The Gospel Advocate – August 28, 1866

by

THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE

Editors: T. Fanning, D. Lipscomb
Vol. VII
Nashville, August 28, 1866
Number 35

AN ESSAY ON THE RELATION SUSTAINED BY CHRISTIANS TO CIVIL GOVERNMENTS – NO. V

By Dr. C. Mitchell

Another feature that bears forcibly against Christians participating in the rights of citizenship, holding office, &c., is the proverbial corruption and wickedness of all political organizations and court circles. The capitals of States are noted for every vice, and as it has always been, so it will be to the end—wickedness will revel in high places. Good men cannot engage, to any extent, in political life without contamination. If they are really upright, God-fearing men, they continually feel out of place and are rendered uncomfortable.

Can it be the will of the blessed Savior that those whom he has “called out from the world,” to be a “peculiar people,” “a holy nation,” and who he has enjoined to “be not conformed to this world,” should thus ally themselves with such companions and associations? He who can so think, must have a low estimate indeed, of our holy religion.

So perfect is the law of the Lord that we find our duties in all the relations of life clearly defined in such a manner that their observance renders society completely harmonious, and secures the highest degree of human happiness. The relations of parent and child, husband and wife, master and servant, subjects of civil governments, members and officers of the church are all regulated, yet we fail to find any directions whatever for the exercise of sovereignty by man—not one word in the entire New Testament with regard to voting or ruling by which we are to be guided.

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Hence, when we engage in them we walk in darkness and not in the light. Are Christians prepared to charge the author of the Bible with oversight or neglect, or to pronounce his law imperfect?

But we are not left on this important subject to mere inference. The Apostle Paul tells us that “God hath not appointed us to wrath.” (1 Thess. v: 9). The Greek word in this passage translated wrath, is orge, which Robinson defines, “the punitive wrath of God,” and it is the same word found in Romans x: 13: 4, where the civil ruler is declared to be “the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath (orge) upon him that doeth evil.” So, then, we have the authority of Paul for saying that the wrath or punishment to be executed upon the wicked and disobedient, the saints of God are not appointed to engage in. The instruments of God’s wrath are the ungodly. In entire accordance with this is the language of David, Psalms x: 13, “Deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword.” I might enter into an examination of the sacred history for the purpose of showing that God, during the typical dispensations, did so use the heathen nations as “the rod of his anger.” But the limits assigned to this essay forbid that I should do more than cite the candid reader to this source of instruction, with the assumption that he will be amply rewarded for its investigation.

PRACZ VOTERS

There is a class of men who condemn war as incompatible with Christianity, yet persist in voting and engaging in political contests. They avail themselves of the privilege of citizenship in Caesar’s kingdom, but refuse him service when he requires it. There is no consistency in such a course. The man who votes ought at all times to be ready to follow his ballot with a bullet and a bayonet. An election to civil office is worthless if the strong arm or the militia is withheld. A defeated aspirant with a small band of adherents, having no compunctions against warfare, could hold his office against any number who would not fight. Civil government, without the sword, is powerless, and elections are a mere farce.

Although the military power may not be called into actual requisition, it is nevertheless the constant sanction of human laws, and the fear of it alone compels the compliance of the unruly. If I aid to elect a man to office, I am bound to aid him in the execution of it. If the people are sovereign it becomes them to enforce their will. There is no escape from this position. There can be no consistent anti-war voters. Besides, he who votes for a President, or Governor of a State, votes for the commander-in-chief of the army and navy, or of the militia. They, then, as agents of the voters, command the military forces of the country, and conduct all wars in which the country may be involved, for and in the name of the “sovereign people.” If I elect a man to office; I constitute him my agent to perform the duties of the office. “Qui facit per alium facit per se”—what I do by another I do by myself—is a maxim of law that holds good in all.

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The relations of life. If war be a crime, he who, by his vote, sends men to the field, is equally guilty of the blood of his slaughtered fellow-men as those who are personally engaged in the conflict.

The conclusions thus arrived at may be summed up as follows:

  1. A Christian is a subject of whatever government he happens to live under.
  2. A citizen of any of them he cannot be, for his citizenship is in Heaven.
  3. As a subject he is required to submit to and obey the powers that be, without regard to their character, so far as he can do so without violating the law of God.
  4. War is in violation of the law of God, therefore he cannot engage in it.

I use the terms citizen and subject as defined by Webster, viz:

  • Citizen – “One vested with the rights of a freeman.”
  • Subject – “One who is under the power of another.”

No doubt many good and sincere persons have engaged in war whose hearts were not in it—who had not imbibed the war spirit, but regarded it as their duty thus to serve the government of the country. Such persons have great need to learn the truth, in order that they may be made free from the bondage of this world. Hence the necessity that this subject should be thoroughly investigated, in the full light of revelation, that we may all be of the same mind.

OBJECTIONS ANSWERED

  1. It will be objected that if all men should decline to take any part in the affairs of government, the wicked and malevolent would go unpunished and unrestrained.
    I reply, so long as any considerable number of people persist in rejecting God and the Government of the Lord Jesus Christ (which will be as long as the present age lasts), just so long will God find means to ordain kings and princes for their punishment, and when all men shall recognize the supreme sovereignty of Prince Emmanuel, we will have a government infinitely transcending all others. The name of Jesus through faith in his name, expels the evil spirit from the heart of man, and prepares it to become the temple of the Great King. When all men thus acknowledge him, the necessity for earthly governments will have passed away together with the lawless and the ungodly for whose punishment they were established. To pray for and hasten this blissful period is the duty of every soldier of the Cross, while with the sword of the Spirit he brings men to Christ, and tears down the principalities and powers that array themselves against his authority.
  2. The objector will continue: That while ungodly men are in the world, and civil governments are necessary, it would be better for Christians to take control of political affairs in order that the wicked may be prevented from ruling. In other words, Christians, as well as the wicked…

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and disobedient, are required to submit to temporal powers, and it would be much better for them if Christians held the offices.

I appreciate the force of this objection, and am aware of the insidious manner in which it is used by that old serpent, the devil and his cohorts, to seduce the citizens of Christ’s Kingdom from their allegiance to the only and blessed Potentate and Sovereign, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Those who permit themselves to be carried away by this argument forget that it is written: “The Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.” As long as human governments are used by Him as instruments of wrath, He will raise up such men for the various places as demanded by His wise purposes. To suppose that He requires our assistance so greatly, as to desire His children to become entangled in the strifes and contentions of this world, is at once a reflection on His most excellent majesty, and a vain assumption of our own importance, both of which are alike displeasing to our Heavenly Father. He can safely be trusted to rule the world without our assistance, and the very fact that He has not called us to this service, and has given us no directions for its performance, should be regarded by all as conclusive that He does not desire us to labor in that field.

On the other hand, the well-authenticated truth that when Christians become engrossed in political affairs, they lose their spiritual enjoyment, distract their religious associations, and soon lose all spiritual life, plainly indicates the disapprobation of God. Christianity thrown into the political arena becomes the mere sport of political demagogues, a cloak for corrupt hypocrites, and her bonded devotees are bought and sold in the political markets.

We are frequently met with Paul’s case. He accepted a guard of Roman soldiers and appealed to Caesar. True, he did, but did he ever exercise the rights of Roman citizenship? Did he ever participate in the affairs of Roman government? These were merely the protections that the Roman Empire had thrown around her subjects. The only legitimate deduction to be drawn from the conduct of the Apostle is that when Christians, in the performance of their duty, become obnoxious to the civil authorities, it is their privilege to avail themselves of all the security provided for them by the civil laws. Thus does God often open up a door of escape for His people. Paul was a Roman subject, and as such, was entitled to the protection provided by the Roman government for all her subjects. We see here a fulfillment of that Scripture which says, “Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise (reward) of the same, (the power) for he is the minister of God to thee for good.”

Many persons who would think he Christians and politicians at one and the same time, seek to find a Divine character for civil government in the Noachian covenant, and in order that they may have the full benefit.

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of whatever sanction may be found therein, permit me to quote the whole of it, so far as it pertains to the subject:

Gen. ix. “And surely your blood of your lives will I require, at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life of man. Whoso shed- deth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.” This is the language of legislation—not of delegation. The Almighty first declares the penalty of homicide, and then specifies the means by which it shall be enforced. There is no surrender of absolute and unlimited sovereignty—no limitation or qualification of that supreme dominion, which we have seen long subsequently to be vested in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is entirely consistent with the truth that God uses the wicked of this world to execute punishment.

But I might reply, concede all doubt is claimed for this scripture, and yet you sanction for a Christian to engage in the affairs of civil government. The servants of Jesus Christ are under a new and different reign, which was formerly inaugurated by His ambassadors on the memorable Pentecost, and they must receive their law from Him who, on that day was authoritatively declared to be “both Lord and Christ.” Capital punishment for homicide is, no doubt, a universal law of Jehovah, and it will continue to be inflicted so long as murders are committed, but the believer is called as the servants of the Prince of Peace, to execute it for Him.

Some may inquire what course the Christian should take, if called on by a civil or military officer to execute the laws? Or if he should be drafted into the military service? It is impossible for us to fully understand the details of God’s providence, so as to apply them to special cases before they arise, but we have one general rule which will furnish a safe guide, under any such circumstances, by which we may be surrounded. Trusting implicitly in our Heavenly Father, and relying on His promises, appear to answer before any civil tribunal before which we may be summoned—avail ourselves of all avenues of escape the law leaves open for us, and calmly and patiently abide the result. Our religious language is, “When they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: for the Holy Spirit shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.” Luke xii.: 11-12. “For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but there shall not a hair of your head perish.” Luke xxi.: 15-18.

I am aware that there is a disposition to restrict this promise to the establishment age of the church, and to the twelve apostles to whom it was immediately addressed. I apprehend that there is too much Scripture…

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Nature and religion, too, disposed of in this way. The apostles possessed no advantage over other Christians, save such as were essential to the performance of the special duties assigned them. For these the Holy Spirit simply qualified them as the occasion demanded. The same spirit is given to us as a comforter, to strengthen our infirmities, and He will render us sufficient for all emergencies in the line of our duty. Besides, we have the blessed assurance that, “The angel of the Lord encampeth round about those that fear him, and delivereth them.” Psalms xxxiv: 7.

A most striking instance of the fulfillment of these promises occurred in comparatively modern times. Behold that God-fearing, God-trusting man, Martin Luther, before the Diet of Worms. Fearlessly he stands in the presence of that mighty and terrible monarch, Charles the Fifth, surrounded by the supple kings and princes that do his bidding. The populace, inflamed by the fulminations of papal Rome, clamored tumultuously for his blood. There is no arm of flesh on which Luther can rely, but trusting solely in the God whom he served, and ready for any fate, he heroically maintained his faith, and God delivered him. All ages would record similar triumphs, could they possess such faith. In the past few centuries Christians have escaped persecutions, but it has been at the expense of Christianity. We have had no martyrs, but it has been for want of the spirit of the martyrs. Christians have enjoyed the favor of the powers of this world, but to do so they have conformed to the world. The unconverted world is no better at heart today than those who crucified the Redeemer of the world. I heartily hope to live to see the line of demarcation between the church and the world once more distinctly drawn—to see the distinction between the people of God and those who reject him sharply marked. The delusive peace enjoyed by the church has been more detrimental to her than all the persecutions she ever suffered.

Let Christians do their whole duty under all circumstances, and suffer whatever trials our Heavenly Father, through the civil powers, may permit to fall upon us, submitting to them in all things, even unto death, remembering that “all things work together for good to those who love God.”

A learned teacher of the religious political school has recently attempted that “the non-resistance, no-government principle involves so many practical absurdities, that in most cases it will curse itself.” The author of this sentiment needs light, or to speak probably with more accuracy, he needs to have his eyes opened, in order that he may see clearly the difference between having no civil government at all, and having one in which Christians do not participate. No intelligent non-resistant is a “no-government” man, because he recognizes the civil government as the minister of God to him for good, and the sword borne by God’s avengers is his guarantee against the depredations of the wicked.

Doing a child of God, and relying upon his promises with his whole heart, he trusts in Him for safety, not forgetting that God works through and by…

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Appointed instrumentalities. When God says “resist not evil—avenge not yourselves, but rather give place to the wrath of God,” he takes him at his word, and does not presume to argue with the Almighty, that “such principles involve so many practical absurdities that they will cure themselves.” When the principles promulgated by the Lord Jesus Christ are thus openly ridiculed by one who teaches in his name, we may, indeed, inquire, “Will the Son of man find faith in the earth when he comes?”

I fully concede the necessity of two systems of government, so long as there are two classes of people in the world, but I do most strenuously contend that they be kept separate and distinct from one another, and that the subjects of each confine their services to their own master. I hope to be so fully understood on this point that no one will hereafter have any excuse for placing us in a false position. When the “practical absurdities of non-resistants” are enumerated, let them be the absurdities of the non-resistance two-government principles.

It may be asked whether the strict non-resistance construction herein given to the teachings of Christ will not entail all controversy and disputation? To this I reply, that with Christ, the overt act is not the criterion. It is the spirit of warfare and strife that is condemned, and the existence of this spirit is equally condemnable, whether manifested in physical warfare or in bitter and acrimonious disputation. But discussions engaged in for the purpose of eliciting truth, conducted in a spirit of love, are not only entirely consistent with Christianity, but are absolutely essential to her advancement. The apostles and evangelists of the primitive church courted this kind of warfare. The Kingdom of Heaven is aggressive, and will never rest until her territorial jurisdiction is fully restored. The word of God is the all-powerful weapon, and in the use of that sword every soldier of the Cross should be an expert.

The boundary line between church and State has been long neglected, that the difficulty of distinguishing between what belongs to the church and what to the world may discourage some from making any attempt to leave the broad way, wherein there is so much company and so many willing guides. For the benefit of such, permit me to suggest the following salutary rule, that should be constantly before the Christian pilgrim’s eyes. Suppose the citizens of Christ’s kingdom were physically separated by territorial boundaries from the rest of the world, what pursuits would be lawful? By such a mental process the contrast between the things of God and the inventions and devices of men may be quite vividly drawn. As nearly as possible the separation should be thus complete.

Brother Joseph A. A___, of Ottawa, Canada, writes that the cause is on the increase in many parts of the Queen’s dominions. Three were recently added to Toronto.

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THE NEW HYMN BOOK

Bro. Fanning & Lipscomb:
As you have published several articles on the New Hymn Book, which are candid, I think, to lead to wrong conclusions in reference to that work, and as it is very desirable for us all to come to such an understanding as will tend to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, I hope you will give the following statement of facts and letters of recommendation a place in your paper:

In the fall of 1863, a communication was addressed to Alexander Campbell, which we give below, together with the signatures:

Elder Alexander Campbell, Bethany, West Virginia:
Dearly Beloved Brother:
The undersigned, your warm personal friends, and bound to you by ties of the deepest sympathy in the cause you have so long and so successfully advocated, desire to communicate with you concerning a matter which so seriously affects the unity and welfare of our religious movement.

We have long been aware of a growing sentiment in favor of a change in our church psalmody; without discussion and without effort, it has ripened into an almost universal desire. There is now a general and universal demand for a Hymn Book, larger and more fully adapted to all the wants of private, social, and public worship.

This demand, now so generally known and frequently expressed, is likely to give birth to several compilations, undertaken by individuals on their own responsibility. The result, if they go forward, must be to flood our community with a variety of books, and destroy the unity and harmony in worship, by which, as a people, we have hitherto been characterized.

Earnestly wishing to avoid this calamity and desiring to forestall these individual schemes, we are greatly solicitous to enlist you in a plan, which, while it will meet the demands of our community, will at the same time, tend to preserve us one people. We beg, therefore, to submit most respectfully the following suggestions:

  1. Let the copyright of the Hymn Book now in use, be made over to the Board of the American Christian Missionary Society, that its profits may go to the support of missions.
  2. Let the committee of suitable brethren, to be mutually selected by yourself and the Board, be chosen to undertake the revision and arrangement of the book.
  3. Let the announcement be made in time, that such an arrangement is made, and that it will be carried into effect as soon as possible.

The Advantages of This Plan Are:

  1. It will retain substantially, in use the present book—all the Hymns which have become dear to us in the associations of the last forty years.
  2. It will enable us who have the present book, to continue its use until it be worn out.

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  1. It will check the attempt to introduce other books, having in view the profits of individual enterprise.
  2. It will make a permanent fund for missionary purposes, and link your work with missionary enterprises.
  3. It will greatly contribute to unity of spirit and harmony of effort among our widely extended community.

We are well satisfied, unless something of this kind is done, there will be many unhappy effects flowing from numerous and ill-advised attempts to introduce books, which, while they will succeed in crowding out of use the present book, will no longer allow to us the sacred and hallowing associations and the harmonizing tendencies which we have so largely enjoyed in the past, from the use of our book of worship.

We wish to learn from you, at your earliest convenience, your views and wishes touching this most grave and important matter. We have selected Isaac Errett, of Detroit, Mich., to conduct the correspondence with you, and will be pleased to receive, through him, your reply to this communication.

(Signed)

  • R. MILLIGAN, Harrodsburg, Ky.
  • L. L. PINKERTON,
  • J. B. BOWMAN,
  • J. W. McGARVEY, Lexington,
  • JOS. WASSON,
  • JOHN RODGERS, Carlisle,
  • JOHN SHACKELFORD, Paris,
  • BENJ. FRANKLIN, Cincinnati, Ohio.
  • W. BAXTER,
  • H. H. BROWITT,
  • H. R. SLOAN, Mt. Vernon,
  • A. S. HAYDEN, Euclid,
  • W. JOHNSTON, Eureka, Ill.
  • S. K. HOSBOUR, Indianapolis, Ind.
  • A. H. BEDINGTON,
  • W. A. BIELDING, Syracuse, N.Y.
  • H. HAWLEY, Detroit, Michigan.
  • COLIN CAMPBELL,
  • ISAAC ERRETT,
  • DR. S. E. SHEPARD, Pennsylvania.

Brother Campbell, after mature consideration, very generously and cheerfully assented to the above plan, with one important modification. He thought it was best to have the ownership and publication of the new book kept entirely distinct from the Missionary Society or its Board; and modified the plan by making a need of the copyright to the Trustees, having no official connection with the Missionary Society whatever. By this change, neither the Society nor its managers had any voice as to…

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When, where, how, or by whom the book should be published. They can neither fix the price nor determine the size of profits of the book, but merely receive as much or as little revenue from it as the Trustees choose to assess.

The Plan for Publishing the New Hymn Book

The project of a few men. At the beginning, when the twenty men united in the above petition, it was known to, and had the concurrence of, a large number of brethren.

A year after, and before the matter was consummated, it came before a large gathering of leading men from various States, because it was desired that not a “few dozen men,” but the utmost possible number of our brethren should have a voice in determining the plan—”The people,” and the representatives of the people, in a word. In this way, and with Bro. Campbell’s advice and assent, men were selected to enlarge and revise the book, and other men to hold it in trust and arrange for its publication.

No other plan could have secured the combined wisdom and cooperation of so many of our brethren, or have placed the revision and publication of the book in the hands of men at once so competent and pecuniarily disinterested.

We wish the reader to note, that under the above arrangement, a new Hymn Book was carefully prepared and published. It came before the brotherhood, not suddenly, as a thief in the night, but was extensively made known by announcements in all of our periodicals, and by circulars. As soon as the book was ready, the people were ready for it. For six months it was impossible to supply the demand. It sold at more than three times the rate of the old book. There was much said in the Review about the book being too large and costly to sell; but the “people” settled that question in a very practical manner.

We ask, further, the reader’s particular attention to this, that after the new Hymn Book had been introduced into more than four hundred churches, and was owned by more than twenty thousand Disciples, and while, with unabated demand, it was being introduced into new fields, a new book was announced, by not a “few dozen men,” but by a SINGLE INDIVIDUAL; an individual never heard of in the United States by one in a hundred of our brethren.

Perhaps, as this one man, to-wit: James Bently, of Toronto, Canada West, has given to the public, through the medium of the Review, his opinions about the new Hymn Book, it may be a matter of some interest to some of “the people” to read what some other of “the people” have to say.

We, on account of the length, cannot publish the notices as sent us.

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but state that strong commendatory notices of the excellence of the Hymn Book are given by the following named brethren:

  • R. M. Allingham, President of Kentucky University
  • Elder P. S. Fall, Nashville, Tenn.
  • Jno. Aug. Williams, Kentucky University
  • Elder David Woolf, Paris, Ky.
  • Elder Thos. Munnell
  • Dr. W. H. Hopson, Richmond, Va.
  • Elder J. S. Sweeney, Pastor Shab Street Church, Cincinnati, Dr. L. L. Pinkerton, Lexington, Ky.
  • Silas W. Leonard, author of the Christian Psalmist
  • Elder W. A. Dealing, Troy, N.Y.
  • Elder Calvin Reasoner, Corresponding Secretary of Kansas Missionary Society
  • Elder W. C. Rogers, Corresponding Secretary A. C. M. Society
  • Elder R. C. Ricketts, 81 Medway, Ky.
  • Dr. R. Richardson, Professor Bethany College
  • Prof. C. L. Loos, Bethany College, Va.
  • Elder J. W. McGarvey, of Kentucky University
  • Elder Wm. Baxter
  • Elder W. L. Williams, of Hustonville, Ky.
  • Elder Jas. Challen, Davenport, Iowa
  • G. T. Carpenter, Professor in Oskaloosa College
  • A. D. Fillmore, and last, but not least, Bro. Benj. Franklin

In the Review of May 22d, says:

“It is exceedingly important that we come to an agreement, as a body or brotherhood, in reference to a hymn book. There should be nothing like rivalry between different books. We do not say it is indispensable, but it is certainly highly important that the friends of Jesus and of the Bible, in all churches, should have the same hymns, so that when the disciple of Jesus, in traveling anywhere through the world, falls in with his brethren and joins in the worship, he will not only find the familiar old Bible, but the next book to it, the familiar hymn book.”

In our late visits in Ohio and Kentucky, we have found the book being introduced gradually into nearly all the congregations, and for the most part, giving pretty good satisfaction. The foregoing represents a portion only of the words of approbation received. It would be easy to produce similar testimonials from brethren whose ability to judge in the matter is well known to a number greater than the hymns in the book, and which would fill a volume, if published.

On behalf of the Trustees,
R. M. BISHOP, Ch’n.

These brethren, many of them, at least, are men of eminently sound and discriminating judgment in reference to the excellence of hymns. To which list we are perfectly willing to add our own. Stating that as a collection, while there are some objectionable hymns as we know anywhere, the selection, as a whole, is probably as good as can be found elsewhere. The compilation of a hymn book is a work of human hands; and all such work will be faulty and imperfect. This is probably as good a selection as has been presented, taking its size into consideration. Yet we wish the readers to note that scarcely a single name mentioned in the foregoing list is a traveling active evangelist engaged in the work of…

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preaching in the highways of earth to the poor. They are those, so far as known to me, preaching in the cities to the rich and fashionable churches, who profess in schools and colleges, unfamiliar with the wants of those doing true evangelical labor. Their ideas of the needs and wants of society are formed from the habits and tastes of those with whom they are associated. The people, the poor and the preachers who preach to the poor, realize the utter unfitness of the book to the demands of their labor. They demand a smaller, cheaper book. But the objection of all objections to us to this book is its connection with the Society. An association of the operations of this Society by no means lessens our objection to it. The committee who acts as trustees for this book, are the leading men of the Society, notwithstanding Bro. Campbell’s wish, as above stated, that they should not be officially connected with it. There are other matters connected with this we would like to present, but must await another opportunity.

D. L.

REQUESTS OF CHRISTIAN MEN

From the July number of the Millennial Harbinger, by Brethren Pendleton and Loos, at Bethany, West Virginia, we glean the following, viz:

“Our readers may remember to have seen, some months ago, an account of the death of our aged Brother Pickard, of Ohio. His life was prolonged to a good old age, and closed with the consecration of his all to public benevolence. He gives his entire estate, at the death of his widow, to Bethany College, amounting to some $5,000 or $6,000. Still more recently we have been informed of the death of our venerable brother, Daniel Monroe, of New York city. He was the life-long and devoted friend of Father Campbell—a pure, noble and upright Christian gentleman as it has been our lot to meet with in this pilgrimage. He died full of years, and devoted what of this world’s goods the Lord had given him, to the noblest ends of human life. Among his bequests, Bethany College was liberally remembered, and his last will and testament speaks in harmony with his whole life, of the deep sincerity of his heart, in all that he professed as a Christian.”

We are glad to see the devoted friends of our late brother, Alexander Campbell, and aged pilgrims desiring to glorify God by the goods of earth in their possession, contributing to the cause of education. We knew Brother Monroe well, and our judgment of him for thirty years has been that he was one whose great aim was to promote the world’s good, and do all that he could to advance the Redeemer’s Kingdom. This is a matter about which Christians will be apt to think more seriously than heretofore. “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof,” and it should be our constant study to glorify God, not only by our bodies and spirits, which are his, but also by all the means of earth the Father has.

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The uncertainty of earthly possessions has been abundantly shown in the Southern States for a few years past, and the idea of laying up a large amount for children and relations is not always wise, and very often it is most hurtful to the supposed beneficiaries. The whole secret of gaining the comforts of life, and in fact, an independence and wealth, consists in capacity to make and appreciate property. Any youth of health, good habits, and a capacity for business, is sure of success in life, though he should not have a change of raiment to commence the work; while the unsteady and incompetent are always injured by wealth heaped upon them by too fond parents and unwise friends.

Brethren, let us do good with what we possess. We, too, have a noble enterprise on foot in Middle Tennessee. Our ambition is to live to see an institution of learning in this country, giving educational facilities to from 500 to 1000 youths annually, free of charge. A very large amount will not be required, and we are amply able to accomplish this great work if we will but give the subject the attention it deserves. That such a school will go into operation in a few years, we doubt not, and therefore, we speak in confidence, and we expect to labor in confidence for its consummation.
— T. F.

CHRISTIANS SHOULD PUT ALL THEIR SURPLUS MEANS INTO THE LORD’S TREASURY.

Every nation has its treasury. The Jewish nation had one, which was called the Lord’s treasury. We need only to mention these facts. And has the “holy nation” no treasury? All admit that the Church of God has a treasury; but, to the shame of the “citizens of the commonwealth of Israel,” that treasury is generally empty, and well-nigh bankrupt. The treasury of the Lord has so little in it that it presents no temptation to the thieving propensities of men. And why is this so? Partly because the fundamental nature of this obligation is not understood; and partly because professing Christians do not like to incur the risk of making deposits in this treasury. They prefer some worldly banking institution, where it is safely locked up in fireproof safe or chest; and where, perchance, an armed sentinel stands guard. Or, it may be, they prefer to invest in government stocks, not knowing that soon, and perhaps very soon, these governments will fall to pieces, and their promises to pay be blown away like leaves before the storm!

Christian, the safest place in which to deposit your surplus funds is the Lord’s treasury. The banks may fail, or be robbed; the government securities may prove to be worthless, and the government itself may go down in anarchy and ruin; but the Lord endureth forever, and his promises never, never fail!

We learn from the Acts of the Apostles that when the Church of God…

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was first organized “the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul; neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. Neither was there any among them that lacked; for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the apostles’ feet; and distribution was made unto every man, according as he had need.” (Acts iv: 32-35.)

In this case all the available means were put into the treasury. This arrangement grew out of the circumstances by which the disciples were surrounded. In view of the persecutions to which they would be subjected, and in view of the destruction of the city of Jerusalem, which Christ had predicted, the best policy which they could have adopted was that here set forth. And while we do not regard this plan as binding now on the followers of Christ, it is certainly suggestive of important reflections.

Ananias and Sapphira, his wife, sold a possession, and kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.” From the language of Peter, in reply to Ananias, we learn that “while it remained (unsold), was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power?” From this it would appear that, after being sold, the funds arising from such sale were still in “the power” of Ananias, even after they had been laid at the apostles’ feet; so that he had no excuse whatever for keeping back part of the price. He could withdraw the whole, or a part, if he willed to do so; or he could indicate the direction which he desired it to take in the distribution. But he kept back part of the price, lied to the Holy Spirit, and suffered death as the consequence.

In 1 Cor. xvi, we read: “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week, let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.” This, like the case just examined, is of a special character; and relates to the necessities of the poor saints at Jerusalem. But it is a divine precedent, and should be followed by all the congregations of the Church of God; indeed, these two examples furnish the only precedents we have on this subject. And it must not be forgotten that the New Testament is a book of principles as well as precepts, and that these principles grow out of the precepts, precedents, and general teachings of the Scriptures, as well as the genius and spirit of the Gospel of Christ.

In business, men usually have a certain amount invested, called capital. The profits arising from this investment is the measure of prosperity; and

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Of this increase the Christian is to put into the Lord’s treasury according to a specific rule; and that rule is, “as the Lord has prospered him.” If the Lord has prospered him ten, twenty, thirty, or a hundred dollars per week, he must give “As the Lord has prospered him;” and if he professes to do this, and yet falls far short of it, he is guilty before God of a sin similar in kind to that of Ananias. This is a dreadful sentence; but is it not true? If the Lord has prospered me fifty or a hundred dollars a week, and I go to the Christian synagogue on Lord’s day, professing to give as the Lord has prospered me, and only put ten, fifteen, or thirty cents into the Lord’s treasury, am I not guilty of untruth? And if the deacons were to ask the questions, “Have you given as the Lord prospered you?” and I were to answer in the affirmative, when, in fact, I had not so given, what would be my standing before God? We will leave our readers to answer this question, each one for himself.

From the Economic Banner

CHRISTIAN CITIZENSHIP

But to the disgrace of the Christian name and the Christian ministry, professed ministers of Christ, of the meek and lowly Savior, have gone into the pulpits of the land, and, instead of “preaching Christ and him crucified,” they have mounted some political, partisan, sectional hobby, and made that the topic of discussion for the edification of their hearers. On such themes they have grown grandiloquent, and received their reward in the theatrical shouts and applause of the multitude! What we have just stated is known to be a fact, read and known of all men. And some have not even paused here. They have gone one step further, appealed to the worst passions of the human heart, and clamored for the shedding of human blood! We pity the flock when its pastors are men of blood! We pity the church whose teacher is a politician! And we pity the people whose preachers and religious editors are captains, generals, or partisan leaders of any sort. God help His cause, when the professed followers of the meek and lowly Savior can meet on the battlefield and imbrue their hands in each other’s blood! God pity the world, when the professed ministers of Christ abandon the cross for the politician’s pulpit!

I could angels weep, they would weep bitter tears over such scenes as these! But, alas, while they hover near to bear the joyful news to Heaven that one sinner has repented, they have to cover their faces with their wings and report, no sinner repents. “Demas,” thus abandoned the glorious theme of the bitter agony and death of Christ, “having loved the present world.”

“God and country,” is the growl of one who professes to be a Christian preacher! How unlike the language of the Heaven-inspired!

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The apostle, who “had no certain dwelling-place.” “For I determined not to know anything among you save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” (1 Cor. 2.) How unlike the language and faith of Abraham, whose son, too, he professed to be! How unlike, indeed, the language of all those ancient worthies, who “confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” “For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country,” a “better,” a “Heavenly country.”

While we, as Christians, should be profoundly thankful that the “lines have fallen to us in pleasant places,” and that we enjoy the great and glorious privilege of serving God according to His word, still we should never forget “that we are strangers and pilgrims on the earth,” and that “this is not our home.” We “seek a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” Earthly cities and kingdoms have no solid foundations, and will soon pass away. “He builds too low, who builds beneath the skies.”

WHY DO WE NOT WRITE MORE?

This question, in various forms, has been submitted for our consideration within the present year, and we take this occasion to answer. The Gospel Advocate we consider ably edited without a line from us. We are not disposed to flatter, but we find Bro. D. Lipscomb a strong and vigorous writer, an earnest man, and one who knows and loves the truth. Of course, he is mortal—he has faults, is not an angel, but we know not where to find a writer amongst the brethren better qualified to instruct in apostolic Christianity. We think likely the occasion may offer soon, when it will become our duty to write much more than at present. We trust that we may be ready to do our duty.

F.

Brother Robert Ussery, near Aberdeen, Miss., informs us that by the aid of Brethren Jerry Randolph and John McCabe, he added fifty-seven to the church during the latter part of 1865, in his vicinity. We would be pleased to have full reports from these brethren often. We know something of their hardships, and would that we could relieve them. If we will but be faithful to our colors, the Lord will come to our relief.

TO CORRESPONDENTS

In writing for the Advocate, correspondents will please write on one side of the paper only. Write as distinctly as possible, and without flourishes. Proper names should be written very plain.

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