The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1822-08-13
LYNCuBURG, AUGUST IS, 1879.


0fcr he matHer Of La R0ehetoucGH
Religious persecution is the oppression of
that part Of society by the established church
OF state. which diseenis from It's own doe
trincs; as of the first Christians by the Idoa-
tiers Of the Roman Empire Of the IIngonots
Ivy the Catholics oiFrance of the Catholics,
in their turn, by the Protcstants of England,
Germany aud the Low Countries
Religious persecution can never therefore
be known in that state whose lundamental
Laws disc'alm the union OF church and state,
and recognize the principles OF universal toe-
ration Il toriiori, il is unknown in America
Those persons who preach up the persccu-
tons they endure, are ignorant of the meaning
of the term, or wish to light up furious and
slndctiyc spirit, and reflect unjustiy and un-
truly upon the laws of their country
As the eameleon feeds on mir, and the sala-
mander on fire, so the allment OF fanaticsm is
no less unsubstantial Opposition is the food
from which it derives its nourshment and poi
son, and this being withheld, it directly lam
cuisines aud dies.
Fnnaticism is gant, against whom it is in
vain TO combat on fair terms. Opposition is
al onro food for his fury and obslnacy. To
subdue him, he must, like the newly captured
elephant, be permitted to exhaust bis strength
in the uudyturbcd violence of his own exer-
tions--IIc then quickly submits TO reason, and
becomes us contemplate for his passive indif-
ference, rs he was before odious Tor his uune-
cessary aud irrational rage.
As fanatcsm is disgusting for lis brutal vio-
beautiful for its generous ardor the one Is the
offspring OF passion, aud perverted views OF
religion: the other, Of msophisticatcd virtue
aud chaste sentiment the one is selfish IN its
feelings, and seeks to bend by violence all to
its opinions the other, disinterested in its de
sircs, Hnd persuades, by its example and e1-
hor,ations, all 10 their good.-Caiviu, though
great man and great reformer, was an exam
pie OF the first aud Philip Melancthon, tho
rcformer too, of the last
Epictctus, the celebrated Stole philosopher,
who lourishcd in the reign of Nero, the En-
pcror in the Isl century Of the Christian ARA,
and who was ms famed for his picty and simpi-
city Of life as for H. wisdom, in discoursing of
tie attributes Of God, was accustomed to say,
that h. could not reconcile those of mercy
and foreknowledge, in their effects upon men
For, says he, if God be all-merciful, why has
he placed man upon earth, and so constituted
him that misery is his necessary aud inevitable
portion If he did it undesignedly, then he
cannot he omniscient if designedly, then he
cannot be allmerciful. DIR, Smith, of William
and Mary, i'll commenting on the passage, OBJ
served " that the difficulty had been solved by
" the Christian revelation, which taught that
" man was placed in this life only for the pur
= poses OF probation, preparatory to a better
" or a worse state of existence. With all the
" liberties ot free agency, if he cultivated nir-
" tue, the future reward was worthy OF his
" temporary suilcrings, exertions and priva-
" the punishment which was due to his vices
and 10 his folly for his unwise choice
This argument would have been complete, If
man, before his appearance upon this stage,
were in the possession and exercise of wolf
ton, as, in that case, he might make his cleo.
tfon to run the course of terrestrial probation
or to let 1t alone--But he cannot strictly and
| completely be called free agent, who is first
forced into situation OF difficulty, and then
left 10 the selection of this or that means to
extriCate himsef-His choice is too limited to
be free; and is, in reality, the result OF pre-
vious dispositien of his fate by Supreme Pow
err in which feshad neither knowledge or par
tcipation. To'deny omuipotence the guilty
/ OF perfect mercy, is to rob II Of an attribute
essential to the character of the Deity; and to
deny il that of omniscience is no less viola
ton of its psrtectibility, and daring and cr.
minal extension of the freedom Of enquiry