1806? 2014? What’s the Difference?

As a Christian man, there is a fine line that exists between understanding and exercising my right as an American citizen and exercising that right as a member of the body of Christ. I am not a moralist, meaning that I do not live to impose what I believe upon another. Doctrinally, I do not believe that man is inherently good and is capable of cleaning up his own act even if it was legislated, but I have a respect for law, if only to curb evil becoming rampant.  That was one of the primary reasons that God gave Israel the law; to establish and to guide a civilization that could thrive given the restraint of the law and in worship to its Maker. However, God knew from the onset that Israel would ultimately abandon the law and chase the desires of their own hearts.  I need only to examine my own heart and experience to know that was true. In fact, I know people who are morally superior to me and have sinned far less egregiously, but the law wasn’t given for that purpose unless we’re considering God’s justice and final judgment. For the living, it was given to teach us that all have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God. We all are in need of a Savior, and in the meantime, the law and the institution of Government was to enforce civil order so we can live at peace, one with another.

As a citizen of the United States, I am thankful that I have the right to vote, to pray and worship. I can speak freely of my convictions. As for what I think we’re seeing today in the United States and the direction we’re headed? We’ve practically used up any capital we’ve gained, moving from what was once called a Judeo-Christian nation to a ‘whatever’ generation, but this isn’t new. Man hasn’t changed since Adam. What we observe today has been observed for generations. It is just our arrogance and pride that deludes us into thinking we’ve come upon something new…different. To me it is just the regurgitation and re-consumption of the spew of an ancient apple. If it is said that at communion we share in the blood and body of our Lord, the world’s communion is the  partaking of the tree of knowledge of good and evil from which Adam ate.

Yes, everything is  ‘same old, same old.’  I was reminded of that  when I read a speech by Edward Payson (July 4, 1806, Portland, Maine.) For those who actually will read this post, it will be a labor of love (given the writing style), but if properly understood, it will yield a wealth in observation. I will quote two key segments, covering the ‘same old, same old’ of our neglect of history, and secondly, ‘the same old, same old’ of men and government.

Of neglect of history:

“The vessel of our republic, driven by the gales of faction, and hurried still faster by the secret current of luxury and vice, is following the same course, and fast approaching the same rocks, which have proved fatal to so many before us. Already may we hear the roaring of the surge; already do we begin to circle round the vortex which is soon to ingulf (sic) us. Yet we see no danger. In vain does the experience offer us the wisdom of past ages for our direction: in vain does the genius of history spread her chart, and point out the ruin towards which we are advancing: in vain do the ghosts of departed governments, lingering around the rocks on which they perished, warn us of our approaching fate, and eagerly strive to terrify us from our course. It seems to be an immutable law of our nature, that nations, as well as individuals, shall learn wisdom by no experience but their own. That blind, that accursed infatuation, which ever appears to govern mankind when their most important interests are concerned, leads us, in defiance of reason, experience, and common sense, to flatter ourselves, that the same causes which have proved fatal to all other governments, will lose their pernicious tendency when exerted on their own.”

Of men, government and virtue:

“That virtue, both of those who command and those who obey, is absolutely essential to the existence of republics, is a maxim, and a most important one, in political science. Whether we retain a sufficient share of this virtue to promise ourselves a long duration, you, my friends, must decide. But, should the period ever arrive, when luxury and intemperance shall corrupt our towns, while ignorance and vice pervade the country; when the press shall become the common sewer of falsehood and slander; when talents and integrity shall be no recommendation, and open dereliction of all principle no obstacle to preferment; when we shall intrust (sic) our liberties to men with whom we should not dare to trust our property; when the chief seats of honor and responsibility in our government shall be filled by characters of whom the most malicious ingenuity can invent nothing worse than the truth; when we shall see the members of our national councils, in defiance of the laws of God and their country, throwing away their lives in defense of reputation, which, if they ever existed, had long been lost; when the slanderers of Washington and the blasphemers of our God shall be thought useful laborers in our political vineyard; when in fine, we shall see our legislators sacrificing their senses, their reason, their oaths, and their consciences at the alter of party; then we may say, that virtue has departed, and that the end of our liberty draweth nigh.”

Reverend Payson graduated from Harvard College in 1803 and went on to become pastor of a Congregational Church in Rindge, New Hampshire. I don’t know about you, and whether you grasp what is said by Payson as it relates to us today, but I will say this much: I think the period of time that he mentioned has arrived. It was a clear warning, easily predicted for those who have an illumined understanding of the nature of men, but quickly forgotten or neglected by those who remain in the dark.