The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-04-17
..Whnt Is truth ?"---Piln:c.

political or civilized world seems Il
have been learned by John, to whom
was revealed the things to come. he
saw beast rise up out Of the sea, hav'
ing seven heads and ten horns, and
upon each horn was diadem.
One Of the prominent governments
for the past eighteen hundred years
has been Great Britain, whose capital
is on an island "out of the sea-" upon
whose domain the sun docs not cease
to shine, and whose lands extend t.
every clime-great in wealth, great in
power, great in civilization; heads
horns, and diadems lords, kings, and
civil law. An occurrence Of which is
fitting, and resembles the beast. Sa'
tan is entitled to all this, for it is OF
the world. And we find in these eX
hibits the origin of that law, that
power. that civilization, which is only
n beast compared with the Just One
he who rehullcs many peoples. Their
law, is it not for safety? Their civili'
zation, is it not for gain, and their pow
cr for aggression and egrandiZement?
The observing and discerning mind
will perceive that these lords and
kings, and teulal maXims, are but the
adverse Of Christianity.
Again John informs us that he saw
another beast rise up out of the earth,
and having two horns like Il lamb.
The first beast rose up out of the sea
but this other one out of the earth.
And may we not suppose that its two
horns typified union of power not
unlike the Constitution and Congress
of America?
Its law-making, its civilization, like
that Of English-its eagle and their
lion do not favor Christianity.
Their laws, the fundamental princi-
pie of which is for safety in the ac-
cumulatiOm Of wealth, stand opposel
in their very declaration 10 the author
ity of Him who said, My kingdom is
not of this world.' lie shall rebuke
many peoples.
These are facts concerning which
1--WE have many things to say, and
that which is difficult to explain, be-
cause you have become dull of hear
ing" You who "ought to be teach
erS," have need to learn the first rudi-
mcnts of the Christian religion. We
need to cry aloud with words that
burn that your perceplive faculties
may be awakened to discern between
the things that differ. That the juris-
prudence of the courts is adverse to
Christianity is abundantly evident, al
though in some points they are in mar
mony, and have for their object the
well-being Of man. Yet the source
and character of many, very many
constitutional and congressional acts
are directly or indirectly opposed to
that authority which is from Heaven.
Is not uog domestic animal
made 50 by civilization, training, and
withal very..sociable; but he is never
theless dog.
Lords and kings, those in authority,
the powers that he, are i'll open rebel
lion against Him whose kingdom, be-
cause OF its character and object, is not
Of this world. Under the rule of this
beast no one can buy or sell without
the mark" legal authority, dictates
cunningly devised for the safety and
power OF wealth. TO this end we
have political strife, military bands,
fortresses, all marshaled for protection
and aggression in the same manner as
Of old, and in the name of the Consti-
tuition and 1.-THE Continental Con-
gress."
But we have the authority Of Him
who spake not us man, and whose
words were accompanied by signs and
miracles, that he who seeketh to save
his life other than by peaceable means
shall lose it; that is shall not attain to
tile life to come, eternal life.
What, then, as Christians, can be
our duty in the work of progressive
civilization but to labor as party sep
arate and distinct; Il peculiar party,
whose chief object is to convert by ;tg.
gression to faith "once delivered 10 the
saintsm
The union, the proposed fellowship
the deceptive and hypocrilical con-
nectiOns, are a snare, Il delusion tG
captivate and lead aslray, and to end
| in DESTRUCTION.
TO those whom it may concern We
have this declaration, that NO imam
can serve TWO masters" &. =. ii.