THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
T. FANNING AND W. LIPSCOMB, Editors.
VOL. VII.
NASHVILLE, JULY 1861.
NO. 7.
THE KINGDOM OF GOD TRIUMPHANT OVER THE KINGDOMS OF THE WORLD.
From some cause, which should be understood, Christians generally fail to place the reign of the Messiah in its true light before the world. Hence, the almost universal devotion to the institutions of men, and the very small amount of attention to the government of the Most High.
We gravely ask, if Heaven has not decreed that the reign of his Son shall be supreme over the whole earth? Do not the times suggest the necessity of the servants of God, carefully examining the claims of the King of kings and Lord of all lords? The kingdoms of the world give demonstrable evidence of frailties and inherent imperfections which threaten their overthrow; and if there is an institution in existence, which promises permanency, it would seem becoming in Christian men, to present its claims to a discontented, belligerent and almost hopeless generation.
The monarchies of the old world, however strongly fortified by armies, are all in commotion, and even our boasted American democracy has recently given woeful evidences that it has finished its destiny, and is almost ready to be numbered with things that were. We already hear the low murmur along the ranks of society, “The last experiment in free government is failing to accomplish what was anticipated.” Even high officials, who boasted a few years ago of the inherent ability in man to construct a perfect government, both civil and religious, are now fleeing from their long assured…
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
idol, “this glorious Union,” and are crying alas, alas, our temple is wrecked and our highest hopes are vanishing into thin air. What does all this mean? Is there no stable government on earth? It has long been clear to our mind that the church of Christ is transcendentally superior to all human institutions, and that it is destined to break them all down and prevail over the whole earth. With the hope of placing the matter in its proper light, we appeal to the word of God as the only authorized test of truth.
What do the prophets teach regarding the kingdom and reign of the Messiah?
Jehovah said one thousand four hundred and forty-one years before Christ,
“I will raise them up a prophet from among their brethren like unto thee, (Moses) and I will put my words into his mouth, and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. And it shall come to pass that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require of him.” (Deu. 18, 18, 19.)
It will be remembered that Moses was the mediator to the Jews, but another prophet was to arise as a mediator between God and all who become subjects of the new administration. Our Heavenly Father said by his servant David,
“Yet have I set my King upon my holy hill of Zion- I will declare the decree, the Lord hath said unto me, thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me and I will give thee the heathen for thine inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt dash them to pieces as a potter’s vessel.” (Psalms 2, 7-9.)
In this prediction, there is positive evidence that the King crowned was to possess the Gentiles and rule the nations; and a blessing was pronounced upon all who would put their trust in him.
In Isaiah it is said,
“Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulders; and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order and establish it with judgment and justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” (Isaiah 9, 6, 7.)
“And in the days of these kings the God of heaven shall set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed, and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and shall stand forever.” (Dan. 2, 41.)
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
Page 195
“And the kingdom and dominion and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heavens shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom and all dominions shall serve and obey him.” (Dan. 7:26)
The prophet Isaiah also said, “The earth shall be full of the righteousness of the Lord, as the waters cover the deep.” (Isaiah 11:9)
This was a kingdom to be established by the Son of God. John the immerser preached, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand;” and the Messiah exhorted his disciples to pray, “Thy kingdom come.” Again he said, “On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
Jesus Christ and his disciples all preached that this kingdom was at hand, till the day of Pentecost, and no writer in the New Testament after this memorable day ever intimated that a kingdom was to be set up. In Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, we hear of an approaching kingdom, and in the 2nd chapter of the Acts of the Apostles and last verse, we read, for the first time, of persons being added to the church. Solomon’s temple, which prefigured the spiritual edifice by Christ, went up without the sound of a hammer or iron instrument. The materials were all prepared by measure; and John, Jesus, and his twelve and seventy disciples were actively engaged for some three years in preparing materials for the heavenly building, and no marvel that it should also have been acknowledged on Pentecost by the filling and overshadowing of the Holy Spirit.
Afterwards, as intimated, the writers of the Holy Scriptures spoke of the church as a reality. Paul said to the faithful Hebrews:
“But ye are come to Mount Zion, unto the city of the Living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus the mediator of the New Covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling which speaketh better things than the blood of Abel.”
“Wherefore, we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God, acceptably with reverence and godly fear.” (Hebrews 12:22-28)
The beloved John, of course, was the last inspired writer who dwelt upon the triumphs of the kingdom of the Savior. When the seventh angel sounded his trumpet, John said, “There were great voices in heaven saying, the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.”
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
(Rev. 11, 15.) Again he said, “I saw one called Faithful and True, on a white horse; and in righteousness he doth judge and make war; and the armies which are in heaven followed him upon white horses clothed in white linen, fine and clean, and out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword that with it he should smite the nations, and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
“And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth, and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.”
Rev. 19, 11-21.
Having settled the question as to the authority of these Scriptures, we feel fully authorized to state the following conclusions, viz:
- Sovereignty of God
God, our Father, is sovereign over all the world. The nations are in his hands, he has the inalienable right to their homage, and he rules in the kingdoms of men, overturning their unwise designs to his honor and often to the good of his erring creation. - Government of Saints
God has given the government of his saints into the hands of his Son Jesus Christ. He crowned him Lord of heaven and earth, when he ascended on high, placed the scepter in his hand, and bade him subdue the nations of the earth. Since the coronation of the Savior, no one has had the right to approach the Father, pray to him, or ask protection from him, but in the name of the Son. Hence, he that rejects Jesus of Nazareth, rejects God, and is indeed considered the enemy of the Father. The Scriptures already recited evidently show that, not only was the King crowned on his ascension to heaven from Mount Olivet, but not many days after the newly appointed mediator and Lord of heaven and earth sent the Holy Spirit to guide the Apostles into all truth, and enable them to perfect the new administration. The laws were finished, the members of the body fitly placed together by joints and bands and the whole machinery of the body perfected in the first century. Consequently, we look for no new Gospel, new developments of truth, or a new kingdom in the latter days. The body of Christ is perfect, the laws afford all things that pertain to life and godliness, and a new King is not needed. - Kingdom of Christ
The kingdom of Christ is a kingdom of “righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” The Savior came upon a mission of love and mercy to a rebellious world, and he employed not violence to render triumphant his laws. The success of his reign over pagan Rome and an idolatrous world in the early ages of the church is marvelous in our eyes beyond expression. Philosophers, and the great of earth…
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
197
looked in mute amazement at the greatness of his achievements, by so simple means, and yet the nations have not yielded to his peaceful scepter.
4th
The prophecies indicate most clearly that the Lord’s spiritual empire was to be in conflict, in the language of Hengstenburg, with “the world power,” or as Paul expresses it, “Principalities,” but his cause was to triumph. His kingdom was to break into pieces, consume and crush from the earth the governments of the world. But we are told “it has not yet triumphed.” True, and the end has not yet come. Notwithstanding Christianity was driven from its birthplace—Palestine—and many sections of Europe, it still lives on both continents—in all the four corners of the globe—and so soon as men shall complete their folly in originating and defending their frail institutions of earth, they will gladly admit the sovereignty of the Redeemer.
Daniel says, “The kingdom and dominion under the whole heavens, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.” John tells us that he heard “great voices in heaven, saying, the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” Or correctly translated, “The kingdom of the world is our Lord’s and his Christ’s.” The government of the world has yet to be placed upon the shoulders of the Savior. This cannot be accomplished without the destruction of the institutions framed by men; still there is nothing which seems more pointed in the word of God, and Christians should not be discouraged at appearances. God works in ways of which we are ignorant, but if we can believe he threw down the walls of Jericho, by a shout of his people, nothing should be regarded as impossible for him.
5th
What means shall be employed for the accomplishment of this grand end? As early as the fourth century, wherever Christianity became popular, it was connected with the governments of the world, and corrupted. The nominal professors of this religion of peace thought the civil power was necessary for its protection, and, hence the sword was employed first by Rome, next by the East, then by England, and since by most of the world, to render victorious an institution that cannot safely form even an alliance with “the powers that be.” But while the nations of earth are determined to propagate religion at the can…
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
nons month, “the dispersed” among the nations, “the strangers and pilgrims” ask the aid of no armies or navies to give the ascendancy to the cause of the Lord, but confidently look for its final triumph without “the breaking of a bruised reed, or the quenching of the smoking flax.”
Although the Spirit saw proper to employ the military style of the times, the sword with which the King was to triumph over his enemies, though sharp and strong, proceeded out of the mouth of him who sat on the white horse, and his victories were all to be in righteousness. It may be well in this connection to indicate the true position of Christians with reference to the governments of the world. The Christian institution was the first spiritual empire revealed to man, and it will be the last. It was superior to the kingdoms of men; could not from its nature be merged into them, or, as we before stated, form alliances with them.
It came not as the friend or enemy of any form of government, could live in a monarchy, aristocracy or democracy, was independent of all, and yet was destined to swallow them all up. This, it seems, was to be accomplished by leavening the earth, and bringing all the powers of the world into subordination.
The subjects of this kingdom, so far as we are informed, in the early ages took no part in the creation or administration of worldly powers. They paid their taxes as loyal citizens of every government, in which their labor called them, “respected magistrates, and prayed for kings and all in authority,” that they might lead quiet and peaceable lives in all godliness and honesty. The Apostles and early Christians took no office from man, and interposed not in the least with the government of the world, unless so oppressed that they could not without open rebellion honor their king. Then they refused not to adhere to their own leader, and for this species of rebellion many lost their lives.
We have seen few, if any Christian men, who gave themselves to the governments of the world, that have not been swallowed up of them, and hence we conclude that our calling is above all earthly callings, and our time, talents, and energies should be given to the Lord. We should pay our taxes, respect governments, not oppressive, wherever we may dwell, and if possible be at peace with all men. Still our grand purpose should be to promote the spiritual empire of the King of Zion. The instructions on this subject are found in the New Testament.
T. F.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
WARS OF HEAVEN AND EARTH
“If ’tis distance lends enchantment to the view,” we may add, that distant danger has but little terror to men. Even relentless and bloody war, in a foreign clime, conducted by those in whose success we feel but little interest, possesses not the power to stir the heart; but when it rages in our own beloved land—comes to our very doors and threatens all of earth we most value, the bravest are disposed to shrink back, and ask its intent.
But fearful are the aspects of war when citizens of the same soil, brothers in religion, and brothers in the flesh lift the sword against each other. The present distressing affairs in our once happy, but now rent and bleeding country, suggest to the thinking the propriety of taking counsel together, with reference to the best means of averting the terrible disasters that threaten the land.
Having at an early age deliberately formed our judgment as to war, and especially amongst an enlightened and Christian people, and to this hour having seen no reason to change our decision, we consider it entirely in keeping with our mission, to offer a few candid thoughts regarding its origin, history, and tendencies. We feel more especially interested from the fact, that either we have not studied the Bible to profit, or many sincere brethren, whose feelings are quite different from our own, have failed to see the beauties of the Christian edifice. We have no advice to give, but it shall be our purpose, if possible, to present the subject of war as represented in the Holy Oracles, and leave all free to act upon their convictions.
Whence Comes War?
In answering this question, it would seem requisite, in the first place, to define the term war. After looking over the dictionaries and critical works, we find nothing entirely satisfactory. To be sure, Webster says, “War is a contest between Nations or States, carried on by force.” But, if we are not mistaken, this definition accords not fully with the meaning in scripture. Webster had in mind national contests alone, but James asks the question, “From whence come wars and fightings among you?” indicating most clearly that wars and fightings, right or wrong, may exist in a church, in a family, or between two individuals. The Apostle adds, “Ye kill, ye fight and ye war.” Hence we define war as a struggle between individuals, families, churches, or nations, with intent to kill and destroy. Of course the purposes of war will vary with the causes that produce it. Duelling may be regarded as the highest style of war. The combatants are considered as honorable gentlemen, and their sole purpose is merely to seek each other’s life.
The Gospel Advocate
Vindication of Honor
National wars are generally predatory. Each party generally considers it proper to waste and take all the property possible of the others, and both strive to do each other the greatest amount of damage. Wars are called aggressive when one people assail another, and defensive when the object is to repel invasion. It is also called offensive or defensive.
But it is remarkable that while most men freely engage in war, either from a general conviction that there is something wrong in it, or men are insincere, we seldom, if ever, hear of a party avowedly making aggressive or offensive war.
The mere mechanical act of a man’s killing another is neither right nor wrong in itself. It may be done by accident, or an officer of the law may be required to take away a fellow creature’s life. Hence the crime of murder depends neither upon the fact or mode of taking life, but solely upon the state of mind possessed at the time the deed is done. In law, the point is not whether one party killed another, but did he commit the deed, as with malice and forethought. If then the guilt or innocence of a party depends upon the animus, may we not conclude that one is guilty who merely intends injury?
“He that looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery already in his heart.” – Jesus.
This leads us to approach a little nearer to the answer of our question. Possibly, it has been from the fact that crime universally arises from the intention that no war originates in heaven, around the throne of the omnipotent.
According to the philosophy, poetry, and modern theology, of which we have knowledge, war began in heaven, amongst the highest angels. It is said, indeed, that Satan was the tallest son of the Omnipotent, next to the Father, aspired to the supremacy, and through ambition inaugurated a war which hurled him from heaven.
John Milton, in his Paradise Lost, said:
“His pride
Had cast him (Satan) out of Heaven, with all his host
Of rebel angels; by whose aid aspiring
To equal him in glory above his peers,
He trusted to have equaled the Most High
If he opposed; and with ambitious aim
Against the throne and monarchy of God,
Raised impious war in heaven, and battle proved
With vain attempt. Him the Almighty power
Hurled headlong flaming from th’ ethereal sky,
With hideous ruin and combustion, down
To bottomless perdition, there to dwell
In adamantine chains and penal fire,
Who durst defy the Omnipotent to arms.”
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
Pollok says:
“That silence which all being held,
When God’s Almighty Son, from off the walls
Of heaven the rebel angels threw, accursed,
So still, that all creation heard their fall
Distinctly, in the lake of burning fire.”
These two quotations constitute the essence of modern theology regarding the first rebellion, the origin of war, the first battle in heaven, the sentence upon the fallen angels, and Jehovah’s triumph.
Perhaps we may be asked if this is not the doctrine of the Bible? The churches preach it as true, and it is very generally believed. Let us examine briefly the scriptures.
John says, “And there was war in heaven; Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon fought and his angels. Neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the dragon was cast out, that old serpent called the Devil and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world; he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” (Rev. xii, 7-9)
He said again, “And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed.” (Rev. xii, 17) “He saw a beast rise up out of the sea, and it was given unto him to make war with the saints and to overcome them.” (Rev. xii, 7) John said, “a beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit, maketh war against them and shall overcome them and kill them.” (Rev. xi, 7)
Daniel saw a “Horn make war with the saints and prevail against them.” (Dan. vii, 21) Yet he adds, “Judgment was given to the saints of the Most High, and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.” This was the identical battle which John saw in heaven between Michael and his hosts, and the Devil and his party.
Peter speaks, not of war in heaven, but of God casting the angels down to hell and delivering them into chains of darkness. (2 Peter ii, 4)
Jude tells us, that “The angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains, under darkness, unto the judgment of the great day.” (Verse 6)
But what are the legitimate conclusions to be drawn from these scriptures, if Milton, Pollok, and poetical teachers of religion do not do justice to the Word of God?
The bare admission that there has ever been, or ever will be disturbance, strife and war in heaven proper, dethrones the Almighty and…
202
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
destroys all hope of a pure clime. We may be asked, “If Satan did not fall from heaven?” The Savior speaking of the power taken from him said, “I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.” But this was a fall which occurred in the days of the Lord’s personal ministry.
If we could believe in so desperate a war around the throne of the Eternal as described by these fancy teachers, we could have no desire to attain such an abode. What has occurred might occur again. God’s people seek rest—a peaceful habitation.
The heaven in which this great battle was fought, to say the least, was on this earth. Jesus collected his disciples at the destruction of Jerusalem, “from the uttermost part of heaven.” (Mark xii, 27). This was possibly the land of the Jews, as the Gentiles were called, in contrast, earth. “Oh earth,” said the prophet, “hear the word of the Lord.” Christians are said to “sit together in heavenly places, in Christ;” (Eph. i, 3) and when John said, “Rejoice over her thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets, for God hath avenged you on her,” he evidently had the church in his mind. (Rev. xviii, 20).
We then conclude, that all the wars in heaven with the dragon, the beast, the false prophet—Michael and the saints were, and will be, in the church. The world power has been assailing the authority of the King of Heaven for eighteen hundred years, but the saints will triumph over the beast, and see Satan’s empire crumble to pieces.
But
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
Page 203
lion and the Lord cast them down from heaven, and they will remain in chains till the judgment.
So far it has been a bloodless conflict, so far as Christians have been concerned; but the conflict between genuine and false Christians has been presented in military and so highly symbolic language, that many have imagined that God and all the hosts of heaven have been or are engaged in deadly conflict. Far be it from truth that Milton, Pollok, and speculative divines have well nigh subverted the light of revelation for the idlest dreams ever penned. Still war exists and may exist forever, and we would know its origin and meaning.
We have satisfied ourself that all the wars of which we have knowledge, are of the earth and are earthy. As to the idea of one next to the Supreme Being apostatizing through ambition, and creating war in heaven and earth, we have endeavored to show is highly preposterous. Still we have no theory in regard to the devil—his origin or history. We are taught in the word of God that there is a devil “going about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour,” and so far as we have learned to the contrary, he was the devil from the beginning, and from his constitution he may be a devil to all eternity.
Jesus said of the opposing Jews, “Ye are of your father, the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do: he was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him.” (John viii, 44). It seems from this passage that the devil was a destroyer from the beginning, and yet was the father of men led by passion. The apostle James is still more explicit. In answering the question, “From whence comes wars and fightings,” he said, “Come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust and have not; ye kill and desire to have and ye cannot obtain; ye fight and war.”
The idea of James seems to be that men while following passion, are the children of the devil, and hence he exhorts the brethren in the same chapter, to “submit themselves to God.” “Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to you.” (James iv, 1-8).
The doctrine of the Savior, of James, and of all the authors of the Bible, seems to be, that in our very constitution we are subject to two opposing influences. One is called the flesh, and the other the spirit. Some have called these opposing influences the two sides of human nature, one good, the other evil. Speculate on the matter as we please, the fact stares us in the face, that individuals or nations, led by their…
204: THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
own impulses, feelings, passions, are always wrong, are but children of the wicked one; whilst those who renounce themselves, and follow heavenly instruction, are holy, harmless, peaceful—the children of God. While following the spirit, we are not in strife, in church or state, but are brethren—at peace, walking by the faith of one who is invisible, and are always ready to declare that we are “strangers and pilgrims,” have no permanent habitation on earth, but are seeking a city in the skies. A failure to look on high, is a declaration of war against God and all good men. Whosoever is not for the Savior is against him. There is no neutral ground. All are in the army of the faithful, or of the wicked one.
What then is the origin of war?
It arises always from passion—from the love of power, and ambition to domineer over others. Such is the history of all war. When one people suppose themselves stronger, wiser, or richer than another, they are apt to be anxious to rule, and hence strifes and wars arise. Life is but a warfare, a conflict, and hence Paul at the close of his journey said, “I have fought the good fight and kept the faith.”
It will be perceived from the tenor of our remarks, that whether the struggle is in our own heart, between individuals, in churches, states or nations, the weapons are not always identical. Violence and wrong prevail on one side, while on the other, there is merely a resistance of evil.
But the plain and unvarnished question is, has war ever been right?
It has most unquestionably been necessary. When the five nations of Canaan become too wicked for endurance, the Almighty ordained his own people Israel to execute his purpose in exterminating them, and when in time the Jews become corrupt God brought “a nation from afar, a nation of fierce countenance,” Roman army under Titus Vespasian, against them, and overthrew them. This has been the course of things from the beginning, and may always be the course. We would in conclusion submit a few very respectful inquiries in reference to the bearings of war.
The, Laws of Nations—the doctrine of “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth,” preached over all the world till the Savior came and established a new order of things, destined in time to prevail over the whole earth. The prophet saw a little stone cut out of the mountain without hands, that increased till it became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth. (Dan. ii. 34, 35.) The Messiah assumed to be a king of a new order, to reach his…
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
Page 205
Throne not by wading through the blood of others, but by freely shedding his own blood. He employed no offensive or defensive weapons, but was proclaimed the Prince of Peace.
Was it not his purpose to put an end to war, to bloodshed and carnage, and has he not been successful in proportion to the progress of his religion in the world? After he told Peter to “put up” his sword, no violence has been employed by him. Jesus cannot take cognizance of them without, till they enlist under his peaceful banner. If, then, the Son of God established a “kingdom of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,” and if his subjects were not anciently men of blood, on what authority can they now act differently from his servants of old?
It occurs to us that the church of Christ is composed of faithful and true men, who bear his cross at all times, and resort not to violence. If we are correct, bloody wars are not Christian, but are of the world, and are worldly. Are indeed the result of wickedness, are waged by wicked men, for wicked purposes, and have not the sanction of God or good men.
Our conclusion of the whole matter is, that the wars of heaven, are moral conflicts between the church of Christ and the opposing world powers; and the wars of earth are struggles in the world without by men of the world, inaugurated by wicked men for wicked purposes, but which God may overrule for good. The history of the world sustains us in these conclusions, but the church of Christ is composed of “a peculiar people,” separate from others, are not of the world, engage not in its bloody conflicts, and yet the Lord has promised to sustain them to the end.
We have said nothing of the present civil, unnatural, ungodly, cruel, barbarous, unnecessary, meaningless, fruitless and disgraceful American war. It will settle neither the right nor wrong of any question, and though innocent blood has been, and may be liberally shed, better counsels will prevail, and its inhuman originators must ere long bow to a moral force that is struggling to be heard and must sooner or later triumph.
God grant that the day may not be far distant. If genuine Christians but buckle on “the whole armor of God,” the hosts of false religionists that originated the conflict, and are leading their countrymen to the slaughter, may soon have cause to lament their treachery to Heaven, and the cause and people of the Most High, may attain the position to which they are entitled. Our confident trust is, that Heaven will vindicate the right, and put to shame and confusion the enemies.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
RELIGIOUS ASPECT OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION OF 1861
We deem it proper and becoming to speak freely of all matters having the least bearing upon the subject of religion; although we have never regarded it as our privilege to interfere, in the slightest degree, in political affairs. For more than thirty years we have been satisfied it was not our mission to construct or seek to control civil government, but, in obedience to a law much higher than any that emanates from man, we have paid our taxes, obeyed magistrates, been subject to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, and willingly prayed for kings and for all that are in authority, that we might live a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. What we have earthly, the civil government has a right to control, and we have felt it our duty to submit to the government of any country in which our lot might be cast, so long as our Christian rights remain unimpaired, but in the event of our religious liberty being infringed, we have doubted not it would become our duty, with Peter and John, to say, “Whether it be right in the sight of God to obey you rather than God, judge you.”
Yet it will not answer for religious writers and speakers to ignore a subject that is exerting a wider and deeper influence on religion than any other. Whilst political preachers are justly entitled to the disgrace of raising a storm which it is not in their power to control, it remains for God’s people to exert what influence they may possess in allaying the strife. Christians should not and cannot be idle spectators; they not only see, think and feel deeply, but by all that is sacred they are called to command the peace, and to the utmost of their ability to save the children of God, especially, from destruction.
Letters have reached us from various quarters, enquiring as to the scriptural course of the saints in the present alarming crisis of our once happy, but now distracted country. We claim no right to advise beyond the simple expression of our convictions of truth, but we pray the brethren to measure well every step that is to decide their Christian life. We have felt much embarrassment, both in preaching and writing, and yet the cause of our Master requires promptness and decision in every movement. So far, we have labored to present the spiritual nature of the Christian religion, and to impress upon the brethren the weighty responsibilities that rest upon them. We again respectfully invite their attention to a few of the cardinal features of religion, as set forth in the Holy Scriptures.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
The Christian religion was established by the shedding of the blood of a single innocent and unresisting victim. When he could have called “twelve legions of angels to his assistance, he prayed, Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” To Peter, who drew his sword to protect his Master, he said, “Put up thy sword again into his place; for all that take the sword, shall perish with the sword.” (Mat. xxvi, 52). No violence was to be employed to make his laws victorious, and although the church, for almost eighteen hundred years, has largely contributed to the peace of the world, all has been accomplished by love.
It will be remembered, that under the reign of the Messiah, “They were to beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; nation was not to lift up the sword against nation, neither were they to learn war any more.” (Isaiah ii, 3).
We have been told however, that “If these things are applicable to the present dispensation, Christianity has failed to accomplish what was predicted.” We do not suppose that the work of leavening the world could have been effected in a day, and because all the nations have not come under the full influence of Christianity, we should not, on that account, infer that nothing has been done, which contributes to the end contemplated. We are satisfied that there are myriads in all the nations of the civilized world, that cleave to the Lord, and to the power of his might, for accomplishing all that can be done for men on earth.
Paul was most explicit regarding civil institutions. In attempting to correct wayward brethren, who had “swerved, turned aside unto vain jangling, desiring to be law-teachers, understanding neither what they said, nor whereof they affirmed,” he informed them that, “law is good, if a man use it lawfully, knowing that law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient; for ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers; for men slayers, for whoremongers; for them that defile themselves with mankind, for men-stealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine.” (Tim. i, 6-10).
From this scripture we conclude, that the law is only necessary for the insubordinate, for men beyond the precincts of Christianity, and that if all were fully under the influence of the kingdom of heaven, there would be no need of human government. It is a nice question, however, to determine whether Christians are the proper persons to…
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
take the government of the world into their hands. If it is their province to make and execute laws for the wicked, of course they are authorized to employ force—even standing armies—to keep the rebellious in subjection; and if so, it occurs to us, that Christians in taking the direction of the world’s affairs, as men of the world, would abandon moral authority for accomplishing good. Thus it would seem that the church of Christ must fail in the purposes intended. The disciples were commanded to take “the sword of the spirit,” indeed “the whole armor of God.”
We have very much regretted recently to witness a disposition in brethren to construe Paul’s instruction to the saints, in the 13th of Romans, into authority for Christians to employ the sword to enforce what they conceive to be civil right. In some few instances efforts have also been made to commit the church of God to favor the worldly policy of its strong members. However correct the brethren may be in their political views, whenever a church is made an engine to support any political faction as the case of the Presbyterian General Assembly in Philadelphia a few weeks ago, it must be considered as a violation of all the purposes intended by Him who knew not men after the flesh.
Religion and politics can form no healthful alliances. Our conclusion then upon the matter of the church and worldly institutions is, that the church is adequate to employ the talent and energies of its members to the very best advantage; and yet, while “in the world, and still not of the world,” they are required, as we have intimated, to pay their taxes, respect magistrates, pray for rulers, and do nothing to oppose the government under which they live, so long as they are permitted to enjoy the liberties of the Gospel of the Son of God.
It must be remembered, however, that civil institutions are “moral agents,” which, from Constantine the Great, have not failed to corrupt and prostitute the Christian religion whenever the attempt has been made to unite them; or make religion, as has always been the case, subservient to the State. Christ’s kingdom is not of this world, and the governments of this world can do nothing so favorable to it as by non-interference.
Before dismissing this point, we are tempted to quote a statement of Thomas Jefferson regarding what he called “Prime Christianity.” He said in a letter to a friend, “A strong proof of the solidity of the primitive faith is its restoration, as soon as a nation arises which indicates to itself the freedom of religious opinion, and its external divorce.”
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
Page 209
“from civil authority.” He seemed to doubt if religion was divorced even in our own country from civil authority, although the evident purpose of the framers of our American government was to keep church and State independent. Religion can be healthy in no other condition.
Whilst our American compact was framed under the presumptive ability of man to govern himself, it has been regarded, by the nations of the earth, as one experiment; and whilst we have maintained that virtue and intelligence are ample guaranties of the rights of our citizens, the simple fact that force is requisite to sustain the measures of government demonstrates radical defects somewhere. We are satisfied that the church of Christ is the only institution on earth solely dependent on moral power for its success. Jesus Christ employed none but spiritual weapons to render his laws victorious, and when his people are fully under the influence of his teaching, they will employ none but spiritual armor.
Our earnest desire, however, is to speak for religious effect, and it is not our wish to engage in controversy with anyone. It is true, we are desirous for our brethren North and South, and all concerned, to know our views in regard to the religious bearings of the American civil war, now threatening to devastate our country. To get the matter before us in a tangible shape, we deem it not necessary to examine the influences that have long been active in bringing our disasters upon us. There are certain obvious effects, however, of causes almost forgotten, in reference to which there can be no dispute, and which will answer our present purpose.
In the first place, the great masses of the people, the politicians and partisan religious leaders especially, North and South, have become so thoroughly alienated that they can no longer live together in peace. Secondly, for the first time in the history of our country, a sectional President has taken the helm of government, with the avowal, that “We (a faction) take charge of the government.” Either of these facts alone is more than sufficient to destroy all political harmony amongst our once happy people, and annihilate the last hope of harmonious action.
Eleven of the States, in obedience as they believe to an inalienable right, have revolutionized and declared themselves independent of the others. They have formed a provisional government, and claim the liberty of self-government. The President, North, calls it a rebellion that must be put down by…
210
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
The sword; this we consider as ample ground for irreconcilable dissatisfaction.
We may be told of the many evil deeds of Southerners in seizing forts, etc., constructed by the by to defend their States; but we are the apologist of none. If Southerners are the people represented by Northerners, it strikes us they should desire no political union with us.
But in any adjustment of matters, all sensible men know that the property seized, North and South, must be taken into strict account. The evil is much deeper than any property controversy can reach. It is moral and controlling. No people can possibly live together politically, as utterly antipodal in reference to import subjects as the leading men generally are North and South. It is vain to attempt it. In this we speak as a citizen of the commonwealth—a member of the civil compact.
Christianity, however, is so transcendentally superior to civil institutions, that members of the church can heartily co-operate, religiously, under antipodal civil governments, and they should not, indeed, be the least influenced by political struggles. Hence, we rejoice in the fond hope that such as have carefully studied the laws of the spiritual empire, need not be the least interrupted by any civil conflict that may occur.
God’s people cannot, and should not be divided by rivers, and State or county lines. There is but one church of God, and all the powers of earth and hell cannot sever the spiritual relations.
Of course we speak not of religious parties, but of the one universal empire of the Lord’s anointed. Still religious men have a right to their views with regard to the institutions of the world, and to express them freely, if they do not interfere with the opinions of others.
Consequently we are willing to answer plain questions even regarding the civil institutions of the land, when we can do so with safety to ourselves, and the cause of Christ. We have been asked again, and again, if we do not consider the people South fully justified in resisting the rule of the North? The right of revolution being admitted, we doubt not the civil right of the citizens South to resist to the last extremity, but as religionists, they should know neither North nor South.
The people of the South have long been denounced as utterly incapable of self-government, that should they desire further civil cooperation, they deserve a slavery not to be compared to the African servitude of the land. No people should associate civilly but as equals, and no people of intelligence and spirit will fraternize with others under gross indignities.
Therefore, all hope of civil union has, in our judgment, been wrung from the hearts of our people.
As to forcing it…
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
where it springs not from sincere affection, it is madness in the extreme to attempt it. Death is preferable to subjugation and rule by the sword. Hence, if people were ever justified in resisting encroachments, we conscientiously believe the Citizens of the Confederate States are. So much we have desired to say to our friends North and South. But in all this we have spoken as a citizen of the world, and not as a member of the family of God.
Should any people, however, consider war as barbarous, and not suited to all Christian employment, it is their right before heaven and earth to say, “Our kingdom is not of this world.” There may be good and loyal citizens, for instance, North and South, who are fully satisfied that they should exert all their influence for the good of man, by means not connected with violence and blood. Indeed, some are so conscientious in the belief that the sword settles no moral right; that they will suffer the loss of property and life rather than shed the blood of their fellows. In obedience to this strong conviction of the heart, provision has been made in all enlightened governments to release the scrupulous from the battlefield.
Yet this release extends not to property. All that we have earthly is subject to the call of our government, and should be willingly surrendered when demanded. Whether one engage in war or not is then between him and his Maker. Christian ministers should preach Christ crucified, and pray to be delivered from the snares of the wicked, and especially from the necessity of slaughtering their fellows.
Though whoever refuses to shed blood, must carefully count the cost, and determine, in the presence of God, whether he would prefer the loss of a fair worldly reputation, the loss of property, and even the loss of life, to adopting the means of violence to fulfill his mission. We repeat, that everyone must be responsible to God and his country for himself, and no one has a right to interfere.
War, in all its aspects, is irreligious, cruel and barbarous, and no people can be reconciled to wage it upon their fellows, as has been done by the North, but under a madness that is unpardonable. That the enlightened of the whole world will sustain us in our conclusion, we doubt not.
But the greatest evil of war is its effect amongst the thousands who are innocent and who have acquired no fixed confidence in the Christian religion. Most, if not all of this class, (and it embraces four-fifths of the people North and South,) must become hard-hearted and morally contaminated by the war, beyond all description. The hand of brother…
212
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
is lifted against brother, the father seeks the life blood of his darling child, and all for what? To gratify a pride which is doomed to perpetual disappointment. We have read that it has been said by sensible men in regard to the grounds of the controversy, have felt confident for twenty-five years that the storm was brewing, and now the conflict is in reference to a mere edict.
Who is the greatest? Who has a right to rule? “They insulted us, and we must be avenged if it cost the wealth of a nation and rivers of innocent blood,” caps the climax of man’s folly. It is the language of barbarism. We admit that unwise and heartless rulers have done the mischief, and if there are good men amongst us, they are loudly called of Heaven to point out the way, and labor with all the energies of their souls to stay the tide of evil that is sweeping over the land.
Where are the wise and Christian men of America in 1861? If God would have willingly spared Sodom for the sake of a few righteous, may we not now conclude, he will save a mighty nation for the sake of a few faithful servants! We hesitate not to declare, that our future peace and prosperity depend upon the moral power that may be exerted in our land, and we are happy to know that the disciples of Jesus Christ North and South, are, many of them at least, employing spiritual weapons to conquer a peace.
This is a time well calculated to try every man and especially Christians. We hope to hear of no church decrees for, or against any measure, amongst the brotherhood, but as we have said, let each act upon his own convictions of right and let no one interfere with him. These are “perilous times” and he who passes the ordeal unharmed, will have cause of rejoicing.
The subjects noticed rather disconnectedly in these remarks are of such magnitude, and we are so anxious to be understood, that at the risk of being considered tedious, we are disposed to conclude by a somewhat systematic statement of our conclusions.
- No good man has a right to silence, when the cause of morality and humanity are involved.
- The American people are in a war, brought on to force a part of them into a union that is past and can never be restored. We blame infidel preachers and fanatical politicians, who claim as their inheritance an instinctive “higher law” right what portions of the Bible and the Constitution of their country they will receive and what reject. These men that have trampled under foot the word of God, and the constitution of a once happy people, have elevated a sectionalism to the…
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
Presidency, and whilst they deny equality in government, they indignantly tell us that we are incompetent for self-government and demand submission or death.
1. Death will be preferred.
2. Civil and Religious institutions are not identical.
The civil government is for the world—the church is an asylum for such as are called out of the world, and who are ambitious, by a righteous life, to seek for glory, honor, and immortality—eternal life. The church can admit nothing political, and hence its members cannot be divided by sectional lines.
The weapons of Christian warfare are spiritual, and yet, whether Christians must suffer their country’s invasion, the loss of property and life itself, rather than engage in war, they must determine for themselves, and no one has a right to interfere. They are sustained by all civilized nations, if they prefer to exert their influence by moral means, and yet it may appear more patriotic for them to adopt violent means.
We have noticed quite a number of religious writers who maintain that when the State calls, Christians are released from all personal responsibility. This is a shallow conclusion. We should by all means perform our duties to our country, unless we are required to violate the laws of Christ’s kingdom, and then, at the cost of all earthly, we are required to obey God. It is honorable religiously to even rebel against oppression, as we conscientiously believe it is for the States South to politically rebel against the assumed authority of the States North.
3. In concluding church and State relations, or rather non-relations,
we would not neglect to state that all relations are in the hands of God—they are His by right as the earth is His, and whilst He governs Christians by spiritual laws, He watches every national movement—sees the right, and strengthens the oppressed to resist the oppressor, and all by means, in His good providence, which we see not, but in the results.
When people become obnoxious to Him, as the fierce nations of Canaan, and finally in turn, the Jews, He raises up others to subdue them, and employs marvelous means, as in the case of the antediluvians, to blot the totally corrupt from the earth.
4. As war settles not right,
we have expressed the ardent hope that God-fearing men would exert all their influence to calm the raging storm, so soon at least as it can be done in safety to the oppressed, be they who they may.
T. F.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
THE TRUST OF THE CHRISTIAN
There is good in sorrow, disappointment and worldly disaster. It is good to be acquainted with trouble and distress. Unpleasant though it may be, it is well for us to feel the hand of affliction and bear the realities of suffering and trial. The storm, the famine, the unseen pestilence that walketh at noonday, the downfall of powers and dynasties; yea, even the heart-sickening carnage of battle’s gory scene, are not devoid of good. They all teach lessons which every true heart must learn sooner or later.
“Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.” The great misfortune is that our hearts are so hard, our spiritual perceptions so blunted that we almost wholly fail to learn the lessons intended by these things. Were life one gala day of pleasure, prosperity and glad enjoyment, unknown to sorrow and disappointment, what heart could feel that weakness and helplessness so needful to teach us dependence upon our Maker? Amid all our trials how ready are we to become proud, boastful and unthankful; to scorn in our self-sufficiency the hand that feeds and clothes us.
Take these monitors of suffering from us, and how long would it be till we would ungratefully reject every idea of dependence, and claim a strength and might of our own? As thorns in the flesh they keep us mindful that the curse of death is still upon us, and that however vigorous, healthful and long-lived we may be, there must be an end. They teach us ever that however great may be the acquisition of glory, wealth or honor in this world, they all must vanish as a mist before the stern realities of the grave.
We have a captain—the well-beloved of his Father—made perfect through suffering. He was emphatically a man of sorrows and acquainted with griefs; and how deep and tender was the flow of that living sympathy with which he partook of the afflictions of the sad and heart-broken of earth. He knew what suffering was. He felt most keenly its sharp and piercing pangs, and how feelingly he could enter into every scene of distress and bind up, with words of tenderness and love, the torn and anguished spirit.
With such an example shall we, my brethren and sisters, murmur or be disturbed by the griefs, annoyances, and disappointments that here fall to our lot? Shall we not rejoice rather to be sharers in such sorrow as our Savior has borne? Shall troubles, disasters and commotions of this earth cause us terror and dread? As our High Priest could not be perfect without them, neither can we. They may be at times almost overpowering. They may sink our hearts within us, and crush our spirits until life itself…
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
215
seems a burden of which we are anxious to be rid. Those dearest may be taken from us, and we may permit feelings of rebellion to rise in our hearts for a time and sweep away all Christian fortitude, but the pure and holy teachings of our religion return to our memory and hearts; we remember the sweet promises of eternal happiness to the Christian, and we rise with new incentives to arouse us to nobler and better exertions and draw us toward the Heaven of the pure and good.
We feel that the firmest support of this earth is a treacherous quicksand beneath our feet, that its most coveted pleasures sicken and disgust the taste, and that its distant and enchanting scenes of quiet peace and refreshment, that promise us an end of toil and gentle repose, are but mirages of the Sahara to the parched, thirsting, faint and care-worn traveler. We learn the vanity of all this earth, and we begin to cling more closely for sure support to an arm that knows no feebleness or wasting decay.
It is our privilege, nay more, it is our duty to be strong; not however by our own earthborn might, but by steadfast trust in God and his promises. It is one of the chief excellencies of our faith, that it lifts us up and renders us superior to the petty commotions that vex and depress the world. He whose trust is fixed on the affairs of this earth only, when shipwreck of hopes comes upon him must sink and despond.
But the Christian, relying not on things that perish, can calmly see the every treasure and reliance of earth swept away, and still feel that he is rich in the wealth of a pure and holy life. I know that it requires cultivation of heart and a life of very earnest trust to meet any and every affliction without a murmur. Our affections are so much engrossed with the things of this earth that it seems trying indeed to give up all, and yet rejoice with a thankfulness in having food and raiment, yet many of the purest, wisest and best of earth have done so, and have been most happy in being called to make such sacrifices.
I sometimes see Christian men and women fearful, perplexed, disturbed, and anxious about the changes, revolutions and tumults of this earth, as if their happiness and weal were dependent upon any of these contrivances of earth. ‘Tis most true, that the spectacle of war and bloodshed and all their pestilential evils, which years cannot efface, is most terrible to the eye of the philanthropist and Christian; but they are calamities which God visits upon those who become proud, vain and forgetful of his law. Strife, contention, lust for power, must still have sway until men learn to submit to the yoke of our Savior. Our part as Christians is to meet all with a trustful, firm, and even cheerful…
216
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
Ful spirit, to falter not in the faithful discharge of every duty, and double our zeal and earnestness as dangers gather around and clouds darken our way. Christians; faithful, earnest and upright, have lived in the midst of the wars and revolutions of the world since the birth of the Savior.
Fiery trials, according to Peter, are not to be accounted a strange thing. We may have trials as severe as ever have fallen to the lot of the saints, but it only makes our condition so much the worse, to forsake our sure and steadfast support for the vain help of man. It is a light thing to suffer a few days here such sorrow as this earth can impose, but it is a fearful thing to so act as to be forsaken of God, and eventually lose every blessed promise which he has made.
To die with a future cheerless and hopeless is indeed a fearful, awful matter—to enter the dark valley and shadow of death without the rod and staff of Faith, is enough to make the stoutest heart shudder. But to die full of hope, with a serene consciousness of having been faithful as far as we were able to God, to die with the radiance of immortality dawning in glad and welcoming brightness upon our souls; to sink to rest feeling that we are sustained by the tender arms of a loving Savior. Ah! who would exchange such a privilege as this for the richest treasures and brightest honors the world can give?
Whatever be our lot in this state, brethren and sisters, let us be true and steadfast unshaken in our service to our Savior. If misfortunes, disasters, storms of sorrow and bereavement, disappointments in our earthly hopes, trials and suffering, and even death come, let us meet all firmly and unflinchingly. In serving God we have the assurance that he is for us. “If God is for us who shall be against us?”
W. L.
HOW DO CHRISTIAN AND MORAL MEN SETTLE THEIR CONTROVERSIES?
We answer, by peace measures alone. The sword never did and never will decide as to the right or wrong of any question, and to fight and kill about a mere idea or speculation, argues a madness for which no good man can account. An ambition to take vengeance on our fellows, exhibits a feeling not at all in keeping with the civilization of the age. When injured, no punishment of the offender restores to us what we have lost. Possibly it will not be till after our people shall have…
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
217
spent hundreds of millions of dollars, entailed upon posterity a ruinous debt, and shed rivers of innocent blood, that the chief movers in the present American civil war, will get their consent to think of the horrors of their course, and propose terms of peace and amity. The pride of the unsubdued heart cannot easily consent to cry for quarters while there is the least prospect of earthly glory. Indeed, it is most clear, that many, even preachers, will readily forfeit all right and hope as to the future, merely for the short-lived honor of a day or an hour. The very highest and most weighty responsibilities must certainly rest upon Christians of America. The London Peace Society has sent a protest, and good men and women are moving, but we see no religious communion taking sweet counsel together as to the best means of ending the fearful strife.
T. F.
MAY NOT CHRISTIANS ENGAGE IN WAR AGAINST THEIR BRETHREN OR OTHERS?
We have received many inquiries in reference to the duty and propriety of Christians voluntarily or otherwise engaging in war; but in our present issue, we are disposed to merely call attention to the positions of parties, and add a few thoughts in regard to the character of the kingdom of the Savior.
We have not only been struck with the very hearty manner in which religious denominations of both sections of the country are engaging in the recently inaugurated war, but it must surprise the thoughtful to witness the conscientious zeal manifested by each in the frightful struggle. Both parties claim the sanction of Heaven, and very earnestly call upon God for help. Both cannot be right. This is not the worst feature. Preachers and editors are leaders in the strife. We have thought, indeed, that we have heard not of more blood-thirsty exhibitions than have been manifested by preachers to excite the people to deeds of blood; The problem may be of difficult solution to men of the world, who have remained indifferent as to the authority of religion. Members of the same church are in deadly array against each other, all thinking they will render service to God in slaying their brethren, and in some instances their blood relatives. Not only are religious foremost in the excitement, but are also in the very first ranks of the respective armies. A month ago, we had sup…
218
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
Proposed that editors and preachers amongst the disciples were not disposed to imbrue their hands in each other’s blood, but we were mistaken. We notice in some of our exchanges, as The Christian Record for instance, by E. Goodwin, of Indiana, the exhortation to put down opposition “peaceably if we can, forceably if we must.” What can, and must be the state of mind in such as write in this manner? Are these blood-thirsty men followers of Jesus of Nazareth? Can any one be fully under two antagonistic systems at the same time?
Regarding the Christian institution, however, some very honestly entertain the following position, viz: Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace, that in order to make his reign triumphant, a bruised reed was not to be disturbed or the smoking flax quenched, that from the moment the Master told Peter to put up his sword, no offensive or defensive weapons, save the sword of the spirit, have ever been authorized for the use of his people.
Such men also, generally, conclude that the kingdom of God is superior to the kingdoms and governments of the world—may possibly exist in any of them, or independently of them; and that the subjects of the spiritual kingdom should take no part in constructing or renewing the institutions of men. Still they are to pay their taxes, and be subject to every ordinance of man, whilst they are permitted to lead quiet and peaceable lives in all godliness and honesty. They also hold, that it is their right; if they find any civil government oppressive, to remove to another more favorable to their purposes; and in a word, they believe that Christians should take no part in the governments of the world, either to create them, fight for, or against them, or contribute in the least to their dissolution, unless it should be accomplished by the superior light of the truth, shining upon them.
But quite religious men object to this view. Some of the grounds of their objection are the following:
- They argue that, as Christians are lights in the world, they should have a controlling influence in the governments of men. This is answered by suggesting that possibly, the light of good men may be more successfully shed abroad, by keeping in their own sphere—the church—in exerting all their influence through it, and that in attempting to control civil governments, they frequently become corrupt and lose all their power as Christians.
- It is argued that, who cannot obey the powers that be, unless we shoulder our guns and fight for their defense. The answer of some is, that when the powers of the world require of the saints a course derogatory to the Christian religion, it is not improper for them to say,
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
Page 219
“Whether it be right in the right of God to obey you rather than God, judge ye.”
- It is said unless Christians fight for their homes and families, they should not have the protection of civil government. It is answered, that when the struggle is between two forms of government, or the administration of the same form by two contending parties, Christians may destroy themselves by interfering. We feel that it is proper in this connection to state our own conviction touching the use of our property. It is evident, we accumulate and hold our property under the protection of civil government, and the civil authorities have the right at all times, to appropriate it, as they think best. We are to lay up enduring treasures in heaven.
- But we did not introduce the subject of Christians taking the sword for the purpose at least for the present of arguing all the questions involved but mainly to call attention to the difficult points. We have looked at the matter calmly, and think we understand it, but we may be mistaken, and we are willing to hear the arguments of any, and of all, on both sides.
- We have long been impressed with the belief that Christians should and must exert all their influence for good, through the church, and we are satisfied the time has come for trying our fealty to Christ. It may be the crisis will expose the utter worthlessness of most of the religions of our unhappy country, and enable believers to stand forth in their true colors. It may be that God intends to prove his people, and have a registry made of all who are worthy. The war may be the occasion for the test.
- We may have more to say upon these matters as opportunity may offer, and yet we feel not at liberty to close without stating, that whilst all we have is subject to the call of our country, Christians and preachers particularly can perhaps accomplish the greatest amount of good, by employing none but spiritual weapons. If it should appear upon proper examination, that “the wicked are the sword of the Lord,” and that the righteous cannot shed the blood of their fellows with impunity, the sooner the brethren understand the truth the better. Peace must be secured by moral means alone.
- What influence are Christians exerting for the accomplishment of this earnestly desired end?
T. F.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
JOHN THE BAPTIST
‘Twas near the flush
Of eve, and with a multitude around
Who from the cities had come out to hear,
He stood, breast high, amid the running stream,
Baptizing as the Spirit gave him power.
His simple raiment was of camel’s hair,
A leathern girdle close about his loins,
His beard unshorn, and for his daily meat,
The locust and wild honey of the wood:
But like the face of Moses on the mount,
Shone his rapt countenance, and his eye
Burn’d the mild fire of love—and as he spoke
The ear lean’d to him, and persuasion swift
To the chain’d spirit of the listener stole.
Silent upon the green and sloping bank
The people sat, and while the leaves were shook
With the birds dropping early to their nests,
And the gray eve came on, within their hearts
They mused, if he were the Christ.
The rippling stream
Still turn’d its silver courses from the breast
As he divined their thoughts. “I do baptize,”
He said, “with water; but there cometh one,
The latchets of whose shoes I may not dare
E’en to unloose.
He will baptize with fire
And with the holy Ghost.” And lo! while yet
The words were on his lips, he raised his eyes,
And on the bank stood Jesus.
He had laid
His raiment off, and with his loins alone
Girt with a mantle, and his perfect limbs,
In their angelic slightness, meek and bare,
He waited to go in.
But John forbade,
And hurried to His feet and stay’d him there,
And said, “Nay, Master? I have need of thine,
Not thou of mine.” And Jesus, with a smile
Of heavenly sadness, met his earnest looks,
And answered, “Suffer it to be so now,
For thus it doth become to fulfill
All righteousness.” And leaning to the stream
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
He took around Him the Apostle’s arm
And drew him gently to the midst. The wood
Was thick with the dim twilight as they came
Up from the water. With his clasped hands
Laid on his breast, th’ Apostle silently
Followed his Master’s steps—when lo! a light,
Bright as the tenfold glory of the Sun,
Yet lambent as the softly burning stars,
Enveloped them, and from the heavens away
Parted the dim blue ether like a veil;
And as a voice, fearful exceedingly,
Broke from the midst—”This is my much-beloved Son,
In whom I am well pleased”—a snow-white dove,
Floating upon its wings, descended through,
And shielding a swell of music from its plumes,
Circled and fluttered to the Saviour’s breast.
—N. P. WILLIS
MORE SYMPATHY AMONG BRETHREN
“These are times to try men’s souls,” and we never have before,
felt so keenly the necessity of the saints drawing nearer together and
nearer to God. No one of us can stand alone, and unless we rally as
one man under the banner of our King, the loss in the army of the
faithful will be great. Every wandering sheep will be swept away,
and indeed the whole church will be sorely tried; but like the pure
gold, every trial the more clearly demonstrates the heavenly direction
of the people of faith.
There is certainly a bond of union amongst the servants of God much
stronger than any bond that binds men ordinarily. All expedients,
philosophies, and “mixed religions” must fail in the day of temptation.
The pure Christianity of the Bible alone can stand the storm test.
We are disposed to believe that we were never before in so good a
condition to study the very tender and affectionate epistles of the
beloved John.
Do the professed people of God, love really as brethren?
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
Let the members of each congregation draw closer together, and let us have meetings, brethren, general meetings, for Christian instruction, edification and spiritual improvement.
Shall we have a response?
T. F.
TO CORRESPONDENTS
Our brethren must pardon us for asking if the excessive evils in our political horizon have shaken their confidence in the truth of religion? We receive so little of a spiritual character, that we are becoming anxious to hear the brethren speak of the preaching of the Gospel, of many turning to the Lord, and of the saints rejoicing in the promised redemption.
We trust our correspondents will labor with us in the vineyard. We would be much gratified at least to hear from them very often. Will the brethren, preachers and people, and particularly correspondents, treasure up all the bits of religious intelligence that are passing and forward them to us for publication? We earnestly desire essays from the brethren also in reference to the evil, as well as all the good agencies of society.
T. F.
NEW LABORER IN THE FIELD
Our promising young brother, C. K. Marshall, who recently came to Nashville, has cast his lot amongst the brethren in Murfreesboro, and we most heartily wish him the very best success. We know of no field of labor promising more than the county of Rutherford. There are many brethren, and from their knowledge and zeal in the cause, we hope for much.
Brother Marshall will please report to us regularly.
T. F.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
PERPLEXING
We have recently visited several sections of our country, and while we found religious men more devoted than we ever knew them, the “outward pressure” is exerting a powerful influence on many. The preachers generally have run so perfectly mad about politics, and the people are so anxious to hear of the slaughter of human victims, that we find it rather difficult to preach or write with satisfaction. We were never before in such a straight. We cannot talk about passing events without danger of disagreeably involving ourselves, and as the saints and sinners generally have had such a taste created in them for the marvelous-telegraphic, it is difficult for them to give attention to matters spiritual.
But, brethren, must we not continue to preach, write, and labor in the cause of our Savior? We would be glad, indeed, to enlist a few more thousand volunteers in the cause of our Prince, but while “many are called, few are chosen.”
— T. F.
EVANGELISTS IN THE FIELD
Brethren J. K. Speer, R. B. Trimble, E. G. Sewell, Jesse Sewell, and David Lipscomb, we believe spend all their time in evangelizing in Middle Tennessee, and from their previous efficiency, we doubt not they are accomplishing a good work.
- Brother Speer resides in Columbia, gives considerable attention to the little band in that place, and also cooperates with the preachers, particularly with brother Trimble, in Williamson, Maury, etc.
- Brother Trimble’s location is Hillsboro, Williamson County, and he labors mainly in Williamson and Maury.
- Brother E. G. Sewell’s family is at Owen’s Station, but he works abroad in several adjacent counties.
- Brother Jesse Sewell’s habitual location we do not recollect at this moment, and as he has always seemed a little distant, we cannot tell much that he is doing, but he is a good preacher, and we have great confidence his work will stand the test.
- Brother David Lipscomb resides in Davidson, but his field is any place work is offered.
There may be other brethren giving their time to the regular service; and if so, we would be happy to correspond with them. It would indeed be gratifying to us, and no doubt to most of our…
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
Readers, to see official reports from any of our standard bearers in the King’s army.
Are not Brethren Homes and Cook laboring in West Tennessee? Brethren, be so good as to tell us how many of the King’s enemies you have killed, wounded, captured, “taken by guile,” or otherwise brought into the fold of the faithful. Who of the brethren will report from East Tennessee? We are brethren and must not let the world’s tricksters interfere with us.
T. F.
TO PREACHERS
Dear Brethren,
Much weightier responsibilities rest upon ministers of the word than other members of the church. It is presumed they devote more time to study than others, enjoy superior advantages, in every respect, for acquiring knowledge, and therefore having much, much will be required. The example also of ministers is presumed to be a model for others, and the least obliquities of character seriously interfere with our Christian success. It is also to be kept in mind that preachers, as Paul exhorted Timothy, are to “Preach the word”—give themselves wholly to the work of saving the lost.
Our chief purpose, however, in addressing preachers with such freedom is to appeal to them for a more earnest co-operation in the cause of our Master. Other causes of excitement have been so engrossing that our ministerial intercourse has been seriously embarrassed. Most of the religious papers North and South have suspended, or at least ceased to reach us, and we receive but few letters from preachers or others on religious matters.
Will not our Evangelists report their labor, whether successful or unsuccessful? We often improve even by our failures, and when we hear of each other’s trials our sympathies are excited, and often the heart is made better.
In very plain words, we would be most thankful to hear from our preachers often. We must not let the affairs of the world overcome our labor of love. The Lord has much for us to accomplish, and we have but little time in which to work.
Brethren, pray write.
T. F.