The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-04-18
UNCONVENTIONAL INDEPEN-
DENOY.
BY JACOB sTRAUB, D. D.

0>SSSSSSSSSSS SSSSSSSSSSSs ~
delicious principles seek or
LIZ ganization as naturally as do
those of the State. Organization is
sought for related class of truths
deemed profitable to the parties in
terested. All this is plain to all. In
consequence people seek for their
ideas of civil relations, State. In
order thereunto compact is entered
with provisions for the application of
the preferred views. In an enlight-
ened community constitution with
laws is adopted; and the machinery
of government is then in place, after
which are installed the agents to op
crate it,
1t is now at the service of all, ac
oording to its provision to promote
the interest of all. For the advan-
tages it supplies there are surrenders
of views of minor importance, sacri-
fee that is indispensable to existence
under any conditions. One cannot
live here and yonder at the same
time, or eat of the good things on
this table and at the same time enjoy
the relishes on the other table. 1t is
a matter of choice between condi
tions and their several advantages as
to present and prospective good.
In this compact of State, not alone
does one part with some personal
privileges deemed rightful and just,
but certain ideas of truth as well he
holds in allegiance, perhaps tenta-
lively, for the sake of the compact
containing the more essential truths
and privileges. While truth is al
ways of the first order of sanctity
and rightfully claims the first alle-
glance as being always the voice of
God, mistakes in regard to it are pos
sible with the most favored intelli-
gence. He is but one of the compact,
and can no more ask another to part
with his convictions than he can ask
himself to do so.
The State hedges itself about with
safeguards it deems necessary for its
existence and perpetuation. 1t pro-
vides for the existence of its own cor
porate being, the spread of the prin-
ciples underlying it, and the strength
ening and multiplication of its insti
tutions; and it maintains watchful
discrimination between what is for it
and what against And the general
principle is as true of monarchies as
it is of republics.
Republics, with all their claims to
liberty, contemplate only such lib
erty as befalls within prescribed law;
and, with monarchies, make treason
capital offence.
Such are the requisites of the State,
and where they fall into disuse popu-
lar confidence ceases, financial ia
vors are withdrawn, institutions Ian
guish, itself becomes the prey of fac
tions, and finally the spoil of neigh
boring powers.
Furthermore, the policy of central
ization in government meets with
universal approval in matters of
State. The fathers of the Republic
were not content with merely federal
relations. A stronger bond was re
quired, and government with a COM
manding head, that needed RESPONSE
bilities could be assumed that other
wise could not be. The principles of
civil liberty and all allied interests
were regarded more secure. More
loyalty, truer patriotism, safer insti-
tutions, and better credits would re.
suit.
But recently did the whole country
look upon an object lesson, verifying
all. Civil liberalism broke forth in
riotous strikes, defying law and the
authorities and terrorizing communi-
ties by the swell mobs of their politi-
cal brethren. Local restraints were
overridden in their indisposition or
lack of power; and order and the re-
sumption of business were alone
forthcoming by way of the strong
arm of the central government.
What is thus true of the State must
certainly be true of the church. If
the State cannot be expected to exist
without compact of laws and rules
necessary to its bodily preservation,
neither can the church; which, too, is
the corporate existence of a class of
co-ordinated principles cherished by
a community of believers, who are in
terested in their establishment and
extension. The church is working
institution the same as the State. 1t
works for ends the same as the State
does. And in order to do this it has
need of government adequate to
its purposes, that will conserve its in
terests throughout-retain it unit,
| and its forces centralized, What ad-