Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1843-09-09

existence
OF the many offspring OF that glorious revolution
which found birth in those s.unhappy times of
confusion, anarchy and civil discord, when every
political or religious fanatic that had formed new
plans OF government, or invented new systems OF
theology, came forth with his novelties to public
view and propagated them with Impunity among
tickle and un:hinking multitude"
But Gideon says that edo not deny that the
church of Eogland il great body of schIsmaics
and that IL Is one Of the thousand secis which
have sprung up within tho christian era. II he
in'ers acknow edgemen OF the truth OF this
quotation by my silence beg leave to inform him
OF his in this, | do deny that /, is a body
OF schIsmatics. That IL sprung up with the chris
liam era is our boas,-and ina, il was established
by the apostles and commenced nth the christian
era Is position which we maintain. AT the Pc
Rod of The Reformation there was church exls-
ting 10 England. and Cranmer was the Archbish-
op thereof That church had existed a II
who acquainted with its history will admit,
from The first planting of christianity IN England
1t had 10 Cranmers time become corrupted and
the Bishop Of Rome had usurPed over II an au>
thority and influence which he did not possess by
right. The reformers determined as they had
undoubted right to do, not TO overthrow the
old church ard establish Protestant sect IN It's
place but merely to reform and correct abuses in
the existing church This they did by asserting
first their own independence Bishops, against
the usurped authority of tho Pope who had no
more authority in England than the Bishop OF
Canterbury had 10 Rome; and by purging it(the
church) of all tho corruptions and unscripturai
superstlions which had gradually crept into IL
through tho dark ages, and once moro placing II
upon the same platform it occupied from the hrst
10 the fourth century Though II seems that even
IN the seventh century,h councils were held IN
England when tho doctrines denounced by tho
Reiormers were unknown, and when tho Pope
had no authority there. So the church of Eng
Ia Il & hIsn nd hat 81 a
more than shake off tho abuses, corruptions
and usurpatons which hne graually been imposed
upon her, until she rose in her strength and ,rav
el'ed back to her pristine purity. 80 that the
church Of Eng land is old as christianity in Eng
land, and if no, large the only church known
for many centuries before the reformation of said
church, md as pure as twas possible for visa
BILE church to be in those days.
Gideon says that Gin The days of the dying
Admiral, Priests fell from their falling shrhes
and they wero robbed of many of their hearers
by The Ministry of those fanatcal men," and that
they were known 20 visit tho meeting houses OF
the Quakers with doleful faces, if they were
seeking their "ost Sheep have explained the
cause by showing that tanaticism was rte IN
those days, so much so that many OF tho learned
were effected with it, (for learned man may be a
fapatic)--and a conclusive proof Of such fanat-
icism let ask why do not IN day see
Priests falling from their shrincs and ''ihose OF
Episcopal profession" and Of every other sect,
turning from their forms and ceremonies and EN-.
bracing q lakerism2 Should such spectacle
presen, itself notr. i, would be sufficient cause for
all sane men 10 ,rcar saoiof.l facos' al nd tho
,ional conclusion would be, that II they had the
innocence OF sheep they were also possessed in
an eminent degree Of their native simplicity, as
well mental endowments.
| will not attempt TO show tho fallacy o!
Gideon'5 comparison of Geogo Fox, with Paul
and SIlas--"the force Of the last two names
md III irb trbt dos "A
the inspired oracle of Quakerism that inminary
Of the "intrard light" Paul and Sas never
made such important discoveries George the
cordwainer, peilher did it enter into their hearts
10 establish a sect Of = iakers-ihat glory was
reserved for the immortal George, in the twenty
third wear OF his age and in the year 1917 Com
parson! Why Fox spiritual nonesuch
lie boosted the highest kind Of inspi atIon--God
and he talking together with infinite familiarity
on every subject. One would think that al!
heaven was bent making his acquaintance
and crowdng uto his company. | would not
hero insinua,e that he was not a Curiosity in so
Der fact even 10 angels" He worked a multi
tude Of miracles and was victorious on all coca
sions of dispute with learned men, and knew
the contents of scripture without reading them
Is there no modern George, who caught his fall
ing mantle that do these things and satisfy
tina, he not fanatic, but that such super
human gifts exclusively monopozed by
those that believe in the onward light" to wit
the s'lamb like few"
| am accused Of vituperating the society Of
Friends The most tina. have said was extract ed
from ecclesiastical history. If truth is vitupera.
ton am guilty of the charge-perhaps the law
maxim applies in this with peculiar force
"tbe greater the truth the greater the libel" !
endeavored out Of tender regard for his feelings
10 mako selections tina, were as little odious as
possible i may be provoked hereafter to be sererc
but cannot think have been particularly as
yet.
Gideon speaks Of his great prototype of old.
Why ''Friend" should borrow the name Of so
great a warrior am at loss TO determine, un-
less the divine spark has lighted up flame of
military enthusiasm within him which could DOT !.
owing 10 q Fundamental principle be gratified
amidst the shock of arms in emhatted fields, and
therefore 10 please that clancy" he assumed
hero's name, and subdues his ruling passion by