The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1906-03-28

ence which he always repudfated. Yet on this sole
ground he was ordered by the military authorities
TO cease from the exercise of his ministerial func-
tons and from these only. And when these same
authorities asked him explain his views with a
view to a recall of the order, he declined on the
ground that he did not receive his office from the
State, the State had right to deprive him of if
Hence he could not recognize the States jurisdfc-
ton over him as minister though for the time
In view of the peculiar circumstances, he had
dsobeyed the order commanding him to cease the
exercise of HIS functions
Dr. McPheeters being dead, yet speaketh In
the light of his example exhibited in extreme con-
dtlons there ought to be little practical difficulty
for any sensible minister loyal to Christ the King
of kingdom not of this world, determine in any
given case what his duty is both to Caesar and to
Christ. To say that whenever a political or secu-
lar question rises into the spere morals and re-
ligion, the minister and the church must speak"
is TO surrender all that is contended for by those
who assert the independence of both the Church
and the State with respect to each other, and the
true spirituality of the Church.
1t avails nothing to say that ministers and
churches have right Silent unless God in his
word is silent" The core of the contention is that
GODS word is silent TO any duty which the
Church and her ministers to the State except
that of praying for civil rulers denies that
all Christs people as citizens required to obey
the actually existing rulers except when their COM
mands directly contravene those of Christ. But
their power and Influence Christians are not to
be used to foster political theories of any kind Ac-
coidlhSly congregation, met in Christ's name,
der his commission, to transact business pertain
ing to his kingdom, would say and nothing to
promote or to hinder political revolution or other
less radical movement, though the last member of
the congregation might very properly, as a citizen
take active part in any movement of this character
With some occasional Inconsistencies on the part
of Church courts and individual minister's the con-
tention just set forth is the contention of the
Southern Presbyterian Church. 1t is illustrated
Itraf
article 1t is sustained by the teaching and con-
duct of Christ and his apostles They never spoke
10 caesar with a view of guiding controlling his
political policy Jesus asked on a certain
occasion to speak to who refused to divide
an inheritance with his brother The matter in
VolVed both moral and religious questions Jesus
declined to speak on the ground that he had no
commission to Interfere judge in such matters
on another occasion he was asked to say whether
or not Caesar lawful king in Judea The oIes-
ton involved moral and religious as we'll as polfti-
cal duties. He declined to say; but, knowing that
Caesar was king de facto, he ordered that the du-
ties owed to him be discharged. He himself paid
taxes obeyed the existing laws. But he never in
truded his advice or his commands upon Caesar
When before PLATE trial for his life all he said
in his own defense a word i'm regard TO the
nature of his pretensfons as a king and of tbe
province of his kingdom.
notwithstanding her own occasional inconsistent
cies and those of her minister's the Southern Pres
byterian Church occupies the position contended
for by DR.. McPheeters and others and laid down I'm
the New Testament by Christ and his apostles She
invites the Church Of Christ throughout the world
to join her in giving this testimony through evil re-
port as well good report.
Lexington, Mo.