October 15, 1893
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October 15, 1893
“Religious Boycotts” The Bible Echo 8, 20.
Although in modern times the boycott has been used more frequently in connection with political and business matters, it originated in religious differences. We can mention only a few instances. In the fourth century the Trinitarian controversy arose in Alexandria. Arius, a presbyter of that city, held views contrary to those held by Alexander, the bishop of the city. It is perhaps safe to say that neither party was correct, since the controversy was over the nature of GOD, which cannot be defined by man. But that is a matter that does not affect our subject. Following is a portion of a letter that Alexander wrote to his brother bishops:-BEST October 15, 1893, par. 1
“I beseech you, beloved brethren, to avoid those who have thus dared to act against CHRIST, who have publicly held up the Christian religion to be to ridicule, and have eagerly sought to make a display before judicial tribunals, and who have endeavoured to excite a persecution against us, at a period of the most entire peace, and who have enervated the most unspeakable mystery of the generation of CHRIST. Unite unanimously in opposition to them, as some of our fellow-ministers have already done.”BEST October 15, 1893, par. 2
It may not be amiss to note here that opposition to CHRIST was not the sole, nor by any means the greatest, offence of the Arian party, in the eyes of Alexander. In the same letter in which he urged his fellow-ministers to boycott them, he gave this as the sum of their offence: “They not only set their battle in array against the Divinity of CHRIST, but ungratefully insult us.” The doctrinal views held by the dissenters might have been tolerated; but when by the persistent advocacy of them they insulted the bishops, the bounds of endurance were passed. That is the real secret of all the religious persecution that has ever been practiced. Compare Alexander’s statement with that quoted in our last number from the Advance in which the resolution to open the gate of the World’s Fair on Sunday was called a “defiant action,” not a defiance of GOD, but a “stupid defiance of the decent opinion of mankind.”BEST October 15, 1893, par. 3
In course of time the views held by Arius and his friends were condemned by the Council of Nice, which was convened and supported by the Emperor Constantine, and was therefore able to speak with “authority.” Sozomen says:-BEST October 15, 1893, par. 4
“The Emperor punished Arius with exile, and dispatched edicts to the bishops and people of every country, denouncing him and his adherents as ungodly, and commanding that their books should be destroyed, in order that no remembrance of him or of the doctrine which he had broached might remain, whoever should be found secreting his writings, and who should not burn them immediately on the accusation should undergo the penalty of death, and suffer capital punishment. The emperor wrote letters to every city against Arius those who had received his doctrines.BEST October 15, 1893, par. 5
“He threatened with punishment those who should venture to speak well of the exiled bishops, or to adopt their sentiments.”BEST October 15, 1893, par. 6
It will be seen that when any party can secure the aid of the government in their boycott, it can be made very effectual.BEST October 15, 1893, par. 7
Coming down to later times, we find Charles the Fifth declared a general boycott against Martin Luther. Here is the substance of it:-BEST October 15, 1893, par. 8
“The Almighty having confided to us for the defence of our holy faith more extensive dominion and rule than He hath given to any of our predecessors, we propose to employ all or part to preserve our holy empire from been polluted by any heresy.”BEST October 15, 1893, par. 9
“The Augustine Monk, Martin Luther, regardless of our exhortations, has madly attacked the holy Church, and attempted to destroy it by writings full of blasphemy....BEST October 15, 1893, par. 10
“We have therefore dismissed from our presence this Luther, whom all reasonable men count a madman, or possessed by the devil; and it is our intention that, so soon as the term of his safe-conduct is expired, effectual measures be forthwith taken to put a stop to his fury.BEST October 15, 1893, par. 11
“For this end, and on pain of incurring the penalty of treason, we hereby forbid you to receive the said Luther from the moment the said term is expired, or to harbour, or to give him meat or drink, or by word or act, publicly or in private, to aid or abet him. We further enjoin you to seize, or cause him to be seized, wherever he may be, and to bring him before us without delay, or hold him in durance until you shall be informed how to deal with him, and have received the reward due to your co-operation in this holy work.BEST October 15, 1893, par. 12
“As to his adherents, you are enjoined to seize upon them, putting them down, and confiscating their property.”BEST October 15, 1893, par. 13
The boycott, although under another name, has always been a favourite weapon of the papacy. It first connected it with professed Christianity. It was Augustine who laid down the rule that has ever since been followed. In his treatise on the “Correction of the Donatists,” he said, “It is indeed better (as no one ever could deny) that men should be led to worship GOD by teaching, than that they should be driven to it by fear of punishment or pain; but it does not follow that because the former course produces the better man, therefore these who do not yield to it should be neglected.” And then he proceeds to argue from the Bible for persecution. He says, “Why therefore should not the church use force and compelling her lost sons to return, if the lost sons compelled others to their destruction?” That is to say, that whatever course is followed by wicked men ought to be followed by the church.BEST October 15, 1893, par. 14
That force may rightly be used in matters of religion, is a cardinal doctrine of the Papacy, as is shown in the “Syllabus of Errors,” issued by Pope Pius IX. the 24th section of which declares it to be an error to teach that “the church has not the power of availing herself of force, or any direct or indirect temporal power.”BEST October 15, 1893, par. 15
“Christian Warfare” The Bible Echo 8, 20.
The Christian life is a life of warfare. “We wrestle,” says the apostle Paul, “against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Under the most favourable circumstances the conflict is a severe one, and no one can afford to waste strength in misdirected efforts. Very serious mistakes are often made by people who are eager to do valiant service in the cause of Christ, but do not know the method of successful Christian warfare.BEST October 15, 1893, par. 16
This can only be learned from the Bible. In this, as in everything else, it is important that we follow implicitly the instructions of the Captain of our salvation. From His instructions we learn that our work there is to be a warfare of resistance. “Resist the devil,” is the Divine in junction, “and he will flee from you.” We do not have to seek out the devil and attack him; we are not to try to overthrow him, but to prevent him from overthrowing us.BEST October 15, 1893, par. 17
Neither is it of any use to try to cleanse the earth of the evils which the “prince of this world”-the devil-has planted upon its face. GOD designs that we should live in this world in the midst of evils. In the divine economy even these things have a purpose. JESUS did not pray that the evil should be taken from the world, or that his disciples should be taken from it, but that they should be kept from its power to harm them. GOD aims at the development of individual Christian character. This is the whole present purpose of His gospel, and the object for which our efforts should be put forth in His service. GOD Himself, in his own time, will overthrow Satan and cleanse the earth of its evil, and we can safely leave such matters in his hands.BEST October 15, 1893, par. 18
But our divine Captain has not merely said was “Resist.” There is a right way in which to resist, and there is a wrong way. And the first step in this resistance, as He has instructed us, is a submission. We surrender in order to gain the victory! “Submit yourselves therefore to GOD; resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7. Submission to GOD means the most effectual resistance to Satan.BEST October 15, 1893, par. 19
But further, the apostle Peter tells us to “resist, steadfast in the faith.” The devil overcomes men by deceiving them; and the only safeguard against deception is to know the truth. We know the truth by knowing the word of GOD. John 17:17. Faith is a shield, wherewith, says St. Paul, “ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” Ephesians 6:16.BEST October 15, 1893, par. 20
This great apostle made a successful warfare with Satan, and at its conclusion he said, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7. And he had the full assurance that there was then laid up for him a crown of righteous, which would be given him in the day of his LORD’S appearing. So we are to resist the devil by submitting to GOD, and knowing and keeping His word. Keep the faith, and the faith will keep you.BEST October 15, 1893, par. 21