Year: 1860




"Render therefore unto Caesar the things that
are Cesar's and unto God the things thai are
Gods."-MATT. xii. 81.


When our Savior was on earth he was con-
stantly in the midst of crafty and bitter enemies
who omitted no effort and passed by opportu-
nifty to turn tbs current of popular prejudice a.
gainst him. he lived under a government that
had been forced upon his people by an iron arm
oipower. The'glory ofancient Israel had de-
parted, and instead of an independent nation,
in the full tide prosperity, with David or
Solomon upon the throne, they were depen-
dency Of the Roman Empire, paying tribute to
foreign power. This was to them a heavy
burden, and grievous to be borne. But the
sword Of mighty empire was over their heads,
and they must submit, the only alternative be-
ing rebellion; and that, under the crcumstan-
ces, would have been Madness Of course, the
Jews, in their hearts, held the levyng Of tribute
upon them BY the Roman Government to be
an act of injustice and oppression. But, to as
sert that conviction openly, WAS reasonable,
and would be likely to bring them in collision
with the authorities of the State. These cir
cumstances afforded fine opportunity for the
Pharisees to make an attempt to involve him in
difficulty. So they consulted together, and
concluded that they would go to him with pro-
fessions Of great respect for his wisdom and
boldness OF speech, and put the question to him
plainly, whether or not he held and taught that
it was lawful to pay tribute to Caesar?


So far as their object was concerned, it mat
tered not whether he answered one way or the
other. Ifhe said yea, it is lawful, they would
brand him rs traitor to his own people. If
he said nay they would denounce him to the
rulers as mover Of sedtion. They proceeded
with great caution, and were careful to have
the right kind of witnesses present. They sent
their own disciples, and with them some Of the
Herodians; and they came to him and said
"Master, we know that thou art true, and
teachest the way of God in truth; neither carest
thou for any man, for thou regardest not the
person of men. Tell us, therefore, what thou
thinkest? Is it lawful to pay tribute to Caesar
or not? Tho hypocrisy of the thing is trans
parent The profession of confidence in him as
teacher of the way of God in truth, was simp-
ly false, for they believed no such thing.


The design was merely, to throw him off his
guard, and get HIM to commit himself on one
side or the other of this exciting question. The
craft, however, was consumate. Often they
had sought to entangle him IN his talk, that
they might find an occasion against him, but
without success; but now they thought they
him as friends, proessedly believing in him as
teacher of truth, and haying great respect for
his boldness, and candor and they really want
ed to know whether or not one so wise thought
it was lawful to pay tribute to Caesar! 1t was
clear case of conscience with them and his
opinion would be Of great value in the premi-
ses! And there were the witnesses, ready to
note the answer, so that there should be no
the disguise they wore, and revealed them in
their true character, he said, Why tempt ye
me, ye hypocrites? Show me the tribute mon
ey.' And they brought him penny. And he





And they said unto him, Caesars. And he
said, Render, there fore, unto Caesar the things
that are Cesar's, and unto God the things that
are Gods"


The controversy thus ended, and they mar
yelled and went their way with their whole
scheme frustrated. He settled the question, as
he settled all others, by an appeal to great
principle. Give to Caesar that which belongs
to him. IT. as ye confess, this penny bears
Caesars mark of ownership, then let him have
it, but be careful that you do also your duty to
God.


The subject thus opened is that ofduty to
God and the State; and may object is to consid,
or, mainly, that aspect of it which applies to
the teachers Of religion and the Christian pull
pit; though, OF course, the same principles Of
duty apply to all men.


There is agitated among us. about these days,
grave and serious question as to the sphere Of
the pulpit, and the subjects Of which it should
treat. There are some, and they are not few,
who claim that it is the duty of the pulpit to
denounee all wrong, in whatever form it may
appear, and alike in individuals or the State
Hence, that the affairs OF the State are legti-
mate subjects for discussion. Nay, more, that
when the Government enacts or upholds by
its policy wrong, it is the duty of the pulpit
to denounce it, Anything short of this they
regard as an abridgment of the liberty OF the
pulpit, which, they insist, should be free
Hence, in times Of great political excitement,
when the blood is up, aud the public beats ft-
fully and feverishly' there are Ministers enough,
who, instead af possessing their souls in pa
tience, and exhibiting before their people an ex-
ample Of calm equanimity and Christian COM
posure, think it their duty to plunge into the
sesthing cauldron and fan the fame, that it
may burn with yet more vehement heat. An
outbreak in neighboring State, which sends a
thrill of Excitement throughout the Union, and
stirs up the elements of strife in our family of
States. becomes to such men o God-Send, af-
Erding capital opportunity for a splendid
ssensatioa Sermon in which heroes and martyrs
are manufactured OF material that is at least
questionable. And thus fuel is added to the
fire already burning with vehement heat. This
is not all the preachers fault, II it be faults for
there ere people enough who sympathize with
this view OF the matter, and are loud in their
applause OF the fearlessness of the pulpit But