The Northern star, and farmers' and mechanics' advocate. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1830-1834, 1834-02-01
RE PORT
OF THE COMMITTEE ON

AsGAA OAOOo " OOAsA O1tM AOJVO 4
The Committee appointed last session
on the subject of religious charters re-
spectfully report
That they have given to the subject
that attention which the importance Of it
seemed to require, and they would pre-
sent to the House the views they have
taken, and the results they have arrived
at concerning it.
+, They have caused an examination 70
be made of the records from 1900, to tho
present time, in order 10 ascertain the
number of religious corporations, and the
extent Of the powers granted to them.
The first thing which struck them, on
examining this list was, that the greater
part Of our religious charters have been
granted within few years past, andit is
only within very shortstime that any So
cieties have been INDUCED with the pow
er Of assessing taxes on pews to support
minister, and compulsory process for
collecting them.
The "act relative to Religious Free
DOM" after declaring in the preamble,
that the forcing a msll :" to support this or
that teacher Of his o,rn religious persua-
sion, is depriving him Of tho comfortable
liberty ofgiving his contributions TO the
particular pastor, whose morals he would
make his pattern, and whose powers he
leels most persuasive to righteousness;
and is Withdrawing from the ministry those
temporary rewards, which, proceeding
from an appreciation oftheir personal con-
duct, are an additional incitement 10 ear
nest and unremitting labors for the in
struction of msnkind''--goes ON to enact
shat no man shall be compelled to fire.
quent or support any religious wofshiP,
place or ministry whatever; nor shall be
enforced, restrained, molested or bSrthen-
ed in his body OF goods, nor shall other
wise suffer on account Of his religious
opinions or belief" =
This act contains the principles upon
which our State was settled and upon
which our predecessors in legisls6ou
have always ucted. Its o,ir great dec
iaration OF religious rights. But we have
bcs,in with incorporating vciisious soeie-
ties, have next empowered, them to tax
for repairs, and have finally granted to .
large number the power OF q compulsory
collection OF taxes upon pews for the sup
port Of minister. Our venerable fore
fathers would have Fepelied even the idea
Of ever granting such extensive powers,
powers which though they may consist
with the letter are yet repugnaat 10 the
spirit Of the act from which we have just
quoted. This act will forever remain q
monument OF the wisdom and prudence of
our ancestors as well as of spirit Of toll
Grafton and charity, far in advance oftheir
age. And the more your Committee
nave considered this subject the more
they are convinced that the only prudent
course is recurrence to first principles,
to retrace our steps as to the past, aud be
moro cautious in future.
Your committee wish in the outset, TO
disciaim al hostility to real religion
They believe that no man feels q more
deep and sincere respect tor it than they
do. Aud while they admire the moral
character which it is calculated to form in
the individuals who are under its influ-
ence, they cannot as Legislators, lose sight
of its immense Importance to the world IN
an Intellectual and political point of
view. And in the opinion of your COM
mttee, the strongest possible evidence OF
the intrinsic power and efficacy Of any
doctrines to produce good, is to be found
in the christian doctrines; and It n thus
that, Notwithstanding those calling them
selves the friends OF christianity have done
more to obscure its brightness, and injure
It's success, by their own bigoted preju-
dices and want Of charity, than all the
hosts of its enemies could ever do by fire,
or sword, or argument, the religion has
still prevailed and has been an instrument
of incalculable benefit to mankind.
The effect of the wisdom Of our fore
fathers was to keep religion as distinct as
possible from law and all temporal affairs /;
to make il what il ought to be, spiritual
concern; and we are far from being con-
yinced that the protection which religion
has of late wears received from the Legs-
lature has been Of any advantage to the
moral character or political security oi
our citizens. The truly religious citizen
and the faithful minister, deserve our un-
qualified respect, but these classes seldom
want our legislative aid. They can get
along without it, and when religion, by
the conduct Of its professors, 10 reduced
to 90 low an ebb as to need the shield Of
the law for ts protection, for that very
reason il ought not to have e. Power
in their hands would be dangerous.
Those who have argued in favor Of
uniting church and state, and establishing
religion by law, have gone on the ground
ofi,s being q matter Of policy, /; tending to
tho preservation Of good order in the com
munisy. But your committee are Of oPinr