Columbus Whig. (Columbus, Miss.) 1843-18??, 1844-03-07

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dOubtat many Of the abuses which l.
saw around him IL .lb Chorch.and q
which history pres2ryks the record wa.
led 70 Abolish all shurch, and rsli
[gious organizations. We hold this 10
De a radical error. 10 wish 10 abolish
religion, because in The hands OF The
selfish; the fanatical and of iguoran,
sectarians it has been often abused and
applied 70 evil purposes, is indeed a
great mistake.
ourler recognizes the religious sem
tIment as the fundamental, or as he
calls 1t, the pivotal sentiment in the
human soul around which all minor
sentiments and faculties are grouped
IN subordination. The Religious SEN
tlment elevates and universities the
minor sentiments, and leads nearer to
Unity with God; and the minor senti-
ments, when rightly developed, prevent
IN turn the Religious sentiment from
falling into cold austerity, fanaticism
and blgotry. Religious worship and the
Church are the external forms of the
Religious sentiment. they correspond
10 it and perform the high function of
enllghtening and exalting it. Thus
in the Combined Order, THE name
which Fourier gives to the system of
Society which he proposes,) the
Church becomes the FIRST ofInstitutions,
and the highest source of spiritual ele-
walton.
Not only are Religion and Religious
worship sacredly respected in Fou-
rler's System, but Christianity is held
to be the true and eternal Religion of
Humanity on earth-destined to pro-
gress in divine and beautiful deveIope-
ment as the human Race progresses in
enlightenment and social elevation;and
Fourier's mission was to discover the
principles of true social organiza-
ton, in which that progress can be &C
complished. Those who attribute to
him shallow, negative and one sided
doctrines of infdeiity- know but little of
his great and universal genius. But
let me explain Fourier's views on this
subject in his own words. | will, 10
do so, give you the conclusion of one
of his last chapters, written a few
months only before his death. Many
persons who raised their eyes with hor-
ror at your statement Of Fourier's Gin
fidelity" disgusting immortality" Sc.
will now be ready perhaps to brand
him withsthe epithet Of s'fanatic,'' and
TO denounce him in turn for this.
In spsstiiug uf the state of things
which will follow when true Social
Order, or Social Unity is established
upon the earth, he says:
Even Atheists will be found wor-
Shipping at the altar. The Nations, FL
led with riches and delightful truth. land
finding happiness resulting from the
truth alone in practice, will exclaim
with holy joy enthusiastic, "These are
the days of mercy promised in the word
of the Redeemer." (Matt. y. g.
"Blessed are they which do hunger
and thirst after righteousness, for they
shall be filed" 1t is verify in social
harmony, in associative unity, that
God will manifest to us the bounteous
immensely ofprovidence, and that the
Saviour will come according to his
word, in all ''the glory of his fathers"
it is the kingdom of Heaven which
comes to us in this terrestial world, it
is the reign ofCbrist; he triumphs; he
has conquered evil. CHRIsTus REG
NAT, vINcIT, IMrERAT.
Then the promises of Christ who
announced this brilliant metamorphosis
will be sounded from Pole to Pole all
nations will wish to read and revere
his prophecy IN the evangelical record.
Thus the banner of Christ, the cross
will be carried in triumph among the
people of the earth happy - have es-
capped from the yoke of our false po-
liticaI and social sciences, and from
poverty.
Then will the Cross have accom-
pIished its twofold destiny: that ofcoN-
ISOLATION during the reign of evil, and
that Of universal banner, when human
reason shall have accomplished the task
imposed ons.it.by Christ. "Querite ct
invenieIis. Seek ye first the kingdom
of God and His righteousness, the
harmony of the passions in Associa-
tive Unity.
Then will the banner of the cross
display with glory its device, the au-
curry. ofvictory, In Hoe Signo Vinces'
1under this banner thou shalt van
quish:l fer then it will have conquered
evil, conquered the gates of hell con,
quered false philosophy, and national
indulgence, and spurious civilization
ct poria inferni non praevalebunt.
These words prove. trust, tnat
Fourier is not ans infidel, THAT his the
ory is not one of "disgusling immoral
;ty'' of ssyile licentiousness'" and that
il does not excite contempt and disFe-
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