YE ARE NOT OF THIS WORLD.
By Editor
This declaration of our Saviour to his disciples is now beginning to be more fully illustrated in the excitement and agitation which is at the present time pervading this nation. People may wonder that we take so little interest in, or rather that we manifest no desire to take part in, the great excitements and political contests of the day. But the motives by which we are actuated may be easily told. He whom we have acknowledged to be our Lord and Master, and whom we are willing to have "reign over us," has declared that his kingdom is not of this world. Following in his footsteps, looking to those mansions which he has gone away to prepare for us, and waiting the time when the kingdom and dominion under the whole heaven shall be given to the saints of the Most High, we confess ourselves pilgrims and strangers on the earth. Suppose we were the soldiers of some earthly monarch, and were marching through an enemy's land to our own kingdom; would it be right in us to halt by the way, and engage ourselves in the peculiar questions which might concern the country through which we were passing? Ought we to connect ourselves with them, and locate our treasures in their territory? When we should do this, would we not be traitors rather than true and loyal soldiers? So it is with us. Though in a spiritual sense, our warfare, our pilgrimage, our march through an enemy's land, is none the less real. Political parties are raging, the public mind is in a state of feverish excitement, and political demagogues are stretching every nerve, each to secure the success of his own party, and the election of the rulers of his own choice; but we care not to engage in any of these questions; for our ruler is already chosen, and his inauguration-day is fast approaching. The political parties of the earth are each liable to see their hopes defeated, and their expectations disappointed. But we are liable to no such casualty. There is no possibility of his being defeated who is soon to reign over us. No councils of men can thwart the decrees of the Almighty. But, says one, have you then no sympathy for the rights of justice and humanity? nor for the downtrodden and the oppressed? nor for the claims of right over those of wrong? To be sure we have; but how are these evils to be remedied? Neither John C. Freemont nor James Buchanan can remedy the injustice, the deceit, the oppression, the sin and suffering even of one portion of this Union, nor of one State, nor of one County, nor of one Town, nor of one District. So long as sin is in the world it will bring forth its fruit; it will prompt men still to do deeds of villainy and guilt. But when our King cometh he will remedy all these, and more than these. When his dominion shall be established "from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth," not one portion of the earth merely will be ruled in equity and righteousness, but it will all be so. All wrong shall be righted, all oppression made to cease, all sin destroyed, all suffering relieved, all death be banished, all tears be wiped from every eye, all the curse be removed, all the earth be renewed, all happiness be restored to man, all his subjects be made immortal, and crowned with everlasting joy. Till this time comes earth will never behold that state of peace and happiness and prosperity which men would fain witness. A lifeless church with all its formal efforts to convert the world, is making no advance towards it. It cannot be accomplished by raising any artful demagogue to the summit of political power. It can only be accomplished by Him who "was manifested that he might destroy the works of the Devil." Therefore in him our hope is centered. We shall point others to him as the only source from which help may be expected. We shall endeavor to serve him as loyal subjects, and be prepared for his appearing and kingdom.