The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1831-10-18
From the w.London Observer.

We solicit the particular ate""0" " No'
readers 10 the character Il tendency OF Ianat-
icism, as delinea,ed in the following article
hoping it will convince oil oi the oteau,u'
consequences of blind creduliiy vi the
many miseres which now afilct our couh'
try, none is more n,olerable than sectarlan
intemoerance. Incompsrably worse in its eff
feet than rum. j, resembles the 8oban Upas
which poisons every thing that comes within
its pestiferons atmosphere or like the whlrl-
wind in its fury, it tears up by the roots both
reason and common sense. The moral des-
olatlop il has already produced, may be
every day seen in the predominance OF spir'
itual pride, deceit, and hypocricy, To the des
truc,on of those noble qualities which give
to msn his high and distinctive character
We beseech the people to look to these
things before it its too late, else the monied
aristocracy, the usurers, note shavers, and
bankers, will completely shackle them in
the name Of what they please to call reli
gion. In proof Of it we only ask them TO
look around and mark the men most zcalously
engaged in pushing forward tins new fashion
ed system-they will, in most instances, dis
cover that the leading ones are the most
wealthy g. avarclous persons IN the country.
We repeat-let the people look to these
things before II is too late.
From the Independent Politician.
Fdnaficism. Of all the fanatics. deliver
me from religious fanatic. lie works
upon the passions of the weak, and having
got them TO the proper pitch is sure TO make
them do something they are afterwards a
shamed of.-He sets the ncighhorhood in an
uproar creates disturbance in families sends
mothers from family duties to evening meet
ings, and children supperless to bed. Ii
causes daughters to forget their duty to par
ents, and parents to forget what is due TO the
credit of their offspring. Ii begeis religious
intemperance. which destroys order, and has
overturned empires; it leads to a system of
worship SO nearly allied to blasphemy that it
is with difficulty line can be drawn between
them. II sets neighbor against neighbor.
and opens the foodgates of SANDER, for a full
flow of that stream which destroys character
and makes ell classes miserable. Religious
fanaticism is founded on folly and fed upon
ignorance. Ii shuns the tests of reason and
ventures not among the enlightened. 1t is
a cloak for the most wicked men, and a cover
for the worst Of crimes. 1t carries to the al.
tar of our God, baseness Of thought and &C
tion, it associates with religion, ideas which
would shock even the heather.
Religious intenperance causes those whom
it seizes, to neglest their families, their bust.
ness, and themselves. To industry il is an
enemy and there have been instances where
1t was Zoe to decency. Every citizen who
has regard for the well being of his neigh
borhood, should set his face against those
who are employed in giving it a spread, for
they mean no good. Their visits to families
are frequently iItimed, improperly conduct.
ed, and imperiinently repeated. At best
they can do no good and may be the cause
of much harm.
THE RELIGIOUS FRENZY CASE.
The STAN ford Sentinel Of Monday, brings
us a report Of the trial Of Miller, who killed
his two children short time since. The
prisoners counsel admitted that his client had
done the deed Of blood. but pleaded that it
was com.nnted under the influence of relig-
ious frenzy.-The gentleman gave the fol.
lowing statement of what occurred between
him and the prisoner in prison
Witness called at the Jail for the purpose Of
conversing with Miller: not as counsel, but as
q private citizen-found the window of his
room darkened by a curtain-knocked, the
prisoner enqnired who was there witness
gave him his name, prisoner then removed
the curtain, and at request Of witness, gave
witness his name, the names Of his parents,
also Of his master with whom he served an
apprenticeship at the shoemaking business.
told Of his marrying, of his uniting himself
with the church. and many other incidents of
his life, as also ofthe causes which had trans
pircd to bring him into the condition in which
witness then saw him. His conversation
throughout was very connected, tranquil, and
reasonable, excepting that relating to the
killing of his children. Prisoner stated to
witness ,ha, he united himself with the church
at North Stamford n number ofyears pas, but
that he never experienced true religion until
last March at this period Four Days Meet
ings commenced III our vicinity said he
then became convinced that some Of the
doctrines OF his church could not he substan
tiated from Scripture, stated his own religious
belief on the point with which he differed
from the church. and cited texts Of Scripture
in very rational manner, and applicable to
prove his position. He made his views on the
subject known to his brethren, and from that
time he discovered in them coldness to.
wards him. Not long afterwards, prisoner
said Mr.. Wilcox preached at North Stanford
--[ths was at Four Days Meeting1- -
thought he preached very well, but could not
relish his doctrinc--told his brethren wherein
he differed with the church, which was on the
subject Of christian perfection, in which prs
oner beieved--his difference with them soon
became a matter of public conversation, and
prisoner discovered their coldness towards
him increased. On Sunday, previous To the
fatal 9th, prisoner attended church at North
Stamford, when Mr.. Fuller preached on per
fiction, the docuinal point at issue between
them, and prisoner thought the sermon par
ticu'arly pointed at hun On Monday NOR
ming he told his wife that his Clergyman and
his brethren had become his enemies, and
said he must live closer to God to that end
he commenced fasting, and afterwards took
little or no food. and spen, most of his time in
reading and prayer. On Thursday the 9th
he said person came to his house and took
him by. one hand and bis wife by the other,
that his hands felt soft and different from that