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True patriotism! Dear friend, Allow me to say, that it excites both my wonder and
concern, that a Christian minister such as yourself,
should think it worth his while to attempt political reforms. When I look
around upon the present state of the nation, such an attempt appears to me, to
be no less vain and foolish, than it would be to paint the cabin—while the
ship is sinking! Or to decorate the parlor—while the house is on fire! When our Lord Jesus was upon earth, He refused to get
involved in disputes or politics, "Friend, who appointed Me a judge or
arbitrator over you?" Luke 12:14. "My kingdom is not of this world!
If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight!" John 18:36.
God's children belong to a kingdom which is not of this world; they are
strangers and pilgrims upon earth, and a part of their Scriptural character
is, that they are the "quiet in the land." Psalm 35:19. Satan has many contrivances to amuse people, and to divert
their thoughts from their real danger! My dear sir, my prayer to God for you is—that He may
induce you to employ the talents He has given you, in pointing out sin as the
great cause and source of every existing evil; and to engage those who love
and fear Him, (instead of wasting time in political speculations, for which
very few of them are competent,) to sigh and cry for our abounding
abominations, and to stand in the breach, by prayer, that God's wrath may yet
be averted, and our national mercies prolonged! This, I think, is true
patriotism—the best way in which people in private life may serve their
country. I consider the ungodly as saws and hammers in the hand of
the Lord. So far as they are His instruments, they will succeed—but not an
inch further! Their wrath shall praise Him, and be subservient to His
designs! If our lot is so cast that we can exercise our ministry
free from stripes, fines, imprisonments, and death—it is more than the gospel
has promised to us! If Christians were quiet when under the cruel governments
of Nero and other wicked persecutors, when they were hunted down like wild
beasts—then we ought to be not only quiet but very thankful now! It was then
accounted an honor to suffer for Christ and the 'offence of the cross'! Those are to be greatly pitied, who boast of their
'liberty'—and yet they do not consider that they are in the most deplorable
bondage as the slaves of sin and Satan, under the curse of God's law and His
eternal wrath! Oh! for a voice to reach their
hearts, that they may know their true and dreadful state—and seek deliverance
from their horrific thraldom! May you and I labor
to direct them to the one thing, which is absolutely needful, and abundantly sufficient. If I had the wisdom or influence to soothe the angry
passions of mankind—I would gladly employ them! But I am a stranger and a
pilgrim here in this world. My charter, my rights and my treasures, are all
in heaven—and there my heart ought to be. In a very short time, I may be
removed (and perhaps suddenly) into the unseen and eternal world—where all
that now causes so much bustle upon earth—will be of no more importance to
me—than the events which took place among the antediluvians! In the hour, when death shall open the door into
eternity—many things which now assume an 'air of importance', will be found
as light and unsubstantial as a child's dream! How crucial then, is it for me—to be found watching, with
my lamp burning, diligently engaged in my proper calling! For the Lord has
not called me to set governments right—but to preach the gospel, to proclaim
the glory of His name, and to endeavor to win souls! "Let the dead bury
their own dead—but you go and proclaim the As you have forced me to respond—both duty and love have
obliged me to be faithful and free in giving you my thoughts. I recommend you to the care and blessing of the great
Shepherd and Savior; and remain for His sake, your affectionate friend and
brother, John Newton |