Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1844-06-11
(Concladcd.l
3. That tie doctrine is i,ral;g' ous,

-
istc or material, and that we hope to
achieve the reformation Of society by a
mere external me chanism, without regard
to the teachings Of religion.
Weare not surprised At this charge, be-
cause the doctrine Of Fourier has been
taught generally in its scientific aspects,
and Science. in a one-sided view OF it. takes
n position Of antagonism to Revelation, al
though il is found 10 tho end that they mu-
tu,ay support and illustrate each other
God being the author Of both. Science is
too much cultivated in the sphere of Neces-
sity, and Revelation in the sphere Of Faith,
whereas they should be equally instru
mcnts Of unfolding the mysteries Of Gods
word and works. Astronomy, mathcmat-
les, geology. have Nil ut times presented
themselves in opposition to Christianity;
bat larger knowledge of the facts Of the
one, and OF the meaning OF the other, have
made them willing co-operators IN the re-
demptjou of Man from ignorance and sui
feriug
Social Science, it VIII be seen in the
gjon, IS one of its best and highest express
sIons.
/: would lead us into too technical and
abstruse IA metaphysical discussion to at
tempt to show the complete compatibility
al every word Of Revelation with the Doc
trine of the Passions; but we believe We
can do So, under the light OF Universal
Nnology, and may hereafter make the ef-
fort. At present, we cOnfne ourselves To
general Affirmation and popular expana
IOa.
We clai" to be Christians. then, because
we believe the gospel Of Christ to be the
highest revelation given to Man; and we
LeIieve that this religious dispensation will
endure until it has been fully established
by the creation Of a New Heaven and a
New Earth. desc bed ia the Book And,
again, we claim to be Christians, because
we believe that the Providence Of God is
Universal; that il is both partial and gene
rrl, and that he is God OF Love and
Mercy, not Il cold abstraction, bu; ever
near 10 Us, present ia the mind and heart
and senses.
We believe II To he our du'v 10 obey the
commandment of Love, and have perfect
fath in lh" promise Of hghr gwen by the
Savior:
''Srck We first the kjrgt'm Of God and
10 Justice. aud all these thjrg1 worldly
con, 'ort, shall b. added unto you.
Ia obrdgCucc Ia tbs c0nm1ud. and in
implicit faith IA rhis promise. we seek that
wc mry Gad The Kingdom of God ard lis
righteousness; and we are only afraid OF
those who shy that nothing can be found
BY seeking; that The mystery OF the Uni
verse Is rmFcnctrable; that the curse Of
civilized duPijci'y and misery will last for
ever; thar human nature i too bad to be
icIerm,d; that the will of God cannot be
done on Earth, as it is in IIeav en-, though
we are instructed to ask for his in daily
PRAYER. We are afraid, We say, Of such
ncgations, aud regard all persons who en-
terrain them rs Infdcls, whatovcr may be
their professions or crceds.
We believe that every word Of the Cos
pei IS divine, but we bricve also that no
human understanding oil that Word is per-
feet.
II, then, It be asked, what particular
form OF doctrine We propose to teach, We
reply that we have no ssion 10 teach any
one religious creed or preference to others.
individually, we admit all creeds in their
peculiar spheres, inasmuch as they arc all
respectively partial aspects OF the one eter-
ma, tru;h OF Revelation, in is infinite varl-
ety. Of aspects. We admit all views of
truth, without denying any. and subscribe
to every creed, but no. exclusively; what
is affirmative in each is, for the most part, ,
true, while the error Of each is in its ne
gallon and excusveism.
Oar object, in regard to Faith and Spj-
ritual Light, then, is not 10 teach new
religion, but 10 point to That which has al
ready been revealed, to show that men as
yet have only grasped the shadows Of that
true Religion, in lis various aspects, and
mistaken these for reality. The various
creeds and doctrines OF religious sects are
types of Unity, bat the life aud practice
OF these sects arc not in Unity. 1t is 4
shadowy aspiration more or less intense,
tut not a positive reality; for, while the
truths of doctrine are embraced aud held
IN vcnc ration, practical life is stepped in
diScord aud iniqulty; and this must ever
he the case, until the spirit OF religious
truth or unity be really embodied in the
practice Of daily life-the end we seek to
realize.
We seek 10 effect this practical embodi-
ment Of religious truth and love, in daily
lie, by attractive industry and unitary
combination; neither OF which are in them
selves alone Religious Unity, but the body
or collective form in which alone the ordi-
nanccs Of Christianity. the spirit Of religion,
the Universal church, can be Incorporated
practically and necessarily, for without
the Body The Spirit cannot be manifested
fully on Earth. We do not deny, then.
me spiritual truth Of Religion; we desire
10 organize body to receive that truth;
Pracucal reality, and not mockery. And
"ha' IS more, we hold that all religious
creeds are true in their main features, and
Only need to be embodied in material or
game n'ty, to prove their beauty and uiil-
NY respectively, and their indispu,able
claims TO true origin, ordained bv Prov.
dence. 1t is the want Of such \ bodv
which confines them 10 the realm. Of suI-
fering spirits and discordant action: tvpes
and shadows in confusion struggling to be-
come realities.