Year: 1862

/ 70 loyalty, l might rest here upon the Divine


authority Of the text, and simply put you in
mind 10 De subject u princpalities and powers,
and 70 obey magistrates, because God has com


manded it ; and every obedient child of God must
promptly and gratefully respond TO the reminder,
delighting TO do this thing because it is well
pleasing TO the sovereign X ing of Kings.


But while we are not at liberty to wait till we
see the reasOnabeness Of each specific divine
command before obey, are at liberty,
with reverence, to consider how reasonable every
duty is, SO far a. the reasons appear. For while
the obligation TO obey God Is in itself absolute


unequivOcal, and all-suffcient to govern our acts
He is not arbitrary nor unreasonable in any of
his demands.


How obvious at a glance, to every rejecting
mind, are the advantages accruing to society and
to the individual from cherishing that spirit of
loyalty to civil rulers which is here enjoined.


Consider how promotive of public and personal
peace it is.


If political strifes and contentious are ever


necessary, they are necessary evils, Just as blis-


tering and bleeding and amputdtion are painful
necessities, if by neglect, or abuse. calamity,


the occasion for such remedies may arise. OppO-


sitiOn to constituted authority, if ever allowable,


is exceptional and undesirable. 1t is not in


itself attitude most favorable to ones indiyid-


ual peace of mind, enjoyment in life, or


growth in the christian graces. And though


there may be great crises in public affairs, when


true herOism will strike against tyranny, and


when iniquity in high places can be purged out


Il


tion though there may be times when a violent


revolution is the only process by which prosperi-


ty and order may be restored when even the


dethronement of tyrant is essential to the


saving OF the State; yet arc such crises very


iI.frequent among civilized peoples. In the life


tine of nation they seldom occur more than


once twice. In the life time of an individual


they may not happen at all. History will bear


me out IN the assertion that nine needless revo-
lutions are inaugurated by ambitious demagogues


rv1fl Il.
mated from patriotic motives and for worthy ends


The prosperity of the State and the wel-being


of each individual is, ordinarily, best promoted


by the peaceful developement of that progressive


p5llcy which advancing civilization
demands, and which it is the genius of christian
ity to guide and foster. The arts of peace are
almost uniformly better and wiser and more
effective than the arts of


patient endurance of petty evils is better
an l more manly than ebuition of passion,
miscalled patriotism, which insists upon tearing
society up by the roots that it may weed out the
evils that infest it. A respectful petitoning
for redress under more aggravated evils, is better
than n hasty outbreak against those who ought
To redress such grievances of their own accord, /
and the loyal and grateful appreciation of what |
ever is worthy, noble, amiable or generous in
rulers, he they elective hereditary, is far
better than captious carping at their faults, 4
which serves to aggravate them while il in6ames
passions.


That amability of disposition, that peace of
mind and that spirit of blessing rather than of
cursing, which should characterize every chris
tian in every department and relation of life, 1
should not be suffered to desert him in the dis .
charge OF his duties a citizen and polititian.
While it is his duty to be intelligent, firm and .
conscientious in his convictions, having a mind .
of his own and n reason for his opinion upon all |
the great questions of the day he is to take .
special care that his integrity Il is rot
involved and endangered by the tactics of party {;
that his equaninimity of temper be not disturbed .
81. e. L.
a christian gentleman be not sacrificed to a
factIous zeal which beittles and debases the soul
that il infects.


In proportion the sources of power and the
elements of sovereignty are by the organic struc-
ture of the government repOsed in the people,
they morally responsible for their influence
in advocating correct principles and in shaping
public opinion. \ stolid Indifference is not
To be confounded with an intelligent submission
to the established order. LaZIneSs Is not loyalty.
Fawning for the favor of sovereign, cringing
with fear of his frown, is not truly hOnoring him
whom we profess to respect. But between the
factiOus spirit of the demagOgue on one hand,
and the cringing of the sycOphant the
other, there is room for manly self-respect,
coupled with intelligent and cheerful loyalty.
Without falling INFO the habit of indiScriminate
hattery when speaking to or Of those who are
over us in authority, we may learn, and We
ought TO learn, to avoid all harshness of judg-
ment and all bitterness of speech when we can
vass their conduct.


While we cannot be bound to stultify our
judgment to falsify our honest convictions
ought to cherish n sensitive regard for the
honor of our rulers feeling that the honor of the
nation is involved in the reputation of those who
occupy tine high places of power. 1t is the duty
of every good citizen not alone, passivey, to re-
frain from slandering and speaking evil of digni-
ties but only honor them rs we ought when
we defend them from detraction.


No man il loyal who permits plots and ma
chinatons against the lawful authorities to
remain unexposed, if it is in his power to expose
them or who in any way countenances or con-
Elves at those who would reckleSsly endanger
the public peace by the violent in6aming of {
popular passions.


Whatever may be our individual preferences c
or prejudices with respect to forms of govern
ment, not called upon as alien residents 4
to make ourselves apostles of any political creed
antagOnistic to the existing forms.


Tire fact that We have chosen to live for time
under the protection of this sovereignty, implies
the moral obligation not to mediate or to execute
any scheme, with the purpose to weaken the
attachment of the people for their rulers, or :
their laws


1t is not only in bad TASTE but it is bad NOR L
ality wei, for those who choose not TO become
citizens or subjects of the government which
protects them, to act as spies upon its weakness
or as enemies seeking the overthrow of what they %
have not helped to build and what they have not
been invited TO mend.


\ distinguished American divine, who had
himsel: taken an active part in the American
has so clearly set forth the general
duties of subjects, that simple enumeration of C
the several points he makes will indicate the line
of thought which the teachings of the Bible
require Us to pursue, if we should attempt the
full discussion of this theme. And one
will suspect 50 fearless n champion for popular
rights, of being partial to despotic powers, his
statements will be accepted as the more conclu-
sive on this point. 1t


How discriminating and judicous this propo-
sitiOn: Subjects are bound TO obey magistrates.
when acting agreeaby TO the laws, in all cases
not contrary to the will of God Is unfulded in
l.. I01JU ssSubiects bound To