“‘“Render therefore to Caesar the things which are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.”
“‘Knowing that all knew the right to coin and to tax are attributes of sovereignty; or as Paul puts it: “The powers that be are ordained of God—render therefore to all their dues; tribute to whom tribute is due.”
“‘Towards God and the State, maintain separate relations and render a separated allegiance; and to each obedience, and reverence; and to the latter a conscientious citizenship. These are guiding principles; true in all times, for all governments—and when disregarded cost misery and bloodshed.
“‘Church as well as state has tried to do away with this separated allegiance. The medieval church, assuming the province of temporal sovereign, trampled underfoot the laws and the people and made of itself the most tyrannous and grasping government of history. They taxed the people to starvation for the crusades, to maintain the church fathers in affluence, to build great cathedrals, not for the glory of God; but as palaces to advertise the power of the church. The Pilgrim Fathers, who in their narrowness and bigotry persecuted Baptists and Quakers, were no better citizens than the churchmen of Colonial Virginia who denied to non-conformists the right to worship God as conscience dictated. Possibly they were no better Christians, since neither understood in full measure the commandment: “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”
“‘Are you a follower of Christ and not a supporter of the Union? Impossible! A good Christian must be a [pg 293] good citizen; he must render unto Caesar, unto the Union, his allegiance.
“‘While all Christians are good citizens not all good citizens are Christians. Are you a politician devoted to Caesar? A better citizen than Christian? Then balance conscience with citizenship and render unto God yourself; if for no other reason, because you bear his image; as a coin from his mint.
“‘The parties of today come to the voter with a great question and attempt to make it a quibble, as the Pharisees and Herodians came to Christ * * *’
“At this point the writer became so interested at the argument Calvin Campbell was making in support of the infant Union and as yet untried constitution; asking that we give to the Federal Government an honest, patient opportunity to make good, that he neglected to take notes.
“In any event further space is impossible in this issue. Perhaps some day papers may grow in size from a single sheet giving in the main local news, to great journals offering a medium of education towards better citizenship.”
[pg 294]