Of course, dear friends, I am not qualified to speak fully of the uses of a national census—a statesman only could do this, yet it is self-evident that everything which tends to the amelioration of public evils and the furtherance of the public good, must be subserved by the statistics so gained. Not only distinctive legislation, but also all our schemes for the extension of education and the promotion of the work of Christ’s Church can only find arguments, exactitude, and adaptation from the knowledge to be gained by a national census. I could enter into some details, were it necessary or desirable in this place, to illustrate and prove these points: but I think you will all be prepared to admit at once that it is self-evident, that the plans of our rulers, and the efforts of the philanthropical among us to do good in their day and generation, must be very greatly facilitated by the information the census papers, if faithfully filled up, will afford.
It seems strange that a measure so obviously proper and useful should have had so many difficulties to contend with, and that these difficulties should not have wholly disappeared before the boasted enlightenment of the nineteenth century. Prejudice must have been intensely strong in days gone by; for it would seem to have to bear, deservedly, the chief blame for past neglect in seeking the important information which can alone be obtained through this channel. It was not till 1801, I believe, that the first actual enumeration of the people of England and Scotland took place, although an imperfect attempt to ascertain the number of the population had been made in the previous century. Since 1801 the census taking has become more general in the United Kingdom. England and Scotland were again enumerated in 1811, and since then at the decennial periods of 1821, ’31 ’41 ’51; Ireland has also been included in these latter census takings, and we may hope that as the people become more accustomed to the matter, and more thoughtful as to its uses, all remnants of the antiquated prejudice which hindered it so long, will die out. I would help towards this desirable end by noticing for a passing moment the most prevalent objection urged against the census.
It is not in a few quarters that you hear, and probably in still more quarters the notion is held, that the census is unscriptural, and therefore will bring down upon the nation a curse and not a blessing. Whence does this notion arise? From a mistaken interpretation of Scripture. Do you not remember, says the objector, in a tone which implies that he thinks he is about to demolish your case at once, Do you not remember that David sinned in numbering the people, and that in consequence a pestilence slew thousands of his subjects? Yes, I remember well the Scripture fact. David sinned in numbering the people, but that does not therefore prove that numbering the people is an act in itself wrong. David sinned because he did a right thing from a wrong motive. Shall we say that almsgiving is sinful because some give from ostentation and pride? Surely not. David numbered his people to gratify his pride, to see his way to the carrying out designs of ambitious conquest, concerning which, because he knew he was doing wrong, he took not counsel of God. And if we now number the people in this vain-glorious, God-neglecting, proud, self-reliant spirit, then we too sin. But surely to number them with the view, under God, of furthering the internal welfare of the kingdom and securing the defence of the precious privileges God has given us to guard, is not to act in David’s sinful spirit. Let us pray for ourselves and rulers, my friends, that God may be recognised in this census taking, that thanks may be given to Him for any increase and progress in our nation this census may discover, and that as He has cared for us in the past, we may make all our plans for the future under the direction of His teaching and in dependence upon His blessing.
But in truth, dear friends, this objection from Scripture is fully met and controverted in Scripture itself. God can never be the author of evil, yet you will notice in our text, and you will find the same thing in the 26th chapter of this book of Numbers, that God himself, at the commencement and close of Israel’s journey in the wilderness, commanded the numbering of the people above a certain age. What God has once commanded cannot in itself be wrong, else were God the author of evil. The right thing becomes a wrong thing in us, when we do it in a wrong and sinful spirit.
And now, dear friends, if you are satisfied that the taking the census is not only not contrary to, but sanctioned by Scripture, and that its uses are most important to the welfare of the state, bear with me if I urge upon you your duty with regard to the paper you will deliver into the hand of the appointed enumerator to-morrow. You are bound to fill up that paper carefully and faithfully.
I might urge a selfish motive to induce you to do so; the future welfare of the state,—politically, socially, religiously,—depends in a measure upon the exactitude of the returns—the interest of each is bound up in the interest of all—what furthers the public weal will enhance your private benefit.
I urge again this duty upon the ground of your obligations to your neighbour. To the discharge of this care for his good, religion binds you; and so also your position as a citizen of this country. You have no right to say you will do, and have a right to do, as you please in this matter. You receive great and unspeakable benefits from being a member of an organised and governed society, where might is not right, but all are under the protection of the law; and for these benefits you give up,—are bound to give up, a portion of your individual liberty, else were all government at an end, and submit yourself to such ordinances as those who have public authority given to them in this realm consider to be for the common good.
And further, I urge a yet higher motive. You are bound to see to the filling up of this census paper carefully and faithfully, without any wilful deceit, as a duty to God. “The powers that be are ordained of God; he therefore that resisteth the power resisteth the ordinance of God.” That is a false, dishonest, ungodly axiom which finds place in the world, that men may act, nay are rather to be applauded for acting towards government, in a manner in which they would be ashamed to act towards their fellow men. To rob and deceive government is no less robbery and deception, in the sight of God, than robbery and deception practised towards private persons. Public conscience, methinks, needs this lesson in many a particular—in none more than in the matter of withholding legal dues, and thus defrauding not only the public purse, but also our fellow countrymen, our friends and neighbours.
This duty then is before us. The census paper should be filled up carefully and faithfully, because it is a duty to self, a duty to our neighbours, a duty to our God, so to discharge a work which has Scripture warrant, and on which the material, political, social, religious welfare of our country so much depends. I do not think, dear friends, that I am acting contrary to my ministerial office in thus speaking, for I remember I am the teacher of the religion which says, “Submit yourself to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether it be to the king as supreme, 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;” the religion which says “Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.”
(II.) And now, dear friends, let me invite you to ponder over a few thoughts which arise from the questions of the census.