Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-07-11

the home circle has been the startling oc
currence at Homestead. The various phase
of the conflict between the workmen ant
the Pinkertons and, laterly, the attitude o
the Carnegie Company and its leaders, tn,
intentions of the Sheriff, the Governor ant
the labor organizations have formed in
exhaustible subjects for discussion ant
argument in every circle. 1t was to
have been expected, under these cir.
cumstances that the pastors would take
into consideration the Importance OF
the matter and make it the
principal portion of their themes In antic.
ipation of obtaining advice and light on
the questions at issue from q theological
standpoint, most of the churches were more
largely attended than usual yesterday morn
ing. In some instances the matter was
barely referred to, while in others 1t was
made the text from which the entire ser
mon was drawn.
AT the Point Breeze Presbyterian Church,
which was filled almost beyond its capacity,
Rev. Dewitt n. Benhsm delivered forci-
BILE sermon at the morning service on "Re-
spect for the Law" His text was Romans
1871, 'Let every soul be subject unto the
higher powers; for there is no power but
of God; and the powers that be are Or
dained of God"
Position Of the Early Christians.
The speaker went on to describe the con-
dition of the early Christians under the
Jewish rule He told of the animosity
which existed against them among the
higher classes and people in power in
Judea, and went on to the attempts of the
Roman authorities to suppress Christianity.
The Jews themselves were also prosecuted
in Rome, and they frequently rose in insur-
rection; and il was to warn Christian con-
verts against such outbreaks that Paul
wrote the sentence which was quoted in the
text. The Christians might have argued of
their heather rulers of Rome: ''They are
wicked. They are often unjust. They have no
fear of God. They oppress the slave. They
have no respect for his rights or for his
life. Their tribute demanded from the
provinces is heavy and exorbitant Their
laws are unfair. They discriminate in
favor of the classes and against the masses
The rich live in luxury: the poor exist in
squalor. They prescribe our religion and
attempt to prevent our worship. Are we
not justified in resisting them? Have we
not reason to refuse submission to such
authorities Are we not excusable il we
disturb the peace?" These early Christians
might have argued thus. They had all these
facts upon their side. They might have
foA &bar ,r r,n of fho,r
right to resist the powers.
Bold Advice From an Apostle.
'rNot So" says the apostle; "you are in
error in this matter. Your statements are
true, but your conclusions are false. You
are not justified in revolt. These men are
heather, but their power has been given
them of God. He has allowed them to ex-
ercise it. They are your civil magistrates
You must submit to them or remove them
legally. You must obey the laws as they
stand or alter them constitutionally This
was bold language for the apostle to use
He ran the risk of rendering himself un-
popular with those whom he was address,
ing. But he was no demagogue. He was
not to be turned by fear or favor. He was
an apostle of Christ and man of Judgment
and jecision-impulsive, but self-controlled.
He was not one to play upon the pas
sions of men. He did not care
to utter dangerous sentiments He
weighed well his words, knowing
that he was responsible for them. If what
be spoke led men astray he knew that he
was accountable. Words may be as terrible
as explosives. They should be guarded
carefully. Paul was faithful to his convic-
tions and considerate in expressing his
opinions He was a peacemaker-not a
peace disturber; reconciler of disputes
not turbulent creator of discord. He pre-
ferred rather to educate than to voice pub
lie opinion. He was wise man, strong
man, a consecrated man, Holy Ghost led
man, and the man for the occasion. With
out him the Church might have drifted far.
But God chose him and placed him at the
helm. And when at the helm his head was
clear enough, his hand firm enough to guide
the Gentle Christian over storm-tossed
seas.
DIR. Benham then went on to explain the
relations of the individual to the state,
and to hold that his text did not forbid but
opened the way for governmental changes
when things went wrong He held that
revolutions were permissible, because they
represent radical changes in public senti-
ment Lawlessness, however, was to be de-
plored. Men must respect the duly con-
into their own hands and execute it as they
see fit. Mob rule is as irreligious as it is
illegal. When life is taken by mob the
act is unjusti6able murder 1t is useless to
seek to palliate crime. 1t cannot be ex-
cused. Right is right, and wrong is wrong.
Gaining an Unenviable Name.
Unfortunately we are gaining the name
of being people given to outbreaks of vio-
lence. While men were commenting upon the |
remarks of DIR. Charles Fl. Payne before the |
Methodist General Conference in which he |
stated that during the war 100 negroes had |
been lynched, seven burned alive, one |
hsyed alive and one digjointed, the news |
came of that disgraceful affair at Port Jer-
Wis in the very heart of the North. Nor |
has the memory of that brutal, unjustifable |
assassination of unarmed and defenseless 1
italians in :he Jail of New Orleans yet /
passed from the public mind It is strange,
indeed, that in a country governed by the |
people the people should treat with such
contempt their established institutions for
administering Justice. Is it possible that
popular government is too weak to secure |
Justice and punish crime and enforce |
its own Iawe? We should be sorry
to say the people are unfit and
unable to govern themselves Dr.. Benham
proceeded to discuss the likelihood that the