The Northern star, and farmers' and mechanics' advocate. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1830-1834, 1830-03-20

tlcment Of this country, tho spirit OF
persecution which drove the pill
grims from their native home, was
brought With them to their new habi
tations /; and that some Christians
were scourged, and others put to
death, for no other crime than dis
senting from the dogmas Of their
rulers.
With these facts before us. it must
be subject Of deep regret, that
question would be brought before Con
gress. which involves the dearest priv
ieses Of the Constitution, and even by
those who enjoy its choicest blessings.
We should all recollect that Cataline,
a prolcssed patriot, was traitor to
America aad Judas, professed dis
ciple, was traitor to his Divine Mas
ter.
With the exception of the United
States, The whole human race. consist
ing it is supposed Of eight hundred
millions of rational human beings, is
in religious bondage; and in review
ing the scenes Of persecution which
history every where presents, unless
the committee could believe tina. the
cries of the burning victim, and the
flames by which he Is consumed, bear
to heaven grateful incense, the con
clusion is inevitable, that the line Can
not be too strongly drawn between
Church and State. Ii a solemn act OF
Legislation shall, IN one point, define
the law OF God, or point out to the cit
lzens one religious duty, it may with
equal prcpriety define eDery part oil
divine revelation, and enforce srery
religious obligation, even to the forms
land ceremonies of worship, the enaow
mcnt of the church, and the support Of
the clergy.
/ Il was with kiss that Judas betray
ed his Divine Master, and we should
all be admapishsd, no paItsg Taat tSSH1 ST..
sciencs cannot be so successfully as
sailed as under the pretext Of the holl
ness. The Christian religion made ITS
way into the wo.l Id in opposition to all
human Cover nments. Banishment,tor
i lures. and death were inflicted in vain
TO stop its progress. But many ct Its
I professors, ne soon as clothed with po-
iticaI power, lost the meek spirit
which their creed inculcated, and be-
Gan 10 iufl,ct on other religions, and
: on dissenting sects Of their own rel'g-
ion, prosecutions more aggravated th"n
those which their own apostles had en-
dured. The ten prosecutions OF Pagan
Emperors were exceeded in atrocity
,by the massacres and murders perpe-
!, trated by Christian hands and IN
vain shall we examine the records OF
imperial tyranny for an engine Of cruel
~ equal to the Holy Mquisitiou. Ev-
, CIV religious sect. however meek IN It's
G origin, commenced the work OF perse
E cution as soon as it acquired political
S mower. The trainers Of the constitu
t ton recognized the eternal principles
8 that mans relation with his God lsa-
/, boyc humar lie sislation. and his rights
. of conscience unalienable. Reasoning
:, was not necessary to establish inns
- truth:we are conscious OF it in our own
:, bosoms. Its this consciousness which
" in definance of human laws, has sus
. tn;ned 50 many martyr. in tortures and
y in flames. They felt that their dut,
'' TO God was superior to human enact
"a meuts, and that man could exercise NJ
u authority over their consclences 1t
in an iaborn principle which nothing Cal
'p eradicate.
es The bigot, in the pride Of his autho
in ity, may lose sight OF it-but strip hi'
in Of his power prescribe faith to h''
{, which lis conscience rejects threat
of en- him in turn with the dungeon an
n. the rsgsot and the spirit which Go
al has implanted in him, rises up IN re
nm belhon aud deiies you. Did the prir
~, tive Christians ask that Goycrnme
y. .,r should recognize aud observe their +
:" Iigious Institutions q? All they ask
u" "e was liberation all they complained
a" was persecution. What die the Pre-
ng es,ants Of Germany. OF the llogen'
du Of France. ask of their Catholic sup
ty. r,ors9 federation. What do the p'
vio secuted Catholics Of Iceland ask OF tn
bis oppressors ? liberation.
'ne Do not all men in this country en-.
IL every religious right which martyrs
Lay saints ever a.ksdf Whence, Ih
con the vaice Of complaint =? Who is
AN. that. in the tull enjoyment oil ev
use nr;nciole which human laws can