Literary cadet, and Saturday evening bulletin. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1826-1827, 1826-12-02

rc;cio,,s opn,ons or beief but that all men shall be
free TO profess, and by argument TO MAINTAIN, their ops
ions matters OF religion, and that the same shall IN no
diminish, enlarge affect their civil capacities
La1s of Rhode Island.
FOREIGN MISSIONARIES.
There can be nothing farther from us, than an
Intention to interfere with matters of Religion and
whilst we live, trust that we shall not war with
any man, relative to his creed, quarrel with him.
because he does not entertain sentiments and opin-
ions, concident with ours, relative to the subject OF
mans final state, in those unknown and upaihotned
worlds. towards the border of which We are all fast
fastening We worship the Almighty m that way,
which reason and our best judgment have pointed
out TO us and five are in error, is the mis-
fortune and all the calaulites which may grow out
OF our errors, will fall upon our own heads-and
We shah alone be the sufferers. la matters of reli
gio.s concernnent, as in politics, we deem 1t the
undenable privilege Of every citizen, to form and
express his opinions; TO adopt his own meas
ure.-to advocate the principles most congenial
with the best feelings of hs heart-and If he differs
with US, we will neither denounce him as a repro
bate enleavorto asssssinae his reputation, nor strive
10 cut him of from he iavors or smiles OF society.
We have INDUCED in these introductory re-
marks because we are anxious to have it clearly
and distinctly understood, that we are no. the ad-
vocates Of any particular creed-that we oppose no
man In his religious worship--and because, whilst
we offer few remarks the subject OF Foreign
Missions we would have our realers and pa
Ia md nj that WI Ia mot them IN
the ground that they are calculated to further the
kin sdom of separate sectariesor because they are
not conducted under the immediate auspices of
those, who may, if they think proper, worship the
living and true God, in accordance with the dictates
Of bis righteous edicts.
There are, in this country, thousand Societies
existing, whose osten.ible objects are, to create
fund, for the propagation OF the Gospel among the
remote and perhaps unenligh,enea regions OF the
world. That their objects are laudable, we do not
deny that they generally conducted by reli-
gous zealo.s. who sincerely strive to advance the
happiness of fallen mau, and TO prepare him for the
abodes OF the happy, we sincerely believe: but
that these associations have been productive OF
any good, We do not believe; but that they eugen-
der thousand evils. and have tendency to pro-
mote any thiqg else than the happiness of man, his
tory, and every days observation, have afforded us
ample and uudenable proof-prooi, which, at a
more convenient ssason, will be spread before our
readers But as it is our present purpose to urge
some objections against these associations, we will,
with all possible brevity state them-all Of which
will be submitted to the candid aud rejecting rea-
der.
In the first place, then, they tend to draw from
the country no iuconsiierablc proportion of our
spare means, which, of right, ought to be employed
IN allesiatns the Gstresses of our own unlortu-
nate population to waste IN a futile attemptto bring
the Pagan over to belief in the Christian religion.
II. indeed, success attend the attempt, it is by no
certain that the condition Of the Pagan IS al
tered Tor the better, whilst sojourner this side
OF the grave; and what effect conversion to the
Christian religion may have on his fate hereafter,
man cannot tell--he cannot fathom the inscrutable
designs of just and righteous God and it is in vain
for him to set up his particular creed and dosmas,
as the only rule of right and as the only avenue
which leads to eternal happiness
The marches of modern Missionaries, can be COM
pared with hing but the Crusades* they have
in view the same objects which actuated the ancient
Grusaders--,he establishment Of particular tenets,
the extension Of power, The propagation and en-
forcement of seclarian principles, and the consum-
nation of king lom, generated i'd zeal, and found
ed on heated bigotr y.