Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-07-04

OF history as the reformation in Germany com
mencing with The Augusta Triar Martin Luther
has been in the story of modern Europe. Future
generations, in looking back upon the progress of
man In society, viii contemplate wifi wonder
and admiration, the spectacles of this ouug and
rising nation, centuries IN advance o all the other
nations OF the earth, in the rights of conscience,
IN the enjoyment ei religious freedom. Here We
see ever sect worshipping the author OF nature,
according 10 the dictates of conscience. no one
daring to disturb another, and ali uniting society
Ia social and harmonious friendship. What would
be the emotions of furious zealot of the 18th CEN
tufy, who had assisted in Lighting up Smi;hfeld
with the flames OF persecution, who belle. ed that
he was propliiaing his Maker, by roasting his el-
low being IN the ire, because he differed with
h,ip IN opinion in matter Of conscience, could he
be permitted IN visit this world again and witness
the happy condition OF the United States under her
laws of universal federation? To see On a Sabbath
Day, In one OF our large cities, the numerous de-
nominations OF religious secis, repairing to their
dittefen, places oi public worship, and all un,o-
tested pourirg iorth their prayers TO the Almighty
Ruler OF the Universe! and extending TO each
other afterwards the hand of brotherly friendship
Should he contrast this scene " th those he na
witnessed in his day, during the throes and con-
v"lsions OF the ancient world, and he agonsing
spasm OF Infatuated seeking, through blood
and slaughter, his long lost liberty, in wha, Lam
gusse could he do justice 10 the author of these
blessings we enjoy, were he permitted TO feel and
thiuk like rational being.
do no know any SUBJECT that is so curious and
so inte' esIing to the human mind as the history
OF man IN different ages OF the world, AZ connected
with his religious opinions: In other words, the
ms ory OF the christian religion from its birth 10
the present period. How strange and unaccounta-
bic, that s. stem OF moral conduct which incu-
CAFES peace, charity, and good will to all man
kind, whose author Yves example of meekness
humility and benevolence, should have been made
the preteXt OF the most horrible enormit:es that
have ever been practised in the world. There
Is no human depsavity which can equal revenge
and cruelty, when covered with the mantle of re-
igon" '' Human nature appears, not on IN
occasion so dstes able, and, at the same lime, so
absurd, as IN religious prosecutions, oh lch sink
men below Internal spirits, n wirkcdness md be-
low the beasts in folly" Tnese are the senti-
melt~ OF an elegan, writer aud wise philosopher
w hat, Tor Instance, strike tue mind with more
horror than the picture oil Calico sufferings and
;ormentd tor bis sublime discoY cries IN astronomy
~ The brightest age oil literature in modern ItslyS
ths great and Immortal philosopher by his I'M
provement OF The telescope, confirmed The sys-
! lem oil CoPeIncus and unveiled 10 man he mys,e
res oil the heavenly world. He discovered noun
talns IN the Noon planet attendant upon the
Earth the satellites OF Jtpter-Spots In the
Sun The phases of Ve.us AID The rotation of the
Sun upon lis own axis. For ,hese impo tant dis =
coveries, wh'ch h givea such delight to all the
friends oi science tor thus 60 holding up the lamp
o! knowledge 10 benigh,ed world lie was sum
moned before The inquisi,ion, commanded 10 re-
nounce ns horrible hereSes, and thrown INTO pri-
son, where ne suffered long and loathsorne con-
hnement; And, Ia relation 10 him, the follow ing
decree was promulgated TO the disgrace OF the ave
IN which he lived. Is To say shat the Sun is IN
'he centre and without local motion, is PROPOSE
tIon ABSURD and false IN sound Philosophy, and
even hereural, being expressly contrary 10 the holy
scripture; and 10 say that the Earth IS NOT placed
IL tie centre OF the Universe nor I,nmoyeable
bat that 1t has 81 much diurnsl motion is also
p opositIon false and absurd Ia sound PHILOSOPHY
,as well erroneous In the faith" The Absurd,, '
The folly and stupidity o. superstition anJ fanati-
cisiil, Is no where more s,rkmgy illustrated than
IN this SINGLE fact. Had the genius OF Raphael
would elect his incident ia history for The EN-
ploymeni OF my pencil. 1 would painl Calico in
prison suffering the torrents OF the Inqusiton for
AIS sublime discoveries in astronomy, and Jefferson
should apPesr upon the holding before the
VIC III iiis redeeinIns act OF religious freed IN 1t
would be more affecting 10 my mind than the pic
lure OF tie eXied AlaEIus seated upon the ruins OF
Carthage, assocIatIng his own adverse fortune with
the decay OF that celebrated city, aud Illuminating
on the downfall OF empires and the feeting glory
OF man. la the history of the aged warrior, we
MS celebrated reply 10 the officer, who asked him
what he should say 10 tine Governor who had di-
recied hlm IA his ioT!cTn condition TO leave the
coast oIAtrlca. . Go, tell him you have seen the
cXiled nlarus sitting upon the ruins OF Carthage -
nus reminding him by this happy association of
| me uncertainty o! bis own power. But what SYM
pa,bies can We feel for ruthless tyrant who mad
delag ed his country in blood? Although he had
fallen from the height OF power, and was wretch
ed waHdeter IN a fCreigu land we can feel notbino
! ike COMPASSION for him, however much we may
admire the genius OF The painter in the picture he
has drawn of hui. But III rejecting upon the TAT G
| oil Calico, all the finest feelings oil the human
heart excited, and all our Indignation reused
against the supersti,ious ignorance and tyranny by
which he was prosecuted.
| When we see the spirit of religious intolerance
producing such iniquiiies, how grateful should we
feel to the liberal and enlightened .en oil America,
who have reed u from is Influence?
Luther, Calvin, CTanmer, aud Knox the great
protestant reiormers in :her respective counties,
were themselves prosecutors when they had mower
IN their hands,
Lutbero reformation freed the world from the
denominations OF The RomIsh Church, and ov Turn
ed Papal supremacy, which had kept the world in
darkness during many ages. - But still the
right TO ertupate error By force was universally
allowed, the privilege Of those who possessed
The knowledge of truth" This horrible and pre-
posterous absurdity Of the human mind was sban-
doned about the close of the 18th century, when
The light OF philosophy had dispelled, in 8 me de
gree, The m'ls OF prejudice, and federation was
admitted in its present form first in the United
Provinces and afterwards In England But stl
the unioa OIL church and state existed and the be-
hel In the necessity of an established religion BY
which every man in the Community is compelled
10 contribute to he support Of dominant sect, no