The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-04-17
CHURCH VERSUS STATE.
''Eureka" Expresses some viows on
the Subject.

Tepuplic therei are momentouS questions
tnat pertain to the purYiew OF insttu-
lions and the balances of justice In
things human and divine civil and &C.
ciesiastic. When an oppressed people
sought n place OF refuge and found the
shores OF newly discovered country,
some centuries ago. they did not make
the land any more Gods than 1t had
been since the creation. Our national
ancestors justly have the credit of hav-
ing made two great plants on the flee
SOIL OF America. simultaneously the
seeds of each began to terminate and
the process went on until the nuclei OF
Two great institutions were fixed in the
history ad destiny of the nation, viz,
the church and the State. Although ali
that came TO the new country were ELI
glole TO the immunities OF both institu-
tons, yet each was essentially a system
separate and distinct from the other,
no man. or set of men. in the world
having the divinely power and authority
10 unite the two systems. In the pro-
cess of maturing andy perfecting the
State, civil government was evolved for
purposes of protection to citizens in the
industries they mighu follow in develop
Ing the resources of the new world, and
In the enjoyment of the liberty. the Fed
eral constitutions guaranteed all the citi-
zens of the republic of the United States
of America. 1t is TO be granted that out.
side the admission OF the fact that the
Bible had been introduced and even
the church opened. the Almighty had an
eye to all that was going on in the
Western world. as his hand is always
to be recognized in the affairs of nations
and dynasties, strangers to the world
and Will of God. But the advent of his
church here with the energy of the
Christian faith was for purposes inf
nitely higher than subservience to affairs
of State and schooling in national ethics
The original design of the church, which
was apparent when Christ announced
Upon this, rock l will build my church
and the gates of hell shall not prevail
against it" was not altered in the least
when on American soil God gave 1t
place. First. last and TO the end of
time the words of Christ are authorita-
tive and Interchangeable INV Kingdom is
not Of this world" The church has a
place in this world to hold up the cross
of Christ to all the nations and 10 con-
tain the oracles-the gospel which is the
power of God unto salvation TO every
one that beievieth." Clearly II may
be seen that its dispense zion is not to
dethrone Caesar, not 10 deoose Agrippa,
not to interiors with dynastics. not TO
establish temporal Kingdoms, but simply
to save souls. This 1t must do by obey
ing the commission, GO We. therefore
and teach all nations. bap,izine them in
the name of the Father and of the Son
and of the Holy Ghost"
At this date of the worlds history
and this stage OF advancement of Ameri-
can growth and degree of Christian in
1uence, IL is not impairment to inquire Is
the church the mother of the republic.
or the republic the mother OF the church
and are the church and the State sisters
or daughters of the republic? 1t is easy
to get out of this labyrinth of questions
by quoting from the ritual of the branch
of the Christian Church that claims 10
have thu inritv IN ba
United States: Brethren. the church
is of God and will be preserved TO the
end of time for the promotion OF his
worship and the due administra ton OF
his word and ordinanccs-the maintain
ancc OF Christian Fellowship and disci.
ping. the edilica;ion of believers and
the conversion of the 'would." With
the lights. therefore. of the foregoing
ii is as clear as sunshine that the pur-
view of church and State is essentially
separate and distinct. But may not a
church member hold office? Certainly
And may not a citizen. without regard
20 faith, be eligible to office? Why not?
There should be no prescription.
The condition of affairs. civil and &C.
clcsiastic, existing to-day In this country
presents a spectacle worth while TO
study. With the civil code for the State
and the ritual for thu church to guide
the ship of Zion and the ship of State
each into its port of safety. there is
nevertheless a clash or compromise OF
systems that warrants tho question
Where are the lines of separa ton 2"
Or under the benign influence of Ameri-
can liberty have the two become one?
Monstrosity of a question, The distin-
suished representatives of the church are
often heard to affirm now days there
are more good men and women in the
world to-day than ever before. Well Is
the church infallible? on the other
hand, from n political standpoint. the
same ORGIES will declare there Is more
corruption to-day than ever before; the
nation is STEPPED in it," What a con-
tradiction. But the orcles should at
least be rslia BILE. If the halls of legisla-
ton have beco'a: beclouded with sem
suality and corruption and the temple
of justice devoted to bribery and fraud
SO that there is no law and order. on the
other hand may II not be asked, sis it
not possible that the sanctuary be made
like unto childiNn's playhouse and
religion played with as a toy?" Look
here. Where lies the responsibility?
Where are all the good men" of the
land. In the church. of course. Who
are the corrupt politicians that are such
a menace to peace and safety? Why
largely they are the same. identified with
some branch of the Christian Church
Is there any such thing as church gov
erlment? Is the thing of any moral
fonce? Does it subscrve thu establish
ment of christian fellowship and dis
cipline?" Why. then. do the good men"
in church turn out TO me rescals in
State? The ultimate question to ask Is,
"a nj n1 fNtn tbn oh rrl,g