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THE THREE HEBREWS ASSERTING THEIR RIGHTS OF CONSCIENCE

"We are not careful to answer thee in this matter.... Be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up." Dan. 3:16-18.

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VOL. XVI

The Christian's Attitude Toward Civil

I'

Government'

T would seem that after nineteen centuries of Christianity we might fairly assume that no further proofs are required to establish its claim upon the world; but since, in these unhappy times, with an obstinacy quite unparalleled, an attempt is made to revive the prejudices and ancient hostility to religion, it only remains for us to take up the weapons of the apologists of the primitive times,- Justinian, Tertullian, and Origen,- who proved to the pagan emperor that the precepts of the gospel were best calculated to make a good citizen, and appealed to the evidence of facts, if throughout the imperial dominions any subjects could be found more amenable to the law than the Christians.

In short, what is the first duty of a citizen? The first duty of a citizen is submission to the laws of the land - the laws which maintain the order and harmony of the state, the laws which guard the rights of the subject, which protect the country against any infringement of its greatness, its glory, and its libertyanything, in fact, which might threaten the life of the state. Well, I would ask, how can it be supposed that the Christian religion could instigate any transgression of this duty!

1 This article is excerpted from a sermon preached in Rome about a third of a century ago by a Catholic priest. It is even more to the point now, when extreme Socialism, Bolshevism, and the doctrines of the I. W. W. are demanding the overthrow not only of government but of Christianity as well.

By Padre Agostino da Montefeltro

Does it not rather secure its performance, as it invests authority with a sacred character, making it appear like a reflected light of the heavenly authority? and because it ennobles the virtue of obedience, representing it, not as an act of servility, but as a voluntary homage paid to Him who is the source of all order and authority? Whoever despises and tramples underfoot this, the first duty of every citizen, has no right to the name of a Christian; because he is acting contrary to the example and precepts of Jesus Christ, contrary to the teaching of the apostles, contrary to all that has ever been enjoined or ever will be enjoined, by the church.

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Look, first of all, at His example. From His cradle upward His life is an example of submission to authority and law. His birth took place at Bethlehem, because of the imperial decree "that all . And the world should be taxed. all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; . . . to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child."

His birth is registered by the civil authority: even He had His state as a citizen. He grew up in the continual observance of the laws of His country, setting a stirring example of loyal obediWe know how, when the officers

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state. This was His example. His precepts are equally clear as to the respect for authority.

Hear His words. One day there came unto Him those who wished to entangle Him in His talk-there were many such at Jerusalem and they asked Him, "Is it lawful to pay tribute to Cæsar, or no?" The question was a very delicate one, also perilous; because, if the Lord Jesus had pronounced in favor of the Roman authority, the Jews would have turned upon Him with indignation. If, on the other hand, He had declared in favor of His fellow citizens, He would have set Himself in opposition to Rome. You see for yourselves the subtlety of the snare malignantly it was contrived.

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Can language be plainer or more dis- stop all Sunday trains, Sunday newstinct?...

Listen to the words of the controversialists, especially those of Bellarmine, upon this subject:

"And it is only when the laws of the state are opposed to the divine laws-it is only then-that we, in obedience to the former teaching of the gospel, must not hesitate to confront our enemies, and call upon them to be our arbiters, as we say with the apostles of old: 'We ought to obey God rather than men.'" Acts 5: 29.

When the authorities command me to act contrary to the law of God, I do not obey. Will the authorities say that I am, on that account, a bad citizen! No; the authorities will, on the contrary, say I have done right.

papers, and Sunday mails, to close post offices, and to secure Sunday as a rest day for every Federal and inter

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Ancient Gate of St. Paul, with Pyramid of Caius Cestius, Rome, Italy

The second duty of a citizen is to love his country. Our country! Is there a heart that does not throb at the word? The sentiment can be traced back to the cradle of nations everywhere throughout the world. That word, in all its majesty, with all its claim to veneration, has been able to call forth the keenest, truest sympathy of mankind. It has inspired the highest, holiest enthusiasm; indeed, the love of our country is one of those immortal affections which, like those of family life, are innate; they can neither be taught, nor instilled into men. Our native country must ever command our love. . . . The Christians were regarded as enemies of the empire, for the sole reason that they would not worship the empire's gods.

state employee." Other Southern Methodist conferences have taken similar action. Such a resolution would be very fitting when made applicable to the members of the Methodist Church, as a matter of church discipline; but when the Methodist Church directs its resolution to Congress and desires to enforce church discipline upon all citizens of the United States, and have a civil penalty attached to the violation of a rigid church ritual, it is very apparent that the Methodist Conference has made a demand that is unwarranted under American principles of government. Congress cannot accede to such a demand without overriding the Constitutional guaranties of civil and religious liberty. Is Congress ready to do this?

The Church Threatens to Impeach the Mayor of Philadelphia

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HE Ministerial Union and the Interchurch Federation of Philadelphia, Pa., at a meeting of more than five hundred members and representatives of various Protestant denominations in the Arch Street Methodist Church, on Oct. 25, 1920, in a resolution they adopted, threatened impeachment proceedings against Mayor Moore, if he persisted in his refusal to enforce the Sunday blue law of Pennsylvania enacted in 1794.

The mayor had permitted athletic games to be played in the public parks of the city on Sunday afternoons, which action the clergymen resented. They had the players arrested, and the Park Commissioners summoned to court to show cause why they should not be enjoined from permitting the games. In these cases the Lord's Day Alliance and the Ministerial Union, which instituted the proceedings, lost out in the decisions

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take a policeman's club and drive people into the churches. I do stand for the things that are clean and decent in the community. My conscience is clear, and I feel that I am doing what is right." Many prominent persons of all professions rallied in support of Mayor Moore, and resented the attacks the clergymen were making on him. A major of the United States Army wrote to the editor of the Philadelphia Bulletin:

J. HAMPTON MOORE Mayor of Philadelphia

the mayor and threatened him with impeachment proceedings before the city council.

The mayor, fearless of their threat, simply replied: "I hope the virtuous will not combine with the vicious in condemnation of the government. The mayor does not feel that it is his duty to

"I have read of the bitter attacks made on our mayor. It seems that the clergy are interested in other affairs than church work, and are trying to stir up noise for publicity's sake. I congratulate the mayor of our city for his courage in upholding the majority of the citizens instead of the minority."

A clergyman of more liberal views than his brethren wrote the following to the editor of the Bulletin:

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"Sir: I am wondering as to why certain church men and religious organizations are trying to make an issue worth the consideration of serious persons out of some entirely harmless sports or games on Sunday. I am a minister of the gospel. I was ordained in the Presbyterian Church, which I served for fourteen years, and then was pastor of a Congregational church for three years. I always tried to present the truth as it is taught in the Bible. I am surprised that there are still men today who would like to see the laws of 1794 enforced. No wonder there are complaints about empty pews at church services.

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