* Our opening article was written prior to our receiving this copy of Appeal for publication.—Editor.
The Religion and Morals Committee of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, taking into account the recent deplorable deaths of three London policemen in the course of their duties appeal to our Government to restore Capital Punishment to the Statute Book at the earliest available opportunity. This tragic incident, and the “Moors” case earlier in the year, are, in our view, instances we may expect to occur in the atmosphere prevailing through the removal of the death penalty, and demonstrate, we are convinced, the folly and irresponsibility of Parliament in its abolition of Capital Punishment.
The basis for our appeal is our belief that the death penalty for cases of deliberate murder is in accordance with the revealed will of God for the ordered government of society. The Bible, from which many of our laws derive their authority, explicitly states: “Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed” (Genesis ix: 6). In the New Testament we read regarding the civil power: “He is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil” (Rom. xiii: 4). The power of the sword implies, at least to our mind, the right and duty of the civil power to execute the full penalty of the law on the condemned murderer. Accordingly, we view it as Christian, reasonable and just that the life of the deliberate murderer should be forfeit.
While we would welcome the restoration of Capital Punishment for the killing of officers of the law as a step in the right direction, yet our appeal is for the restoration of the death penalty for all offences of deliberate murder as being the only Scriptural basis on which true justice in relation to the offence of murder can be administered. As abolition of the death penalty caused alarm and dismay to all right thinking people, so, we are persuaded, would Government action in restoring it have the support of all who love God’s law and have at heart the true moral and spiritual good of our people. “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people” (Prov. xiv: 34).