The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1822-11-26
DEADLY SINS.
from Pie .NtH4 Hqren Rfefsler

f'i4' = - at4iAl ~ litiRs't lit, dfln
claimed in public, by a certain class of So
eiely, concerning The orthodox aud iniilli-
BILE opilions al oar ancestors ~ matters of
religion and government. Thu following
extract rom III. ordinances of The Mas
saehusetis," exhibit not only a standard of
the faith and practice OF those times, but
demOmtrat.s the enlarged and liberal views
lieu entertained of the end and object ol
legislation, aud furnishes conclusive proof
ei The impinus improperly and sacr.'ege Of
changing ancient constitutions.
Long hair was the crying sin of that
time, aud the worthy clergy OF those days
were doubtless as Jealous aud sincere in
preaching the religious ohligious of wears
ing short hair, rs The clergy of This day
are IN preaching aud proving the religious
duty and obligation of giving monny 10
Education, Cent and Rag Bag socieIies.--
Whether they were as PrQGiobiy employed,
must be decided by those who knou how
all the money collected Tor such purposes
is expended.
The zeal with which these religious beg.
gars IN their pulpits and magazines de-
nouncc the damnable sin al lsglccilng t0
give To these objects, resembles, III spirit
and IN truth too, the zeal ot these good
men, who called "God 10 witness" against
the abomlnable aud hcaihenish practice III
wearing long hair.
But :" the fashion of this world rasscth
away and the public is often lcit Ia lament
that religion, too, has had its fashion of
faith and practice. II is certainly true that
some ambitious aud aspiring clergynnn do
deeply lament that the fashion of relig ION,
"by law allowed in this colooy," has gone
the way of all the earth aud many a bitter
lisot mourns too, that the fashion for " tln
godIy,' according IN their own mode Of
interpretation "ofthr rule OF Gods word"
To punish by fire and iaggot all those who
are debled with contrary statements, has
gone to the tomb of the tapulels
How ridiculous il is for men, fallible and
lrail men, 10 assume the prerogativc of Jc-
hosah decide with unhesiiating obstnacy
what Is right in the sight Of God, and pro.
nounce his anathema on all who disobey
their mandate.
This business of wearing long or short
hair is obviously matter of no moment,
except 80 far ms it furnishes an opportunity
to reflect how little we can furrser, and
how tolerant aud charitable We should be
IN those who differ from us how we
ought Ia avoid that bigoiry which insists |
on implicit conformity to its own standard. |
This protest was published much about |
the time Of The establishment, by law, of
the Cambridge platform, aud partakcs
largely, IN common with that instrument, |
OF the spirit of III. times. This imposing |
proclamation OF the magistrates, of tlle du- |
hes Of church members, IN relation 10 wear
lnS short BAR, conirastGd with the reycr- |
end big wlgged clergy of the last genera
ton, constitute one Of the SEA crest sallfes
against regulating, by authority, the faith
and opinions of men.
This weshty subject is recommended to |
the watchlul eaIc ri those who claim To be |
exclusively orthodox.
=" Protest againd nearing long hair, by The |
Gorcrnor, &c. II Massachusetts.
" Forasmuch as the wearing Of long hair |
after the manner of the Russians aud bar |
barous Indians has begun to invade New |
England, contrary 10 he rnte Of COTS wDrd, |
which says, Il ~ Il shane ior n man 10 Wear |
long halr, rs, also, the commendable Gus
tom OF all the godly Of all our nation, until |
within these few years:
" We, the magistrates, who have signed |
THIS paper for the shelving our innocency in |
this behalf, do declare aud manifest our dis |
like and dctcstation against the wearing Of
such hing hair rs against a thing uncisiI and |
unmanly; whereby men doe delorme them
selves, and offend sober and modest men,
and doe corrupt good manners. We doe,
therefore, earnestly entreat all the elders Of
this jurisdiction, as often az they shall see
cause 10 manifest against il in their public
administrations, and to take cnre that the
members Of their respective churches be-
not deiiled herewith, that 50 many as
prove obstinate and will not reiorme them
selves, may have God aud man 10 wiacss
against lhem. 7 he third month, 10th day.,
1911.
10. ENDICOTT, Goyernor,
TllOS. DUDLEY, DIP. Co,anor.
Rtchard Biliaghdm, Rfehdd .SotSiontaH,