Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1905-02-07
DEsEKEr NEWS PHONES.
GOD IN CIVIL GOVERNMENT.

GOD IN CIVIL GOVERNMENT.
In n religious publication called 1.-THE
Christian Statesman" published In
Pittsburg, Pa. we lind an article on
"Our National Christianity and Funda-
mental Law" II argues IN favor Of tho
Incorporation into our national Constl-
tuition and laws the acknowledgment
Of Almighty God as the source Of all
authority IN civil government, Of the
Lord Jesus Christ as the ruler OF ma
tlons, and OF His revealed viii as the
supreme standard to decide moral is.
sues IN national life" Reasons are ad-
yanced why this should be done,
II ia declared that the nation gets
It's being from God and has fixed for it
by Him It's place IN time and terri
tory" That "the lifa Of the nation Is In
Gods hands TO be taken away at Hs
pleasure" That government itself,
which is for the execution Of the ma.
tlon's WILL is divine ordinance and cl-
VII rulers are the ministers OF Cod"
The conclusion Is reached that God is,
then the source Of all authority in civil
government Jesus Christ rightful
king and the Bible the supreme law
that these are simply matters Of fact,
established by divine revelation, and
are beyond dispute by believers IN the
Bible and should be suitably acknowl-
edged by nation that Is 70 undoubted-
~ Christian"
We have only given the gist OF the
article, which Is lengthy II not pro-
found We do not direct attention TO II
because we endorse the sentiments II
contains, but simply TO show what re-
ligious ministers and associations,
which are not Mormon" can put forth
without arousng hostility from Con-
gress, or committees, or learned law
yers hired 10 place the Mormon"
Church IN hostile attitude, which II
does not itself assume, toward the
Government Of the United states, II
this Church were TO formally promul-
gate such notions ms are set forth IN
The Christian Statesman. what an OPP
portunlty would be afforded for such
casusts as Mr., Tayler, now a Federal
Judge to indulge In splenetic and in
dlgnant denunclations!
Tho idea that this nation must "sus-
tain relationship definite and real to
Gods revealed win, which Is It's SUI
preme law" II something startling, in
view OF the theory set forth IN the re-
cent investigation before the committee
on privileges and elections OF the United
States Senate, that any man who be-
heves In revelation from God isunft to
be United States Senator We regard
both notions az extreme and out OF
harmony with the genius ~ our ma
tlonal Constitution and laws,
The Government Of the United states
Is a government Of the people, by the
people and for the people" 1t dis
claims all authority TO regulate In mat.
ters Of religion, II could be carried on
by individuals who have no faith In
God and make no acknowledgment Of
Ills power over nations or individuals,
And It leaves those citizens who recog
nize the Supreme Being as the Author
OF all good and power and authority
IN the heavens and on the earth, to
hold to their Faith and acknowledge
God az their spiritual ruler, 30 long as
that does not interfere with their duties
OF citizenship and their fealty TO this
earthly government
Belief in revelation lies a. the very
foundation W am forms Of religion,
whether Christian or otherwise, Divine
revelation and inspiration are the al
legged source Of every creed that COM
mands or has commanded the devotion
OF human beings, In every age and cy-
cry land To deny divine revelation Is
TO reject religion entirely But II will
he argued opposition 10 present revela-
ton does not necessarily imply hostility
10 the Bible or revelations from God Ia
man IN past ages, The logic CD that ad-
mts the fact OF divine communications
at one time and denies ia possibility
ae another time, does not rise above the
level Of Inconsistency and absurdity
The Bible. which is claimed az Tho
religious guide OF all ChrIstendom, not
only contains revelations from Deity In
past ages, but speaks most positively
Of revelations to be given IN after
years and especially N the latter days
But II no such promises were contained
in that book common sense would beai
out the reasoning, that II revelation
could be given from God TO man IN on,
age OF the world, IL can he given also II
another, unless It be either that God
loses the power OF communication Of
that man becomes UNIT or unable TO re.
celve II.
Why man who believes In ancient
revelations should be competent to sl