SECESSION by Editor

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 28, 1861

SECESSION.

By Editor

HISTORY, says Dr. Cumming is self-repeating. So are sins. The crimes and enormities of one age are being constantly acted over in others. Such is the case with secession, used in the bad sense in which we see it illustrated at the present time in this country.

This movement which has caused so many Northern hearts to boil with indignation, which has so aroused the patriotism of the free States, and has called down upon the South the just execrations of all right-mind-ed and enlightened citizens, is no new thing. History presents us with instances more extended and atrocious than this. This was the crime, so far as we have any account, that first introduced discord into the universe of God. The prime mover and the first seceder was Satan; and the first secession movement was that which resulted in his fall and expulsion from heaven. From that time onward, so far as he has had influence in the affairs of this world, this has been one of the acts in his programme.

He effected the most notable secession movement which this world has ever seen, in the garden of Eden, when Adam, as the representative of the race and lord of the world, seceded, taking along with him this whole province into separation and revolt from the just government of God.

Did you ever think of this, that this whole earth is a seceded province? And did you ever think further that the great majority of its inhabitants are secessionists? For since the Devil is the father and promoter of all these movements, it follows that all those who are in sympathy with him, who are under his influence, partake of his spirit, or are engaged in his service, are still seceders.

Men are justly loud in their condemnation of the South in the course they have taken. Why? Because they have separated from, and are trying to injure, the best earthly government that has ever arisen. But if those who thus talk will look a little further they will see that they are only in a mild degree passing sentence upon themselves. You who are so fierce in your denunciations of Southern secession, pause a moment—you yourselves are seceders in a worse sense than those you so loudly condemn. If you are enabled to see the heinousness of secession on a small scale, just give your attention to that larger exhibition of it, which is found all over the globe.

Sinner, from what government have you seceded? The infinitely just and perfect government of God. And what provocation have you had for so doing? None at all; but more than this, you have done it right in the face of innumerable benefits gratuitously commenced and gratuitously continued. Let these considerations, while they do not lessen your condemnation of Southern madness, open your eyes to the position which you yourself are occupying.

We abhor secession from that which is just and good, in any class, and in any form. We abhor sympathy with rebels against God and his government. We love that which has thrown off allegiance to the

powers of darkness, and is in union and sympathy with the work and government of God.

Our advice to every secessionist would be immediate surrender. Surrender you must, sooner or later, voluntarily or by compulsion. The time is drawing near when this work will be finished, and this movement be effectually put down; when the secession ordinance passed in Eden will be annulled; when this seceded earth will be brought back into allegiance to its rightful heir; and when all seceders, leader and subject, root and branch, will be blotted from the land of the living. And all this will be accomplished much more completely and effectually than this government is able to crush it out in the disaffected South.

Our counsel would be not only surrender, but immediate surrender. You know not how soon you may be past the point where it is in your power to decide. Twenty days, said Lincoln in his proclamation, I give the rebels in which to lay down their arms and disperse. A less time than this may be allotted you. One thing you know: you have had fair warning that this rebellion shall be crushed, and the rebels dealt with according to the rigors of God's law, which says that the soul that sinneth it shall die.