February 3, 1898

“Editorial” American Sentinel 13, 5, p. 65.

ATJ

IT is better to stand alone on the truth, than with a crowd upon mere opinions.AMS February 3, 1898, page 65.1

THE patriot is he who strives not to plunge his country into war, but to preserve its peace.AMS February 3, 1898, page 65.2

HE who invades the rights of but one individual does that which God himself would not dare to do.AMS February 3, 1898, page 65.3

THERE is no surer and quicker way to dishonor Christianity than to try to compel people to observe Sunday, or any other professedly Christian institution.AMS February 3, 1898, page 65.4

IT requires superhuman wisdom to discern what are the real, vital, all-important issues before the people, at the time when there is time to prepare for them.AMS February 3, 1898, page 65.5

TRUTH is about as unpopular in the world to-day as it ever was. It is hard work to get people to recognize truth now when it is liable to cost them something to do it.AMS February 3, 1898, page 65.6

IS there any more effectual way to oppose wickedness than that in which Jesus Christ opposed it? Should not church people, at least, answer this question in the negative?AMS February 3, 1898, page 65.7

“ATTENTION to details” is essential in any business, but nowhere more so than in the business of government. And in government, the details are the individual citizens.AMS February 3, 1898, page 65.8

THERE is a great deal going on in the world to-day—so much that movements the most dangerous to liberty are able to make their way “in the crowd” almost unobserved. Eternal vigilance was never the price of liberty more truly than just now.AMS February 3, 1898, page 65.9

IT is easy enough to see now that Jesus Christ has a great mission to this earth—the greatest that could be imagined. But how many saw this at the very time when Christ was upon the earth?—Only a few, even of his own disciples. So if you do not see that the SENTINEL has any mission, or if the people generally do not see it it may still be true that it has one, and a very important one too.AMS February 3, 1898, page 65.10

“War and Civilization” American Sentinel 13, 5, pp. 65, 66.

ATJ

IT is a very significant fact that in all civilized lands to-day there is the greatest activity in pushing forward preparations for war.AMS February 3, 1898, page 65.1

Whatever other branches of industry are idle, the effects of “hard times” and “over production” are never felt in the great workshops where are forged the nation’s implements of destruction. They are usually running “over time.”AMS February 3, 1898, page 65.2

One might imagine that civilization and war went hand in hand, or that war was an instrument of civilization, instead of being, as in truth it is, its destroyer.AMS February 3, 1898, page 65.3

Is civilization now preparing to commit suicide?AMS February 3, 1898, page 65.4

All Europe is an armed camp; and now the war agitation has involved the heathen countries of the far East, and extends its dark shadow across the water, so that it covers the nations of both hemispheres: and we are compelled to face the prospect of a general war, which will inflict a blow upon civilization that will sweep away at once the fruits of centuries.AMS February 3, 1898, page 65.5

This is the actual situation: and in view of it, how unwise to foster a sort of “patriotism” which glorifies war, and covets the opportunity to demonstrate national prowess amidst death and carnage.AMS February 3, 1898, page 66.1

Let us have a different patriotism taught to our youth and children.AMS February 3, 1898, page 66.2

IT makes a great deal of difference whether you get satisfaction out of those things which tend to ennoble and prolong life, or out of things that tend to debase and destroy it.AMS February 3, 1898, page 66.3

“Christians Are a Sect” American Sentinel 13, 5, p. 66.

ATJ

WHEN the Apostle Paul came to Rome, certain of the Jews came to him and said: “We desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that everywhere it is spoken against.” Acts 28:22.AMS February 3, 1898, page 66.1

No one will question the application of the words “this sect” to the Christians. Now, if Christians were a sect in Paul’s day, at what time did they cease to be a sect? Obviously, they are as much a sect now as they ever were.AMS February 3, 1898, page 66.2

This being so, the term “non-sectarian” cannot apply to anything that is Christian; and the very common use that is made of it to designate some religious movement or undertaking that is backed by several or all the churches together, is without any warrant of fact.AMS February 3, 1898, page 66.3

It is nothing against Christianity that its adherents constitute a sect. But it is something against Christians when they try to get state aid for a religious enterprise, on the ground of its being “non-sectarian.”AMS February 3, 1898, page 66.4

“The Bible Condemns It” American Sentinel 13, 5, p. 66.

ATJ

“WHATSOEVER is not of faith, is sin.” Romans 14:23.AMS February 3, 1898, page 66.1

To observe Sunday by compulsion of law, is not of faith.AMS February 3, 1898, page 66.2

Therefore such Sunday observance is sin.AMS February 3, 1898, page 66.3

And a large part of the professedly Christian people of this country are calling on the legislatures for laws that would compel people to sin.AMS February 3, 1898, page 66.4

“Patriotism” American Sentinel 13, 5, p. 68.

ATJ

WE believe in patriotism; and we believe in the teaching of patriotism in the public schools.AMS February 3, 1898, page 68.1

But we do not believe in the “patriotism” that—in many places—is being taught.AMS February 3, 1898, page 68.2

We do not believe in a kind of “patriotism” that glorifies war. War is against civilization, against national prosperity, against every interest of the individual and of the state.AMS February 3, 1898, page 68.3

We believe in a patriotism that seeks to save life, not to destroy it.AMS February 3, 1898, page 68.4

We believe in a patriotism that maintains—not denies—liberty of conscience.AMS February 3, 1898, page 68.5

We believe in a patriotism that proclaims that “all men are created equal,” and that every individual has “certain unalienable rights.”AMS February 3, 1898, page 68.6

This is the patriotism of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. This is the patriotism of the noble men who laid the foundations of this nation.AMS February 3, 1898, page 68.7

Why cannot the children in the public schools be taught something about individual rights? What could be more profitable than to teach them to prize their own rights, and to respect the rights of others?AMS February 3, 1898, page 68.8

What kind of patriotism is more truly American than that which prompted the writing of the Declaration of Independence?AMS February 3, 1898, page 68.9

To teach the children patriotism it is not necessary that they be taught how to kill people, and to believe that we are the “biggest” nation on earth, and can “lick” any or all of the others.AMS February 3, 1898, page 68.10

It is not necessary to teach them that the only proper place to show patriotism is amidst the smoke of gun-powder and the death and ruin of the battle-field.AMS February 3, 1898, page 68.11

If the American flag is to be held up before the children in the public schools, let them be taught that it stands for something else besides war.AMS February 3, 1898, page 68.12

Let them be taught the principles of individual liberty and independence upon which the government, represented by the flag, was established.AMS February 3, 1898, page 68.13

Teach the children to love peace, not war. Teach them that respect for right, that love of truth, that moral courage and self-reliance which are essential to true manhood. There will then be no danger but that they will grow up to be patriots.AMS February 3, 1898, page 68.14

“Note” American Sentinel 13, 5, p. 69.

ATJ

ONE man has at last appeared who favors the union of church and state in the United States, and who at the same time has the honesty to say so. He at the same time has the ability to discern, and the honesty to say, that the union of religion and the state is the union of church and state.AMS February 3, 1898, page 69.1

This open-minded man is Rev. Dr. Charles M. Lamson, the president of the American Board of Foreign Missions. In the reception and dinner of the Chicago Congregational Club, in Chicago, Monday night, January 17, 1898. Dr. Lamson spoke on “New-Englandism,” in the report of which we find the following:—AMS February 3, 1898, page 69.2

“Another tendency is toward the union of church and state, or, better, of religion and state. Congregationalism is democracy. It is an inherent part of all true republicanism. The church has a great opportunity to assert its love for the land and to become patriotic. The time is coming when we shall place the obligations of citizenship in the forefront of our principles and inculcate the on all sides in the church work.”AMS February 3, 1898, page 69.3

Another point in this to his credit, and to which we call the attention of the Christian Citizen is, that Dr. Lamson recognizes, and openly says, that the union of religion and citizenship is the union of religion and the state, which is the union of church and state.AMS February 3, 1898, page 69.4

That one such man is found, is a distinct gain. If there were about one or two thousand more such, the situation would be greatly relieved. We sincerely wish that every one of those who are so diligently working for the union of church and state in the United States would by some means get the courage to say so. Nothing is ever gained by trying to get one thing under pretense of something else.AMS February 3, 1898, page 69.5

A. T. J.

“Another Scripture Study with the ‘Christian Citizen’” American Sentinel 13, 5, pp. 69, 70.

ATJ

“THERE was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.” Luke 22:24. The disciples were expecting Christ to set up a kingdom in this world and of this world. They expected that in this kingdom they themselves, as a matter of course, would have the chief places, because they were his first chosen disciples. But it was not enough for them that they should have the chief places: the strife among them was as to which one of them should have the chief place. It was not enough that they should all be great and occupy prominent positions: they got up a strife as to which of them should be the greatest and have the most prominent position. Nor yet was the strife exactly as to who should be greatest: but who should be accounted the greatest.AMS February 3, 1898, page 69.1

Everybody can see that this was simply political ambition, and political strife for political position. Their conception regarding Christ’s kingdom was altogether a mistaken one; yet that does not affect the fact that theirs was only political ambition and political strife for political position: and this all because their conception of Christ’s kingdom was political. Everybody can see also that the conception which these men then held of Christ’s kingdom is precisely the conception which the Christian citizenship movement entertains to-day. And the strife in which the disciples were then engaged with respect to their place in the prospective government is precisely that of the Christian citizenship folks to-day respecting their prospective government. These to-day contemplate nothing else than a grand national “strife” by an election campaign to decide “which of them shall be accounted the greatest.” We know that these to-day sustain themselves with the idea that their work is all for the glory of God. But was it not so with those other disciples? Yet it was all wrong: it was sheer political, selfish ambition.AMS February 3, 1898, page 69.2

“And Jesus said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be SO.” Luke 22:25, 26.AMS February 3, 1898, page 69.3

“So” means “like,” “after the same manner,” “in the same way.” What is the basis of this “so” here?—The kings, the rulers, of the Gentiles, of the nations, of those who are not of the people of God—these exercise lordship over them and exercise authority upon them: “but ye shall not be so.” Ye, my disciples, ye, Christians, “shall not” “exercise lordship over them.” Ye shall not exercise lordship over the nations, over those who are not of the people of God: ye “shall not” “exercise authority upon them.” The kings of the Gentiles are so: but ye shall not be so. The kings of the Gentiles do so: but ye shall not do so. Yet everybody knows that this is precisely the thing that the Christian citizenship folks are planning both to be and to do. They do design to be just so, and to do just so. While the word of Christ stands ever before them—“Ye shall not be SO.”AMS February 3, 1898, page 70.1

Do you obey Christ, or do you not? Are you Christians, or are you not? “Why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?”AMS February 3, 1898, page 70.2

It will not do to try to dodge this by pleading that Christ meant that his disciples were not to exercise lordship over, or authority upon, Christians, their own brethren, as the kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over and authority upon the Gentiles, their own people. This is included in what he said, of course; but this is not all that he said in what he said. It cannot be claimed that under this world Christ’s disciples could not exercise lordship over, or authority upon, their own brethren, yet could do so over and upon those who were not of their brethren, those who were altogether strangers to them. For if they could not do so with those who were of their own, and recognized fellowship with them, and held the same principles, how much less could they do so with those who were altogether separated and in no way of them nor of their principles or ways.AMS February 3, 1898, page 70.3

No: this prohibition of Christ’s is universal. Kings of the nations exercise lordship and authority; “but ye shall not be so.” The kings of the nations exercise lordship over them; “but ye shall not be so.” The kings of the nations exercise authority upon them; “but ye shall not be so.”AMS February 3, 1898, page 70.4

We know that the Christian citizenship folks insist that they must take possession of the government—municipal, state, and national for “the good of both government and people.” They insist that those who now run the government are running it to the bad: but “we will run it only for the good; they are agents of evil, we will be agents of good.”AMS February 3, 1898, page 70.5

Oh, yes! that is what those who exercise lordship and authority over others always said. “The people are only the better for being ruled, and we are the ones best fitted to rule; we do it for their good; we are only agents of good to the poor bad people.”AMS February 3, 1898, page 70.6

All this is precisely what Jesus says that these kings all say of themselves: “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.” “Bene”—good. “Factor”—agent. “Benefactors”—agents of good. This is precisely what the Christian citizenship people propose to be in their political aspirations: they propose to be benefactors, agents of good, to the country and the people. They propose by their political ambitions to work the “redemption of cities, states, and the nation.” Thus they too in this day would be called the same kind of political “benefactors.”AMS February 3, 1898, page 70.7

But what says Jesus to them and to all who bear the name of his disciples?—He says, “Ye shall not be so.” Those who exercise authority upon the nations are called benefactors; “but ye shall not be SO.”AMS February 3, 1898, page 70.8

Has not the fallacy of such ambition on the part of professed Christians been sufficiently demonstrated in history? Has not the thing been attempted over and over? And has not every attempt proved a most dismal failure so far as any kind of good is concerned? The thing was always productive of more and greater evils than were those which they proposed to remedy.AMS February 3, 1898, page 70.9

“Ye shall not be so,” says the Lord Jesus Christ. Will our Christian citizens respect his authority, and obey his Word? A. T. J.AMS February 3, 1898, page 70.10