#234: “Zeal Without Knowledge”? #2

Self-reflection: If I favor Christian Nationalism, could I learn from this observation made circa 100 years ago?

"We recommend this [see previous post - #233] as a model for those ardent Christians who are so intent upon putting down, by human authority, those who presume “to worship God according to the dictates of their own consciences,” in this age of enlightened Christian liberty. Cotton Mather was a man of undoubted piety, zealous for the cause of God, and a fine example of what “zeal toward God, but not according to knowledge,” will produce. An order to “waylaye ye ungodly scamps” of these last days who refuse to observe “ye venerable day of ye sun,” would be refreshing to the senses of those whose souls long for “Christian legislation” against those Mordecais who refuse to bow to their ideas, and to accept as Christianity their own mixture of Platonism and Roman Catholicism. If there is no hope of “making gayne for ye ministers” by selling them in exchange for “rumme and sugar,” they might still be made to add to the interest of religion by putting them up to be “raffled for” in a “church fair,” and thus make “fun for the million,” who are invited, as pleasure seekers, to fill the treasury of the Lord! We have Scripture example for this, too. Samson was used for a similar purpose; but we let each one carry out the comparison to suit his own taste."*

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*Jones, Alonzo T. . The American Sentinel: Volume 1 (p. 315). Adventist Pioneer Library. Kindle Edition.

#233: “Zeal Without Knowledge”? #1

Self-reflection: If I favor Christian Nationalism, could I learn from these observations made over 100 and 300 years ago?

“Those who are laboring to procure an amendment to our National Constitution, in favor of religion, strongly profess their apprehension that infidelity and even Paganism will run riot in our fair land if not restrained by the strong arm of civil law. They are not the first to indulge such fears. Two centuries ago our worthy sires of New England engaged in the same laudable work, and carried it on to considerable success in some instances, as the “heretics and malignants called Quakers,” and also the Baptists, could testify, having experienced some of the “tender mercies” of those who were zealous for the honor of our long-suffering and compassionate Saviour.

“But sometimes their plans miscarried, as in the following case. This letter from a very pious Puritan explains itself. It cannot fail to be of interest at this time, as a bit of history which is so nearly trying to repeat itself, as its second [now third] centennial:—

“September, 1682.

“To ye aged and beloved John Higginson:–
“There be now at sea a shippe (for our friend Esias Holdcraft, of London, did advise me by the last packet that it would sail sometime in August) called ye Welcome, R. Green was, Master, which has aboard a hundred or more of ye heretics and malignants called Quakers, with W. Penn, who is ye scamp at ye head of them. Ye General Court has accordingly given secret orders to Master Malachi Huxett, of ye brig Porpoise, to waylaye ye said Welcome, as near ye coast of Codd as may be, and make captives of ye Penn and his ungodly crew, so that ye Lord may be glorified and not mocked on ye soil of this new country with ye heathen worshipps of these people. Much spoil can be made by selling ye whole lot to Barbadoes; where slaves fetch good prices in rumme and sugar; and we shall not only do ye Lord great service by punishing ye wicked, but shall make gayne for his ministers and people.

“Yours, in ye bowels of Christ, “Cotton Mather.”

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Jones, Alonzo T. . The American Sentinel: Volume 1 (pp. 314-315). Adventist Pioneer Library. Kindle Edition.

Alonzo Trévier Jones (1850 – May 12, 1923) was a Seventh-day Adventist known for his impact on the theology of the church, along with friend and associate Ellet J. Waggoner. He was a key participant in the 1888 Minneapolis General Conference Session regarded as a landmark event in the history of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alonzo_T._Jones