Capital Punishment

Sir,—In your editorial of July 1 you seem to be very uncertain as to the lawful limits of human justice, and the source of its authority. Since God gives life, you say, only he ran recall it. St. Paul in his letter to the Ephesians (iii: 15, 88) says of civil authority: "There is no power but from God . . . therefore he that resisteth the power resisteth the ordnance of God." Or if you prefer the Old. Testament—Wisdom (vi 3:—) says: "Give ear you that rule the people, and that please yourselves in the multudes of nations, for power is given you by the Lord, and strength by the Most High, who will examine your works and search your thoughts."

On the punishment of murderers the Jews received this instruction from God: Numbers (35: 16 s.s.) "If any man strike with iron, and he die that was struck, he shall be guilty of murder, and he himself shall die." The following verses reiterate this.

Since it is clear from these quotations that civil authority comes from God and He has given directions that murder is to be punished by death, it is difficult to see how you can say that capital punishment for murder and similar crimes is unchristian and outside the authority of Society.

Cicero.