The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-05-09
Church p~o civii governments.
Norfolk. Va. May s. 1sas

| ANSi AoiN, a., may O, 1850.
In the discussion OF the matters that
now interest Church and State all over
our country the heading OF this article
IS the next subject In order following
| that in The Nirginian of April 90, Pull
pit versus Reform Politics." Certainly
II is worth while to consider these ques-
| tions SO that the loyal citizen may not
De misled: verify II Is all important to
| study the relationS and attitudes of
great systems so that religious, pro-
| scription and persecution may not CO.
cree men to violate their honest convic-
lions of right and duty In this republic
of the United States OF America. Per-
sonar FAVOR and pet measures involved
In the local politics of Norfolk ought
not to be allowed to bias the better
judgment of honest and conscientious
| citizens. much less to influence the con.
duct of men In high position In church
ana society, so as to warp, IL not vio-
late, principles essential in perpetuatin
me republic and I'm maintaining the
state and Church In the performance of
their distinct functions respectively.
| Political morals should be held as
| sacredly inviolate by the conscientious
citizen as the discipline OF Church is
by the model Christian. Truth can
| never be investigated, nor correct prin-
ciples elucidated when great men allow
| their prejudices to run against n party
because some prominent leader has
made failure and had his followers.
Great men VIII never modify their prin-
ciples to accommodate the tastes and
| tendencies of men on a lower level. who
VIII never accept the invitation TO come
up higher and grow illustrious in sys-
TENS as solid and determined as the
| Creators systems of worlds.
civil government Is the instrument of
GOD, as much as the church Is his in
stitution And this following is a bold
assertion: Civil government does not
necessarily presuppose or stipuate under
IL me existence OF such character as
Christian. On thu other hand IL does
not presume 10 preclude the disciples of
The Lord Jesus. But mos. alphabetically
It's prime object ii 10 protect the people
| that the strong do not Cypress the weak;
that freedom be assured 10 the citizens;
that the human Will untrammelled by
mans dictum may eXalt that liberty
which is greater bequest from the AL
mighty than crown on the head of
any of earth's potsntates. The sover-
| eighty of the human will is the greatest
of which the mind can conceive and
the fullness and broadn.sss of American
freedom ale unparalleled. There is a
song aIinging through the air: II swells
over the oceans wave; 1t watts over
plain and valley: II Uses over the APP
| palachians and the Rockies: II sounds
| from sea to seat is the song of free
dom. And the man that steps to the
door of his tent to-day and says, The
American Eagle has too wide Il range
| let's shoot 1t and bring it down and
| fetter its wing" wants to employ meas
ures to effect political ends that are in
Vasions of will sovereignty and viola
tons of citizens liberty. This Is q man
with no political morality. But they
| say The Government licenses that
which is wrong and the church can't
| make and Roadway when such is the
| case" The Government protects the clti-
| zens in the free agency of will power and
| II men, In the enjoyment of liberty. fol-
| low pursuits inim!cal TO their eternal well
| fare. the President is not responsible
| though he may be- firm believer In
| the Christian religion. The srandest
| fact in the whole matter is that the
same Government assures to every citi-
| zen the liberty 10 use. without molesta-
| ton, the license high heaven grants to
do that which is right and good. AIsn
| should magnify their laudations for a
| free country and should not despise the
lGovernment because citizens abuse their
| liberty. And they say, wv. can't vote
| for certain measures because they in
clude license TO do business contrary TO
our faith IIeresy! Yes, they would
tuln their backs on the State that pro-
tects the church. because al the same
time it licenses msn in business which
in the exercise of will and liberty. they
choose to follow. The Governor is not
morally responsible for the doings OF
tn citizens in this privilege. though he
may be the hottest man in the Common
wealth.
The word OF inspiration from Gcd's
servant of old speaks on this wise
Choose you this day whom ye Will
serve" and the fact that men love dark
ness rather than light does not reflect
the slightest shad5w on the throne of the
Divine Majesty
And they say. I'VE can't affiliate with
the party because there are. bad men
in it," On the same principle. any good
man might throw himself out OF church
fellowship. The Master said. Let both
grow together until the harvest"
And another says, IT can't vote with
the party because II supports an admin
!stratien that licenses that which | am
conscience-bcuno to oppose. The STATE
stands for the citizen without regard to
his religious scruples or predictions.
1t can't coerce men into the Christian
faith. Yet 1t puts no embargo on Di-
vine grace. 1t is the servant of God to
defend the sovereignty OF Will, and the
native freedom of Republican liberty
No Cody man will be held responsible
or the deed of the ungodly, who directs
MS will to the abuse Of his freedom. 4
man Wills 10 manufacture alcohol. An
other Wills to drink ii when /. Is made
II the Christian Is to be held responsible
for the sin of will of the former he must
also for that Of the latter. II this Is the
correct principle in the matter of intoxi-
cants, ii must be in all manner of human
RIGHTEOUSNESS. Heresyi They said unto