Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-11-09
cRlTIclsEs THE SITUATION.
Reformed Presbyterian Pastor Says Il
Is Not Satisfactory.
rchicapo Record-Herald.


Morning Sun, Iowa, Oct. 25.-Editol
Record Herald: In an editorial in YOU
PAPER Of recent date you attack the Re
formed Presbyterian church because 9
presbytery has confirmed the suspension
OF member who, in becoming natu'
rallied citizen, had violated his covenant
with the church in swearing an oath OF
allegiance to the United States govern.
ment.
Reformed Presbyterian take the WORD
of God, as contained In the scriptures
as the only rule of faith and of life
They hold that their first allegiance il
due to God. They believe that scripture
which says. There is no power but OF
God: the powers that be are ordained OF
God" (Rom. Kill. -, and hold that this
being true, civil governments should for
mally acknowledge the author of theil
being and of their prosperity. They be.
lieve that Jesus Christ spoke the truth
when he said, "All power Or. V. author
ity) Is given to Me In heaven and in the
earth,'' and hold that He has the right
to authority over all nations, and that
governments should formally acknowi-
edge this fact. They refuse to identify
themselves with any organization which
does not render allegiance to God and
His Son, Jesus Christ.
You practically admit that the consti-
tuition of the United States does not ac-
knowledge God. Your words are "Our
constitution. they say, Is immoral, pre-
sumably because it is not religious
document. dedicated to the Deity Pu;
II that way If you wish. The fact is pat
ent, it does not acknowledge the Deity
In any way. Timothy Dwight. LII D..
quondam president OF Yale University,
said: The constitution OF the United
States would require no change to adapt
II to MohammedaE country"
appeal to Christians. Are you salts
fed with such constitution? Reformed
Presbyterians are not. They are not
satisfied with constitution which ig-
pores the God OF nations and refuses
recognition to Jesus Christ. the king of
nations, and makes itself and other
man-made documents "the supreme law
OF the land" They, with William III.
Seward. appeal to "the higher law"
They decline to identify themselves with
a government which licenses and pro-
tects the liquor traffic, and requires its
to open postoffices and to car
ry and distribute mails. including Sun
Gay newspapers, on the Lords day.
If to take this position is. as you
charge. Ito give lessons in disloyalty."
then Reformed Presby eterians are dis
oyal. But they deny the charge. Re
formed Presbyterians believe that the
is in most respects, an ex-
sellent document. and that the govern
ment under 1t is the best in the world.
They are peaceable and law-abiding cit
zens They cheerfully pay their taxes;
ray as fully for protection and privileges
,s any class Of citizens. Many OF them
ought in the union army during the war
Il the rebellion. There was not rebel
among them.
Yet they testify against the constitu-
ion and the government because they
regard these as out of harmony with the
aw of Christ. They claim the God
given right to think and to act for
themselves, and that no man has right
to condemn them In that which God al
ows. C. d. TRUMBULL.
Pastor of the Reformed Presbyterian
Church.