[American Flag once draped over President Lincoln's casket. Taken at DC Smithsonian June 2009]
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 kingdom of God!" Luke 9:60. Happy is that servant,
whom his Master finds so doing, when He returns!
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
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