American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1826-11-21

IL, suspicion, that lis fieDus are 100 CONSCIOUS "
| its faaces, TO trust it to its own merits.
Because, Experience wI.nesseth, that ecclesiasti
cal establishments, instead Of maintaining the purl.
~ and efficacy Of Religion, have had contrary ope-
ration. During almost fifteen centuries, has the lc-
gal establishment Of Christianity been on trial.
What have been its fruits More or less in all pla-
ces, pride and Incidence in the Clergy; ignorance
and scrvy in the aity in both supets Itlon, bigo-
try and persecution. Inquire oil the teachers OF
Christianity for the ages in which II appeared in lis
greatest ustrc those Of every point 10 the ages
prior TO its incorporation with civil policy, Propose
restoration Of this primitive state in which its
teachers depended the voluntary rewards of their
Aocks; many Of them predict lis downfall. On
which side ought their testimony to have greatest
weight, when for, or when against their INTEREST,"
Because, The establishment in question is rot
necessary for the support Of civil government II
it be urged necessary Tor the support OF civil go
vernment, only as il is means OF supporting rei
gon; and it be not necessary Tor the latter pur-
pose, il cannot be necessary tor the former. II Re-
gon be not within the cognizance Of civil govern
ment, how can lis legal establishment be said to be
necessary to civil government? What influence, in
fact, have ecclesiastical establishments had on civil
society! In some instances they have been seen TO
erect spiritual tyranny on the ruins oil the civil all
thorty in many instances they have been seen up
holding the thrones OF political tyranny; in no in
stance have they been seen The guardians of the Ii
berries of the people. Rulers who wished to sub
vert the public liberty, may have found establish
ed clergy, convenient auxares. A just govern
ment, instituted TO and perpeuate it, needs
them not, Such government will be best support.
ed by protecting every citizen in the enjoyment OF
his Religion with the same equal hand, which pro
tecis his person, and his property; by neither inyud
ing the equal tights Of any sect; nor suleting any
sect TO invade those oil another.
Because, The proposed establishment is depar
ture from that generous policy; which, Offering an
asylum 10 the prosecuted anG oppressed Of every
ton and religion promised lustre 10 our county
aud accession 10 the number of its citizens.--
What me lanc holy mark is he bill, OF sudden de
gcneracy Instead Of holding forth an asylum toI
the prosecuted, 1t is itself signal OF persecution
II deg AIDES from the equal rank oil citizens all those
whose opinions in religion do not bend TO those Of
the Legislative authority. Distant as it may be. n
is present iotm, irom the Inqulson, il differs IRON
II only in degree. The is the first step, The
other the last 10 the career Of Intolerance. The
magnanimous sufferer under this cruel scourge in
foreign regions, must view The bill as beacon on
our coast, warning him to seek some other haven,
where liberty and philanthropy, in their due extent,
nay offer a mole certain repose from his troubles
because, Il will have a like tendency TO Danish
our citizens. The allurements presented by Other
situations every day thinning their nuaiber. IL
epPCtduu llcSH inOlFc 70 ny REVISING
the liberty which they enjoy would be the same
species Of folly, which has dishonoured and dspo
pulaed flourishng kingdoms
Because, Ii Will destroy that moderation and har !
mony which the tol 5earance Of our laws TO inter
NEEDLE with Religion, has produced amongst its
several sects Torrents OF blood have been split in
the old world, by vain attempts Of the secular arm
TO extingulsh religious discoId, by prescribing a.
difference in religious opinions Time has al length
atet tha fFne 10, ,.I.,~ %
marrow and rigorous policy, wherever il has been
lried has been found to assuage the disease The
American theatre has exhibited proofs, that equal
and complete liberty, If il does not wholly eradicate
i sufficiently destroys its malignant influence on
The health and prosperity Of the state. II with the
salutary effects oil This system under our eyes,
we begin 10 contrac The bonds OF religious freedom
we know no name that will too severely reproalh
our folly. At least let warning be taken at Tie first
fruits of the threatened innovation. The very ap
oeaiance Of the bill has transformed that Chtis
IAN iothearance, love and charity" which Of late
mutually prevailed, into animosities and jealousles
which may not soon be appeased What mischlels
nay not be dreaded, should this enemy to the pub
&c quiet be armed with the force o. law.
Because, The policy Of the bill is adverse to the
ILLUSION OF the light Of Christian y. The first
Ssh OF those who enjoy this precious gift, ough,
be- that it may DC impaired to the whole race Of
mankind. Compare Inc number Of those who
rave as yet received il, with the number snll re
naming under the dominion OF false religions aud |
low small is the formers Does the policy of The \
I'll tend TO lessen the disproportion Mo- it at once 9
lscourages those who strangers 10 The light OF
eveiasion from coming into the region Of it; and
oun'enances. by example, the nations who continue
n darkness, in shutting out those who might convey
TO them Instead Of dwelling far as possible
very obstacle to the victorious progress Of truth, /
he bill, with an gnoble and unchrst;ap timidty &,
would clrcumsci be il, with wall Of defence against
he encroschments Of error. +
Because Attempts TO enforce by legal sanctions, .