The Religious Duty of Obedience to Law - A Sermon by Ichabod S. Spencer Preached In The Second Presbyterian - Church In Brooklyn, Nov. 24, 1850 by Ichabod S. Spencer
page 23 of 29 (79%)
page 23 of 29 (79%)
![]() | ![]() |
|
|
I am sorry to see this. _I never read more wicked and abominable
principles!_ They deserve not only the reprehension of every Christian, but the entire indignation of _all civilized mankind_! They advise private arming with bloody weapons--they advise violent resistance and murder--the murder of officers of civil Law engaged in the discharge of the duty which they have sworn to perform! I have no words to express my abhorrence of these wicked and outrageous sentiments, so directly contrary to the whole nature of all civilized society, to the precepts of the Bible, and the whole spirit of Christianity! I speak not of the _men_. Good men may err. But these principles, which these ministers have published as religious ones, are horribly and outrageously wicked! There are other things in this religious paper, which we think are calculated to do immense mischief. This editorial article "would utter its remonstrance against all violent resistance to the execution of the Law." Indeed! Very quiet and peaceful, after having talked about being "fully prepared for defense"--about death "on the wayside, at the threshold and on the gallows"--about "murder," and about "martyrdom." Away with such morality! aiming at one thing and professing another!--"If one sees a fellow man struggling with his captors,... he may lawfully interpose his own person between the parties and separate them." Away with such morality! encouraging people to "act a lie," by opposing Law while professing to obey it! And this species of morality is virtually commended to the jury-box; and its inmates are furnished in advance with a verdict here prepared for their use--"justifiable homicide in self-defense"! Away with such morality! encouraging a juror to violate his oath, by disregarding the Law, which he has just sworn to his country and to his God, shall govern his verdict! and encouraging a fugitive to |
|


