Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Mass.) 1828-1830, 1830-02-23
FOR THE LANCASTER GAZETTE.
OUR OPINIONS-.-NUMBER XIV.

OUR OPINIONS-.-NUMB XIV.
Amidst the bitterness of party that char
acterizes religionists of the day, it is cheer
ing to think there are some who do not han
die the weapons of warfare, and who seem
to feel what true religion is. How much
charity is preached up, and yet how little it
is practised upon. 1t is lost sight of in the
spirit of proselytism. One breaches it to all
mankind, but mathematics his brother of
different opinions. calling them wrong from
a superficial examination of the subject,
when nothing, perhaps, has been more labo-
riously investigated than religious doctrine.
Subjects of deep moment to the moral and
temporal good of the community are fire.
quently suffered to languish and die from
that dreadful misnomer, charity. What is
started by one sect is discountenanced by an
other. What is now called religion is Sec
tarianism. But there are some who seem Of
different race of beings-who are ready
to meet on neutral ground, whether claimed
by Orthodox or Unitarian, and take each 9TH
er by the hand apd call them brother. Such
belong in reality to neither this or that sect,
but deservethe name of Christians. Why
is not this in accordance with Gods word? If
man makes the best use Of the powers his Ma
ker has given hun in studying the scriptures,
ifhe reads them with a prayer and desire that
he may feel, understand, and know what the
truth is, why should he be denounced by one
of different views? Why should one say to
another, 4" stand by, am holier than thou;
am right. you are wrong; you are exclusive,
I charitable"
In connexion with this exclusiveness,
which can to a certain degree be charged
upon all denominations, we are reminded of
another subject, which not unfrequently
arises from tive mean absence from religi-
Gus worship. We frequently see persons
who will sooner stay at home than worship
with those of different religious faith from
their own. That one should wish to attend
the church of his own denomination, is Of
course what reason and the nature of the
case prompt; but to refuse to listen to the
preaching of different sect. if circumstan-
ces render attendance at that of bis own
impossible, argues, we think, want of con-
fidence in his own views, and q want of
charity for those of his neighbour. We be-
lieve true christians, to whatever sect they
may nominally belong, agree in the great
principles that nearest concern mans eter-
nal good. How much soever sects quarrel
abont the Trinity, there are always those who
agree in the vital principles of Christianity,
in those which most affect US as mortal aud
immortal beings. Why, then, should man
shut himself up at home, when be should at
tend worship, not as sectarian, but as an
humble, contrite worshipper? Can he &C.
thus, and deserve the name Of Christian
Can he not, if he is Christian, bow himself
before the Almighty with that humble spirit
that should forget the name of a sect, and
feel that he is indeed in presence Of his Crea-
tor, and yet be in the midst of those whose
religious views are the reverse of his own,
and who. perhaps, are ready to anathemstize
him? An humble soul is not disturbed BY
any denunciations from the pulpit. A man
that cannot do this, deserves not, in our view,
the name of Christian; for they only are
such, who, from all the denominations that
iengender bitterness on the earth, can unveil
themselves in alteration before one and the
same altar, and PROSTATE themselves before
4 that God who looks at the motive, the heart
+ and not the sect or ceremony.
. We never could reconcile this absene,
from divine worship with the charity incul
Gated in Gods word. Should people refns,
0 to worship together from mere difference o
opinion or doctrine, we know not to what i
1 would lead. 1t would give rs msIanchol