p. 1, para. 1 | Untitled article by W. H. M.

Untitled article

W. H. M.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · New York · March 23, 1893

Now, however, having gained numbers, wealth, popularity, it is no longer content to remain dependent but by right of its acknowledged spiritual authority must claim temporal power. That the attempt to enforce this claim should be made under existing conditions is natural, logical, historical, and so, inevitable,

except the tide of time and the nature of man should be reversed, and all mankind come, like Nicodemus, to the feet of the Lord to be taught of him, and be born again of the Spirit into righteousness.

Ecclesiasticism has always preached and practised despotism. By that sign it may be known that it has not preached the gospel or practised its precepts. The gospel affirms civil liberty; ecclesiasticism denies it. The gospel is the deadliest foe of despotism; ecclesiasticism in its infancy allies itself with despotism, in maturity usurps despotic power. Civil and religious tyranny is the product of ecclesiasticism. Civil and religious freedom is the product of the gospel. The record of the first religious Congress of the United States, just adjourned at Washington, and the inaugural of a national religion to which that record is witness, signalizes the revolution which has taken place, and gives notice to the world that in the United States the foe of the gospel, which has long been entrenched within the chancel of the Church, has now usurped the civil power. W. H. M.