To the Secretary of the Anti-State Aid Society, etc., etc.

SIR,

In compliance with your request, I laid the Memorial to the Queen before the parties meeting for worship in my house, but as you may perceive without obtaining a single name, although we are all opposed to State aid to, or interference with, the things of God, or the religion of Christ. But with us this is a principle. The Kingdom of Christ is not of this world (John, chapter 18, verse 36: "Jesus answered. My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.").

THIS WORLD being under the control of Satan (Ephesians, chapter 2, verse 2: "Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience."; Colossians, chapter 1, verse 13: "Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son." and 1 John, chapter 5, verse 19: "And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness."), and the Kingdom of this world not having yet become the Kingdom of our God and of his Christ (Revelation, chapter 11, verse 15: "And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever") they are consequently possessed by that old Serpent the Devil, or the Beast, to whom he gave his dragon seat and authority (Revelation, chapter 12, verse 9: "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.", and chapter 13, verses 1-2: "And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority."), he also leading them on by deceit (Revelation, chapter 20, verse 3: "And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.").

Things being, as we perceive, in this position, we cannot recognise any right or authority in the subjects of the "Prince of this world" (Luke, chapter 4, verses 5-6: "And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.", and John chapter 14, verse 30: "Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.") to legislate for, or in any way interfere with, the Kingdom of God. Therefore cannot legitimately request them to do or undo what we believe they have, in righteousness, neither the ability nor authority to execute.

State-interference may affect sectarianism, from old Paganism the last movement, in the hearts of his dupes by the Arch-Deceiver, of latest manifestation; but can neither advance nor retard the Kingdom of God, viz.: "Christianity;" that being implanted by God, and wrought by God to fulness, in which operations he makes even Satan himself, as well as his subordinates, subservient; so that I feel quite easy about the matter and find all I have to do in it is to preach the Gospel and love the Gospel - that being the only weapon put into my hand by the captain of my salvation wherewith to make onslaught on the Devil and his kingdom, may I be found, and without anxiety leave all other matters to Him.

I find you attach the term "Rev." to my name; however, not being one of "the Clergy," but simply a New testament pastor, chosen by my bretheren in Christ to act toward and for them in that capacity, I have no claim or no right to such an appendage to my name. Furthermore, as I esteem all such religious titles to be a mark, if not the mark, of the Beast (via Laws of the Empire); and as I am not in any manner for or a worshipper of the Beast or his image, I must protest against his brand being put upon me. My God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, alone, do I esteem and style "Reverend" in name, in character, and in nature (Psalm 111, verse 9: "He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name."); and the assumption of any such religious titles by the creature I believe to be a direct breach of a positive precept, see Matthew, chapter 23, verses 8-10: "But be ye not called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are bretheren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.", and other corresponding texts. Neither do I find in my New Testament such titles. In vain would I look therein to find the words "The Most Rev. Father in God, James Zebedy, D.D. His Grace the Lord Archbishop of Jerusalem and Lord Primate of ALL Palestine;" "The Rev. Salus Paulus, D.D., Dean of Antioch;" "The Rev. Matthew Levy, A.M.," etc., etc. But I do find therein that the New Testament officials in all cases acted with true courtesy, urbanity, and philanthropy, so as to become all things to all men, so that by all means they might have some; yet I do not find them anxious to figure as GENTLEMEN OF THIS WORLD! No, they eschewed it; nor would they receive any of its distinctive names or titles, as designative of their official standing! No, it was plain Peter, Paul, John, or James, and I would be found walking in their footsteps.

You must pardon my plainness of speech in the above, as these matters with me are subjects of conscience.

I am, Sir, yours,

To serve in the Gospel of Christ,

JOHN JOSEPH MOURITZ

Collingwood, 3rd April 1854

("The Banner" Melbourne, 11 April 1854)