Communications: For The Signal Of Liberty: The Church And Sl...

Attenuing the scssion of the Baptist Association held in Ann Arbor, I there listened to some remarks that to me seetned to involve the following query. Does or doss not the passage of res olutions before religious bniies on the subject of slnvery, make them of a political character, or in any way tend to a unión with the State? This is a question calculated to come home to the heart ofevery Christian. of every patriot, and pecnliarly so ofevery Baptist. It involves interests dear to him as a member of Christ's kingdom, which kingdom is not of this world. and as a subject ot agovernrnent that, on the one hand, is not to attempt a propping of the kingdom of Christ, and on the other, is not to throw any obstruciions in the way of ils advancement, not to be governed by or lilended with said kingdom. On this ques tion, honesl hcarts may difíer, and (riends may take sides. Yet may not calm discussion iaj all at rest, and recncile every unprejudiccd mind? The writer of this thinks it may, snd nlihougliunacfíustomed to wrfting for che press, has ventured to tnkc his pen in hand to scribble a few thoughts, and at least to agitato the subject for ftbler pens to fullow out the thought. To me the question involves a few simple thoughts. as 1. The Church and the State are n no way to be blended in their opératipn. This is the sentiment equally of the politician and of the ChrLtian. And by all it is regarded as having been a source of many evils in former days, and as yct doing injury whcre it may exist. Heneo it is to bc mutually avoidcd.■ - - . '. Mémbers oïCImrches have duties (lc-v„lr ing on tlicm of a moral, relígious, and oí a civil character, and these are to be attended to as indi viduals. a3 citizens, as members of churches, as subjects of government. 1;tiis position I think wil! 1e readily conceJod by all. Then, In pointing out and urging iheee duties. do rehgious bodies in any measure bccome poli'ical? To me it seems they do not. For, 1. They forrn no link ofoperation nr association w)th any political body. In boih State and national leglslation, the two houses have their system of co-operation. In this no such thing exists. 2. They neither counsel with any political body, nor do they dJctate to any, nor are tbey'in any way dictated by any poliiical body They only ure individuáis to do their respective duties Then 3. Let lis consider what is scripture example on this subject. Do inspircd wiitersurge members of churches to do all duties as individuals, members of families, as citizens, subjects o f government, and members of the Church of Christ? They do. So did Christ. Did they malee the theme of the Gospel political in 30 dong? As one. I think not. Then may we not follow their example, and yet not becomecal? To me it boks clear that we nny. Not only so, butby their example, we maybe encouraged to do the samé. Then as the church is the light of the world, let her speak, but not take thc civil arm. Let her members visit the ballot box. not as heated partizans, but as accountable subjects of a government whose moral charaetcr they help to control. And if they who aro the light of the world refuse to lend their rays here. whence, in a moral point of view, is our government to be enlightened? If they who are the salt of the earth with hold íheir 'savory influcnce here, whence is our government to be preserved from corruption? Have not the children of God long cntertained wrong views here, and standing aloof frorn union with government, have they not neglected duty? If so, let us then mind and find the proper medium ofaction.