
our Constitution, to some extent
lacking at this point. Human rights
should never ignore Divine right.
Cur relation to Gods kingdom, in
deed, constitutes the cornerstone of
all human right. The expression of
the latter should be based on the
former. We ask no State religion;
no legislation in favor of one demon.
inati0n as distinguished from anoth-
er. We ask for no pains or penal
ties. We ask but for fair recogni-
ton in the fundamental law of
Christian land Of the Christians
God.
am glad to say that our own Re-
public has not been entirely lacking
as to Divine recognition. In the ap
pointment of days Of national thanks
giving and humiliation, during the
entire history of the government i'll
the religious services on many pub
lie occasions by appeal to the Di-
vine Being at the inaugurations of
our Chief Magistrates, and of the
Governors of the States in our
Courts of Justice, and in other ways,
right has been followed. In all this
Gods favor has been returned
Still, what | have said is true.
Moreover. clearer recognition Of
the Kingdom of Christ in the pro-
carnations issued from time to time
by the Chief Rulers and Governors,
would certainly remove the painful
impression made on reading the for
NAL aud cautious language almost
invariably used, of studied effort to
ignore all recognition of a Divine
Being who is ruling the nations in
the interest of His Saviot Son.
bear cheerful testimony TO the
pious spirit manifested in the respect
now mentioned, by the Executive at
whose bidding we come here to-day.
Indeed, as year 10y year by pr0clama-
ton of our Presidents the duty of
reverence and gratitude to the Di-
vine Being is formally brought to
the remembrance OF the people and
its observance is more heartily and
universally recognized, it may be
happily taken as a sure indication
that the nation is not, as is too often
supposed, drifting from the f0unda-
lions of Divine blessing. The con
trary is true,
2.Another thing included in ma
tional administration with a view to
God S eXaltatiOn. is the maintenance
of true Justice in our dealings with
other nati0ns.
According TO principles funda-
mental to the human constitution,
such as desire for association. and
protection, and others, well known,
mankind finds itself gathered into
communities. In these there is a
mutual surrender of some individual
rights into the hands of few for
the benefit of the whole. Thus pres.
emily, governments are formed.
These ere long find themselves vori