Political Wisdom from Dr. Noah Webster: Political Evils

Posted on October 21, 2008
Filed Under The State |

In 1834, Noah Webster published a book with this title: Value of the Bible and Excellence of the Christian Religion: For the Use of Families and Schools.

To show the relevance of this book to our time, look at the “advertisement” from the original book (similar to the front flap on a book cover today):

“ADVERTISEMENT. The general object of this little book is to show the excellence of the Christian religion, and, of course, to prove the inestimable value of the book in which this religion is revealed and inculcated. The writer has aimed to present to the reader the evidence of purpose or design in the works of creation; thus proving the wisdom and benevolence of the creator, no less than his unlimited power. So in the moral system, the adaptation of the laws of God to the best interest of men, both in temporal and spiritual things, is clear evidence of his wisdom and benevolence; and both in the physical and moral systems, the adaptation of means to ends affords indisputable proof of intelligence in the author. New Haven, May, 1834.”

In the book, Webster travels through the Bible, asking the reader to study a particular portion of Scripture and offering some commentary and application to life based upon its principles and precepts.

Which brings me to his comments on selected verses from Rom 1 & 13, Titus 3, Proverbs 3 and 1 Peter 2, particularly two paragraphs on political evils. We will look at the first today and the second later.

301. Political evils.—Men, from the beginning of the world, have been devising forms of government best adapted to secure their safety, property, peace, justice and liberty. Numerous forms have been tried: monarchy, aristocracy and democracy. After all their efforts, a perfect government has not yet been found. In the best form hitherto devised, defects have been discovered, which have frustrated the hopes of the founders. And what is the reason? Why, the reason is comprised in a few words: Men have not obeyed God’s precepts. This is the reason, the prominent cause of all political evils. Rulers, when hereditary, are often corrupt men, indulging in all sensual vices, ambition, selfishness, war; in short, they seek their own pleasure and grandeur, rather than the happiness of their subjects. In republics, in which rulers are elected by the people, or some portion of them, the case is sometimes better; but in this form of government men have hitherto been disappointed. Corrupt, selfish men, are often elected, and such men abuse their authority, neglect or violate the laws and occasion great public evils.

Corruption, indulging in sensual vices, ambition, selfishness, seeking their own grandeur, abusing authority…sounds like things haven’t changed much. Webster sums it all up when he says that the prominent cause of all political evil is that men have not obeyed God’s precepts.

Pretty simple, yet pretty profound.

Once we lose the understanding of what God’s precepts are, it doesn’t take long for a citizenry to think they are selecting good men to rule over them, when, in fact, they are only electing men who share their views of how the power of government can be used to satisfy their own selfish desires.

It reinforces Daniel Webster’s statement in 1800:
“To preserve the government we must also preserve morals. Morality rests on religion; if you destroy the foundation, the superstructure must fall. When the public mind becomes vitiated and corrupt, laws are a nullity and constitutions are waste paper.”

Comments

6 Responses to “Political Wisdom from Dr. Noah Webster: Political Evils”

  1. Quatesha Cobbin on October 21st, 2008 1:44 pm

    This is really amazing to know, there are a lot of people who refuse to acknowledge that we need God’s word and influence in our lives. It is because of this rejection that we have “the elite” favoring “the elite” so that they continue to get benefits for themselves. People complaing about how their government does not do enough to protect their rights and help them, when they are the ones who elected their representatives in the first place. When it comes down to it, they are pretty much electing officials who are like them: greedy, selfish and corrupt. It is sad to know that people don’t think that way, they care so much about what they want, that they forget there are consequences to those selfish desires, that or they don’t think about them at all.

  2. momika on October 22nd, 2008 1:53 pm

    Israel wanted a king. Revisit what happened when Saul lost his vision and focus of what God wanted Him to be. And how Israel suffered for their choices.

  3. can i be anonymous on October 22nd, 2008 9:29 pm

    We have seen the result of selfish voting and selfish ‘leadership’ for the past 100 years or more. America has slowly and slowly slipped in its moral standing. I’m not saying we establish a theocracy, we tried that 400 years ago and failed. What I am saying is that, we should not take other peoples money and use it for gain. Just as Del taught in the truth project, we call this stealing. When the government takes from one group of people for the benefit of another. This could be farmers, wall street, corporations, the poor, or any other nations it is immoral. I have a good farmer friend that once told me they were going to vote for a fella mainly because if his particular party gained control of the house, then this fella would be in charge of the committee on agriculture. I call that, “whats in it for me voting.”

    My wife and I qualify for much state and local aid including WIC, health Ins. and educational help. We have a family of 6 and live just above poverty lines but have plenty. We do not accept that aid on moral grounds as I believe that in the grand scheme of things, I would be stealing. We will not apply for the government voucher for a digital TV converter box for the same reasons. Stealing is wrong, no matter what channels it happens through.

    On the other hand, I am not to proud that if we couldn’t make it on our income, we would begin making cuts to our budget and if needed go to our church, family and friends for help. Charity is distinct from welfare.

  4. Stacey on October 29th, 2008 9:51 am

    Bottom line, if we want change in our Government and our country we need to be on our knees praying to Almighty God for his will to be done and guidence and wisdom to choose the right people to be in office. We also need to ask Him for revival for a move of God in our country. We as a country as a whole have desided to do it on our own and not seek God. We need to pray for our country before its too late, the longer we leave God out, our country will suffer.

  5. Tim on November 2nd, 2008 7:38 am

    This is an interesting little book. I did some digging and found it on http://www.archive.org/details/valueofbibleexce00webs. It looks like the section Dr. Tackett refers to begins with paragraph 292 on p. 168. N. Webster does not make his connections to these verses very explicit, and his writing asserts definitions and opinions rather than making arguments. The prose is, nevertheless, a pleasure to read and the way he frames things is very interesting. Paragraph 297 on slavery, for example. I wish American children were taught this perspective on it, that it is an injustice of war — it would make our own history more relevant to what is an ongoing problem in the world today.

  6. Arnold on November 20th, 2008 11:03 pm

    Having just watched most of the American Experiment before my dvd crashed, I am astounded that modern America has traveled so far from its earliest Christian roots. If the founding men of America recognized the inadequacy of the constitution to govern ungodly men, then the coming storm is very black indeed. Why is America so hated? Here is a suggestion. Proverbs 16:7
    When a man’s ways are pleasing to the LORD,He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. The ways of America do not please the Lord. Even ungodly communist governments recognize the effect of immoral entertainment.

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