Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-11-02

We are asked to consider one Of the
NEST vital questions of the hour in this
weeks study. whenever a community
commonwealth or country fails to show
respect for rightful authority its future
is imperiled. 1t is no longer personal
grim pestilence this open Haunting OF
the law, this shameless brutality and
violence, is spreading outward over the
land in overwhelming circles Of terror
ism and atrocious crime" Although we
have many Jeremiahs who are predict
ing gloom and destruction OF the Ma
tons life, the fact that the President
has appointed a crime commission to
study the exact condition OF the Nation
at this hour is prophetic of new day.
The recognition of the country's posi-
BILE peril means that steps will be taken
to curb the disregard of the law and
correct anything in our laws that fos-
tiers the present disregard OF law by SO
many.
Our lesson presents the Masters
teachings concerning the duty OF all to
be loyal to their Nations laws and the
Interpretation of His teachings by both
the Apostles Paul and Peter. his enc
mics had combined their forces In an
effort to catch the new Prophet,
whose growing power and prestige
threatened To overthrow them.
His claims threatened the theoc-
racy. Pharisees and Herodlans, zeal
OTIS of Jewish orthodoxy and hated jew
ish liberals, filled with bitter hatred OF
Jesus, had sunk their differences ana
Joined In an effort to ruin the Lore
Jesus. They approached HIM IN H., a
hypocritical manner, acknowledged tnat
| He was good and that. He was teacner
come from God before they asked Him
dangerous question. They inquired
| that any answer to their question meant
apparent death either by mop or py
! the Roman government.
Far aching Revolutionary Doctrine.
They were not prepared for the reply
that Jesus gave, based upon their COM
mon practice He asked for the temple
! coin" and when they acknowledged tnat
it contained the superscriptlon OF Cae-
sar, He said Render unto Caesar me
! things that are Caesars and unto Goo
| the things that are Gods" Detached
from the events that brougnt them
forth this saying is recognized as one
of the most far-reaching revolutionary
doctrines ever taught by the Master.
THESE words were destined" says
Richter, ito lift empires of their
hinges and to turn the current OF ages
out of its channel"
| lIllS CItdI ISCOslilblOiA "a ,
fold relation to government, human and
divine, was destined to find It's hrSt po-
litical expression in the Constitution OF
our country BY the adoption OF the
first amendment, giving religious liberty
to all of our citizens the principle OF
the separation of church and state be
came definite part of our national po-
ltical ideals and principles OF govern
ment. Our Nation, by this action, foi-
lowed the Masters teachings, which
clearly and concisely pointed out there
was a complete independence between
mems political and spiritual relations
While they are separate and distinct
there is no antagonism between, the
two. According to Christ's teaching
the state has rightful jurisdiction over
tile body, but no State or Legislature
has any right to enter into the sacred
domain of the mind and conscience
In that realm God Is the supreme ruler
. in all things spiritual and religious.
We speak of this principle OF Jesus
as teaching the American ideal OF sep
aration of church and state, yet We d.
not find either In the words of the Lore
Jesus or in the Constitution of ou
country any reference to the Church ii
its idea, essence, or character in an!
!. way" Jesus teaching furnishes thu
basis of the claim that our Government