FOR my part, I insist that man has not only the capacity, but the right
to govern himself. All political authority is vested in the people
themselves, They have the right to select their officers and agents,
and these officers and agents are responsible to the people. Political
authority does not come from the clouds. Man should not be governed by
the aristocracy of the air. The Bible is not a Republican or Democratic
book. Exactly the opposite doctrine is taught. From that volume we learn
that the people have no power whatever; that all power and political
authority comes from on high, and that all the kings, all the potentates
and powers, have been ordained of God; that all the ignorant and cruel
kings have been placed upon the world's thrones by the direct act of
Deity. The Scriptures teach us that the common people have but one
duty--the duty of obedience. Let me read to you some of the political
ideas in the great "Magna Charta" of human liberty.
1. "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no
power but of God; the powers that be are ordained of God.
2. "Whosoever, therefore, resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance
of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation."
According to this, George III. was ordained of God. He was King of Great
Britian by divine right, and by divine right was the lawful King of the
American Colonies. The leaders in the Revolutionary struggle resisted
the power, and according to these passages, resisted the ordinances of
God; and for that resistance they are promised the eternal recompense of
damnation.
3. "For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt
thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou
shalt have praise of the same....
5. "Wherefore, ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also
for conscience sake.
6. "For, for this cause pay ye tribute also; for they are God's
ministers, attending continually upon this very thing."--_Romans, xiii._
13. "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake;
whether it be to the king as supreme.
14. "Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the
punishment of evil-doers, and for the praise of them that do well.