Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1845-01-09

word, and it was committed to human
reason to understand Him. The au-
thority of something human to stand be-
for ages but the Reformation had dis
covered the truth. A the important re-
suits Of the Reformation cannot be men
toned here but two Of the most re-
markable must be mentioned
lst. The free use Of he Word OF
God.
Cd. The political theory Of politca!
men.
The former had been preached long
before, but it was soon taken up distinct
lively by The Puritans. In other coun-
tries, wherever the right TO read the
Scriptures had not been enjoyed, one
uniform result has always succeeded
The moet the upper classes and all
The masses of the people are idolaters.
\ The Puriians maintained that the Scrip
lures would raise the condition and char
acter of man and experience has amply
proved the theory. No where are TO
be found more of Heavens blessings,
aud fewer of its Judgments, than in Pu-
yilan New England.
\ Nor can we think that other systems,
whose principles exist among us, would
prove more harmless than they have
proved in Europe, If they were left un-
restrained by the institutions under which
we live, and by which they are tolerated.
We may.rest assured that there is spr-
it of intolerance inherent among them,
which will be discovered and enforced
whenever il shall be safe. Great ap.
plapse.)
| The Reformation included not only a
religious bnt political change in the
State. This we canno, avoid to perceive
Opposite principles at the root. Reli-
gion could no longer ask her title OF a
baron or bishop, and lay and ecclesias-
tical lords were stripped at once Of their
powers, and sent back 1900 years. And
see what strange phenomenon is now
presented in one day Both are now
Joining against the principles of the
Reformation. What eXertions are made
to teach mental bondage, well knowing
that physical submission must inevitably
\ follow. The Conservative and the ABB
s"Iute parties begin allie 10 assall the
principles, .ho memory and the instau-
\ tons of o,ir ancestor one TO establish
unlimited pcrsenal license the other to
irebien us with the fear Of uncontrolled
mul,tudes, claiming the lisni 10 rule
, them. Absoln,eism ask us ~ admit that
princes and preaies have the right to
occupy the ihyone which they assume
has been vacated by God We see her
laboring to restore the nins Of labIicks
destroyed long ago. She would again
restore the times of Nildcbrand, when
kiugs were Aagella,ed at the command
( Of monk.
| There are those who affect to praise
the spirit Of the middle ages. llumani-
, ty never suffered under such loads OF
misery, even in Pagan countries. So
ciety was apandemonium. Tho rights
orrulers and their oppression were Unit
ed only 10y their weakness. The only
duty Of the vassal was 20 live in the SER
vice OF his lord, and to die in his cause
ii the master !ell In;o ihe hands Of an
enemy az prisoner, the vassals must
pay tie ransom II he had n daughter
l.. marry, they must contribute to raise
her dowry. AT his will they were com
PEELED tOJbAad his castles, which at his
pleasure were 10 be their prisons. AT
their death, the priest who claimed to
shrive their souls, stood ready to rob his
/ flock and his treasure of the richest and
choicest part, while the bailIf' seized
what he left behind
But this is not the worst there was
something beyond. Rights were claimed
and exercised by the rulers in The name
Of Christianity, which left the people 70
\ right to en- Joy, and no law to protect. -
|. There was every where present an in.
ilucnce Of fear Of external punishment,
| when awed even TO submission and thus
the State joined with the Crozier, to sub
jnga!c and irample down the peasant
.ry.
Il hluch has been sad Of the influence
Of hooks for the benefit of the people
| but that is wholly unfounded The few
! books which we're written were not in
tended for the people, and did not reach
them. Scarcely en Eccesias,ic APP
! peared in their favor, except John Ball
honor 10 his memory He stood uI
manfully for the rights of conscience
bnt the Bishop Of Canterbury soon hac
him in his prisons, and he suffered death
/ Little was done by Christian bencvo.
'ence it is true hospiccs were erected
here and there for the accommodated
( Of pilgrims whom tic priests bllndy dup
ed, and led from shrine 10 shrine, anC
supplies were distributed to a few Of the
miserable beings KEEP, in degradation by
the priests. But we should probably be
safe in assuming, that Europe never ex
( pended in Charity, during the middle
Ages, an amount so large as that expend
+ cd By the United States in feeding ant
clothing the paupers and ielons who nr,
sent to our shores, To oppose our inter
ests and principles, as tie ensiest way tc
rid them Of their support. Loud, pro
longcd and repeated applause
Writer'S in those days never attempt
ed to enlighlen the people. Superficial
d spccuiations Ire9t oyosy word spoker
+ agains. the middle Ages rs rcl'gion,