Taxes by Jos. Clarke

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 28, 1862

Taxes.

By Jos. Clarke

SOME grudge to pay their taxes, thinking it money as good as thrown away.

Now let us see how it is. I can go to my work without fear of violence from the robber, because the jail and courthouse and statute are a terror to evil-doers. Is not this worth something to me?

I can take my team and travel in any direction, pass over expensive roads and bridges in safety, and comfort, and this generally free. Is not this worth something to me?

I see in every neighborhood, (almost) a schoolhouse, in which my young countrymen acquire the rudiments of education. This makes them sensible and capable of appreciating and understanding truth: Is not this worth a few dimes to me?

War breaks out, I can go on with my business, and repose safely at night. Who is it keeps the enemy at bay, and prevents his overrunning the land? Is not this worth something to me?

My titles, deeds, my lines, and section corners, are all planned, recorded, defended, by whom? Is not this an item of some benefit to me?

Thus we might enumerate the blessings of a kind and parental government, imperfect though it be, as is everything earthly. But let us render Cæsar his due. He has some noble qualities. It is a pleasure to pay one's taxes.

But I am coming to taxes of another country. While I am for the present a temporary dweller in this earth, I claim a citizenship above.

Here is not my permanent home, but while I stay, I cheerfully give due homage to the powers that be. My treasure is above: shall I pay something on this treasure?

What are the benefits of my citizenship above to me? First, I secure the services of the ablest Counselor in the universe, to make my plea in the court of heaven. He can plead; for he knows every extenuating circumstance, and aggravating cause of evil, and he has the wealth of a matchless character to bear him out. His influence is great in that court. Is not this worth an item to me, when we often see counselors in our high courts, obtain thousands for a single plea?

Second, the ministry of angels, who come all the way from glory, to watch over and defend us. We pay a physician large fees for a visit, especially if we send a great distance for some celebrated physician; and as for defense, we are paying millions every week, for defense against southern rebels. Who is it that defends us continually against the myriads of satanic rebels, who hover about all those who side with Michael?

Will you then grudge to pay something to show where your treasure is, and what government has your heart?

But some one may think I am for buying salvation. No! no! I understand too well the plan, for that. No buying salvation; for Jesus' blood, the blood, and life, and death, and pleading, of the Counselor, it is that purchases the redemption of the sinner. But here is the doctrine, if I claim that he has bought me and is pleading for me, I shall of course recognize the fact, by acts of solid worth.

If he died to save me, I must go to work just as earnestly to save others, as he did to save me; else he will not acknowledge me, except as a lukewarm outcast. What I give is not a price, but a pledge, of sincerity.