The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-02
LIVE TO THE LAW.
Rev. F. d. Powers on the Duties of
Man to God and to the state.

| Rev. F. d. Powers on the Duties o.
Man to God and to the State.
Vermont Avenue Christian Church Sun
| day morning services were held at Il
O'Clock. The pulpit was filled by Rev. F
D. Powers, pastor of the church, who de-
livered the sermon from the text, There.
| fore, render unto Caesar the things that
are Caesars. and unto God the things tina,
are Gods" Matthew, xxii:21. Rev. Dr.
Powers said, in part:
I'm the entangling question Of the
Pharisees there is called forth the enuncia-
! ton of a divine law by our Lord, which
| should govern US, in our relations to the
| law. Peter exhorts all men to be srbordi-
nate to all government, whether OF kings
or magistrates. Is not the man of God a
citizen as well as Christian? Has he not
duties to the state as well as to God2 In
everything that belongs to man. in every
thing that interests man. religion has It's
part. His religion should make him a good
| citizen. 1 do not say that every man
| should be politician.
Our Lord very clearly establishes the
empires of heaven and of earth. and de-
| fines the boundaries between them. The
| image Of Caesars head on piece of money
denoted that the coin pertained to Caesar.
The image Of God stamped upon human
heart denotes that that heart belongs to
God. Is there any conflict? II you render
unto Caesar the things that are Caesars.
Caesar will be satisfied. Render unto God
the things that are Gods, and he also will
be content.
What shall be rendered unto Caesar?
Paul says render unto every man his due
To render unto Caesar the things that be-
long to Caesar the laws must be observed
Pay your taxes. 1t is the due OF tine Gov
eminent. You owe support to the Gov
eminent for all the legitimate expenses OF
the support of law and order. The support
of great standing armies and the conduct
OF terrible wars is an expense that is not
Justly due the government. II there are
abuses of this kind the people must reform
them. Not by resisting the law, but by
changing the law through legislation.
Tribute to whom tribute Is due What
does this mean? Exhibit a proper rever
euce for the laws and show obedience to
their requirements. Why should not men
give obedience to the laws? Especially in
trolled by themselves. When the laws have
been properly enacted they are to be rev.
erenced by the people. Laws should be
stronger than force. Men should respect
them and fear to break their provisions 1t
is higher honor in America to be an
American than it was in Rome to be
Roman In America a man rules for him
sell. he prays for himself. he fights for
himself, and he pays for all. He is king,
and priest, and soldier, and laborer
Honor, respect. and obedience to the
laws we owe to Caesar besides tribute and
fear Order is the law Of God 1t rules
the universe. No one is independent. alb
solutely free. Freedom is entirely rela-
tive
There Is no possible conflict between
the church and state. Even II the govern
ment claims the right to control the
morals and make laws for the observance
of righteous things. there need be no clash
Let the laws that come down from the
capital be such as Christian men will ap-
prove and the state will approve alike, and
there will be no conflict. We owe our laws
to Christ: we owe our society to him: we
owe our customs to him: We owe our civil
ization to him. Christ lived. Did ever
anyone. live like him? He taught. Did
ever yyone teach like he taught? He
dietSDid ever anyone die like he died?
He was hero. Was ever any such a hero
before or since2 He gave his observance
to the laws. and gave US laws such as no
lawgiver has ever given u.s."