CAPITAL PUNISHMENT,

Evening Star, Issue 23991, 16 September 1941, Page 8

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT,

TO THE EDITOK. Sir, —We claim to be a Christian nation, having our laws based on the sacred Scriptures. If that is so, what bearing do those Scriptures have on such a subject as capital punishment? Human government finds its root in the authority which God conferred upon Noah and his sons, Genesis ix., 6, as follows —‘ ‘ And God said: At the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life of man. Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God made He man.”

This is clearly God’s committal of the power and responsibility of life and death into the hands of man, and is the true source and basis of civil government. As God’s command, it has never ceased to be clothed with His authority, and the responsibility of obedience rests on man, for that command has never been abrogated. Justice is and must be the foundation of all just earthly government—Jewish or Gentile—otherwise every man would do what he considered right or convenient in his own eyes, irrespective of the rights of others. There is in evidence to-day a false and unsound so-called Christian humanitarianism, which is more concerned for the guilty thau_ the victim —let alone potential victims. It is probably based on the fifth chapter of Matthew. To misapply such to a Government or worldly tribunal would result in the absurdity of a magistrate forgiving and rewarding, every culprit instead of punishing any. In the New Testament we find this written (though a Nero was then on the throne); “ Let every soul he subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power hut of God. The powers that be are ordained of God, etc. Also, “For rulers are not a terror to good works hut to the evil, for they bear not the sword in vain.” We. as Christians must render to Csesar the things that are Caesar’s. That is, simplv, we must set a law-abiding example. We must also render to God the things that are God’s. Where the two conflict the Christian can only suffer, but must not resist lawful authoritv bv force. Both truths are connected in I. Peter, second chapter. We are to submit ourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake and for conscience sake to suffer wrongfully is thankworthy. _ The express command to execute justice on the murderer is one of the primeval laws, others being the sacredness of the marriage bond; one day of rest and worship in seven; man the responsible head in regard to sex; vegetarianism, etc. These laws do not relate to .worship, hut to conduct, and constitute man’s legal right to the earth as the scene of his habitation and rule. By breaking them he is doing his best to disinherit himself, and it is one of the sure signs that man’s day is drawing to a close, and the end of this particular age is near.—l am, etc., H .T.G. September 15.