Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1843-01-31


Fear bot evil, then, from The multitude aud cob.
llc,s OF your serts
Many Of them reject the authority Of resson when
applied to themselves but they all use IL TO expose
anl re1te the errors their opponents and nv this
constant appeal - &c a=on anticipate tie ultimate
pstlheaiion of Chnslisn doctrine, and the Incfeas-
ing approximation OF all sccs towards unanimiiy.-
There IL one God and one truth, and M inlerpreta-
tons Of Scripture can be sound, or oi uni.
vrrsal accepian-a and permanent existence, which
contradict reason clash with natural science
Scripture may legtlmaiely 60 oevond what reason
can reach as IN teaching the resurrection Of the
dead, but no sound interpretations of II can evolve
declines that distinctly contradict natural truth.
The process OF improvement appears In me 10 be ey
Ideally begun large portion Of your Plesbyieu-
an Church has dropt some OF the peculiar doctrines
of Caivansm, and even Yale Collcg has modified
tho views of original SIM. These stops, to,~e~-
er small, by which the professors OF Csvanism are
approa ching towards the opinions OF those who a.
dop, Cnlvetsasm and Uniisranism. BE not a
larme d IT Is moi my intention TO express an opin-
ion IN favor of the superiority OF any sect; this
does not become stranger, and one whose ele-
meni is philosophy but as philosophical obser
yer, beg leave TO stale my conviction that the pro-
gress which Christianity IS destined TO make in
your country, is one OF approximation to unity In
belief; that in proportion as the knowledge of men
tai philosophy and physical science is extended IA
mong your people, your sects will drop one doc
time after another, as II Is discovered TO clash with
reason and natural truth, and that they will elicit
purer. and sounder. and more practically useful
doctrines in their place; until truth, commanding
unanimitv, shall stand forth before admiIing
world. This must be the ultimate effect OF free dis
cussion, if man be really rational and moral be-
ing and however distant the prospect, it is dis
cernI6le by the eye OF reason and faith.
20 II such be the probable result to which your
lgious discussions will lead, Phrenologv will servo
as beacon light to serve you on your way. The
siarne noin, OF nnumeribe religious differences
lies IN different views entertained in regard TO the
nature of man. Phrcnoogy will settle this point
| beyond the possibility of controversy. While ev.
cry individual takes his own consciousness and OBJ
| servations the standards by which he measures
| human dispositions and capacities; metaphysics,
| dlNlncs may assign or deny to the human nina
whatever moral and intellectual qualities best suit
! their several religious opinions but when the fac
Mites are studied in connection with organs this
! becomes impossible. Organs are visible and tan
| glble, aud owe their existence to God / he men
tai qualities, therefore, attached TO them all e.
qually the direct gifts Of the Creator and be they
what they may, they ate His workmanship. Hih-
er,o Scripture has generally been interpreted with
| out the Knowledge OF the organs and of their nlu
| cnce on the mental manifestations; and it appears
to me ,hat when this knowledge becomes general,
many popular interpretations will not bear investi-
cation. Again. Phrenology shows that, to i'm
prove the human mind, we must begin by improving
the condition OF the brain; and that to attain sue
cess IN this object all moral, religious and intellect
ua teaching must be conducted IN harmony with
the laws of physiology. While, however, it fore
tells of changes in the interpretations OF Scripture,
and in religious opinions, it affords us guaranty
for the safety, the permanency, and the everexten-
ding power of religion ITSELF sufficient TO assure the
most tmld. 1t brings before eyes, organs special
~ destined H. the manifestations al rotlious senti-
ments. 1t thereby shows That religion itself is
inherent 10 nature, and that it is enduring as
the race. Ii enables us TO compare our mental ma
tore, such God has constituted it, with the pre-
cepts OF Jesus, and shows US the most admirable
harmony between them. II forcibly demonstrates
that great differences exist in the relative strength
Of the faculties in different individuals, and leads us
TO infer that many of our religious differences are
reterable 10 this cause each OF us being impressed
most iorci5ly by those texts of Scripture which
speak most strongly 10 his own predominant iacul
ties. While, therefore; it foreles the dissolution
OF many do2matica opinions, which at present pa
enmiiy and strife between Christian sec,s, 1T pre
sen,s the strongest confirmation OF the great truths
about which all are agreed, and gives, if possible
e an enlarged prominence and importance to the in
c iluence which, when freed from Heterogeneous er
o rors, these desncdto exercise over human civ
= ilisaon.
One great obstacle TO your moial, religious, ant
intellectual progress appears 10 me 10 be the niiu
/ ence which tho history institutions, manners hab
its, and opinions Of Europe still exercising owe
II the minds OF people. Study these in order 4
e mbibe their wisdom and to adopt their refinement
but avoid their which they exhibit, and shu
), them as guides in your religious and political pro
n gfess, Society is in state of transition and oil
?, things are passing away. | have endeavored {,
point out 10 you, that your institutions, and those
81 the governments and churches of Europe, rest Of
II widely different views OF human nature and its ca
81 psbllitles. religious creed founded on the opin
II ion that is "whoy dehled in all the facul,e
T. and parts of soul and body" may he adapted to
monarchy, which, aching IN the spirit OF this dogma
IS denies political power its millions, and support
e religion by statutes, enforcing these, Il necessary
" by bayone,s but II may be very unsuitable To 70
Is whose social arrangements rest on the assumpiIO
N that man by nature religious moral and niel'ee
re tual being. When however, your secis in the eS
to erclse Of freedom, renounce that opinion and
" brace views OF mans nature more in accordsnc
with your social institutions. the chained clergy
Europe may accuse them OF beIelical errors. b.
IS do not allow yourselves 10 lie shaken by their Oh,
d. approval. Ii YOU are right, they are wrong an
is they are not willing decide against themselves
m Every religious community. whose failh has bee
n anchored by The edcis OF poPes, emperors, kings
Ill parliamenIs, will represent your departures o
le iheir standards backslldings and perncious e
T. Tor. and the conflicts OF ,our secis as the harblI
n gers Of The extinction of religion. But fear not
al Before your religion can become capable OF exc
ne oising powerful and i mucn needed niiucnce
re yer the public conduct Of your people, II must
ne brought into harmony with the principles Of yo'
ne social institutions, and as you have lad ASIDE y
ne roPeAn forms of government, II Is 10 be erpecit
u, that you may depart from European standards
OF faith Aller long night Of troubled controversy,