p. 205 | How shall I Vote? by Dudley Marvin Canright

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 30, 1856

How shall I Vote?

By Dudley Marvin Canright

THE government of the United States, I have no doubt, is the one symbolized in prophecy, by a beast with two horns like a lamb. Rev. xiii, 11. It has fulfilled, and is fulfilling every specification of the prophecy, down to the saying that should go to "them that dwell upon the earth," that they (the people) should make an image to the papacy. Not that popery should be tolerated, and the first beast should enlarge his dominion; but that another church—the Protestant—should be clothed with civil power, and thus constitute an image to the beast which had the wound by a sword and yet lived.

This being the case, our government is just upon the eve of a political contest which will finally result in the formation of the image; for the next thing in the prophecy is the image completed and issuing its decrees of death and starvation against all who will not bow down to its authority, and receive the mark of the first beast, or take a share in the great number of his name. I do not know how this will be accomplished, or by whom; but the prophecy assures me, it will be done.

Under these circumstances, if I cast my vote at all, it will, as far as it can have any influence on this question, tell for, or against the making of the image. If I vote in favor of the formation of the image, I shall aid in creating an abomination which will persecute the saints of God, and suddenly be destroyed by the brightness of Christ's coming. I cannot aid in a work that God hates, certainly. On the other hand, if I vote against this work, I shall vote against the fulfillment of the prophecy, which is already in progress of fulfillment. This could not possibly do any good; it could not defeat the work which He has foreseen, and suffers to be done. It will surely be done; and I cannot fight against it. Therefore, I cannot vote at all.

But you can vote against slavery, says one.

Very well; supposing I do, what will be the effect? In the last great persecution, which is just before us, the decrees of the image will be against the "bond" as well as the free. Bondmen will exist then till the last—till God interposes to deliver his saints, whether bond or free. My vote then cannot free the slaves; and all apparent progress towards emancipation will only exasperate their masters, and cause an aggravation of those evils it was intended to cure. I cannot, therefore, vote against slavery; neither can I vote for it.

But are you not afraid those cruel, persecuting Catholics will get the reins of this government into their hands? Vote against the Catholics.

I have no such fears; for an image will not be the beast himself, but something which resembles him—another church-state government. Persecution is coming; and since I must meet it, what difference does it make from whom it comes? Catholics are but men, so are Protestants. I do not know that death would be any sweeter because administered by Protestants. But how shall I vote against the Catholics? By voting to exclude them from a share in the government. And when that is done, we shall have a Protestant church-state government—the image of the Roman government under the papal rule.

Again, I cannot vote for a bad man, for that is against my principles; and, under the present corrupt and corrupting state of politics, I could not wish to elevate a good man to office, for it would ruin him.

Babylon is fallen. Come out of her my people. Ephraim is joined to his idols; let him alone.

R. F. C.