The Sword vs. Fanaticism.
By Joseph Clarke
"He beareth not the sword in vain." Rom. xiii, 4. Many have supposed because Christ has said "Return good for evil," that this is a rule to be carried out without qualification, and that all law and order must now be sustained by means mild and bloodless. Let such as suppose that the New Testament has stigmatized the military powers of earthly governments (in the rightful exercise of said power), as murderers, read Rom. xiii, 1-7, especially the 6th verse; "For they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing." How emphatic! See the centurion Cornelius, how devoted and zealous, yet how acceptable to God. Did not God will that Satan should be driven out of heaven? Was there not war in heaven? While we admit that it is peculiarly the calling of ambitious and worldly men to fight upon the battle field, yet we see at times that the best and purest and most humane of our race have been called to jeopardize their lives for their laws and common rights. It is a fact that we live in a world of disorder, and the firm, stable government, existing amid such a state of things, must ascribe its firmness and strength to Him who is the author of all good. Shall the Christian, then, who is so greatly indebted to the government for its sheltering care in the past, shall the Christian forsake his country in her hour of peril? Think of it. Is it murder to hang or shoot a traitor? No! no! When men rebel against just and good laws, death is their just due, and the executioner is clear. Does not the army of Mr. Lincoln stand between us and a military despotism worse than Pharaoh's? Shall we, then, shrink from the requisition of a military draft? Are we Christians, yet have no love to the country that has fostered us? I much like Bro. White's remarks on this point. We would not shame the memory of Washington and other heroes whom God blessed upon the field of battle. When our government enlists itself in a bad cause, and sets itself in opposition to truth and justice, then it will be time to talk of disobedience; but while engaged in a crusade against traitors, let us like good and true men, render strict obedience to the laws. Did not God help the British navy in chastening and destroying the Spanish Armada? Where would have been the liberty of Protestants had that Armada been successful? Were those men murderers who sent the balls thick and fast into the hulls of those monstrous ships, sinking them with their armies on board, armies all sworn to the interests of the Papal See? What chance would there be in our own country for the progress of present truth if that Armada had succeeded in its intentions? So we might say of the revolutionary war, and other just wars. Were Joshua and David murderers? Let us lay aside fanaticism and act like men.
JOSEPH CLARKE.