The New York herald., 1845-04-20

her sixteenth day.
Fanaticism and Inideiity OF the Age.
One OF the most painful subjec 3 presented in this
day, the observation Of the enlightened friend ot
humanity, is the alarming progress OF ianaticlsm
and ntidelty. Every species OF ffanatacism appears
to be daily acquiring deeper tinge OF extravaganza
and madness. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
--all the isms around which the folly OF weak
minds and the knavery of unprinclpled adventurers
have been congregated, are becoming more and
more revolving and demosallzlng
A.. of the peculiarities of these false and wick
al nerversons of morals and religion, is their
nroneness to split up and divide into minor sects,
still more deplorably at variance with truth and
decency than their original. Thus we see the Mil
lerites now dispensing into small communities OF
fanatics, whose violations of common decency are
SO gross as to demand the interference OF the civil
authorities In Maine, Millersm has recently as
sumed form which is marked by the most melan-
choly generalization. Processing the belief that
the end OF the world has actually come. and tina
the human race are about TO be led to Judgment,
these fanatics giving themselves up to the most
revolving practices and obscene ceremonies. They
declare that the distinction OF sexes has been abol-
ished, and in their private meeting-paces, they en-
gage in the washing of each others naked bodies,
and other acts OF gross indecency, which exceed
any thing perpetrated by the inpostor Matthias and
his followers. 1t is stated by the Morning Ne,0s,
that the contagon has spread to this city, and that
similar meetings have been held here, and that the
same kissings aud washiugs, and other filthy rites,
in which even negroes have mingled, as charac-
teriss the fanatical assemblases in Maine, have
been psrpetrated. This is, indeed, fearful aspect
of the social condition.
Then, again, in a thousand directions, infidelity
may be traced like river of desolating lava
bghtiDg and blasting the hopes, purity and happi-
ness Of the souls of men. Under various DISCUSSES
the spirit of scepticism is at work, unsetling the
minds cfthe young. the weak and the proud-hard.
ening the hearts of the thoughlless and the pro-
fame. What is the cause of all this? Where are
we to lock for the sources of this swelling tide of
fanaticsm and infdelity?
First amongst the causes of the fanaticism which
is presenting itself under such revolving aspects,
and of the infidelity which is corroding the moral
andsreligious sentiment of the age, we regard the
conduct of the clergy-both in a theological and
moral point of view. BY their intolerance, secta-
rianism and polemical controversies, conducted with
so much bitterness and rancour the clergy are de-
moralizing the popular mind in degree which is
not matter of mere speculation and conjecture for
its extent is but too apparent. The christian cha
rites and gracss-al the fair and attractive fruits
of genuine religio1-have thus, in many quarters,
perished amid the fierce storms Of theological dis
putation. Then, again, the immoralities of the
clergy have far and wid., destroyed the influence
of christianity. Every nov and then, some exag.
gerated case of prestIy turp is presented to the
public eye, and the fall of Bishop or priest,
vitiates the moral power Of an hundred pulpits
Unquestionably, the unfaithfulnea,, intolerance,
and immortality of the clergy have had a most
mournfully extended influence in corrupting the
moral and religious sentiment of society.
Another prolific source of the fanaticism, immo-
raty and infidelity of the day, is to be found in
the publications issued by the great publishers.
Mingled up with the Holy Bible, we have seen
publishing houses like that of the Harpers, issuing
cheap editions of the writings of the.most licen-
tious novelists. Eugene Sue and the Decameron
OF Bocacio have thus been circulated in the same
bundle with the Holy Scriptures. At the same
time we see other publishers-Wiley & Putnam
for rinstance-spreadng throughout the community,
philosophical works, they are styled, whose d.
rect aim is to overturn Christianity. We have
just seen book entitled "Vestiges of the History
of Creation" which appears to have been written
by some one in this city, and which issues from
the press of Wiley & Putnam. This work attempts
IN the most ingenious manner to unite the test-
mony of all the sciences against the truth of the
revelations of the sacred writings, and to seduce
its readers into materialsm. The "Apocryphal
Gospels" have also been recently published in this
city, and are strenuously pushed into circulation
for the purpose of advancing peculiar dogmas, even
at the expense Of shaking confidence in the authen
ITCHY OF the canonical books of the sacred volume.
The direct and obvious tendency of all these pub.
locations is to unsettle the popular mnd-to fritter
away confidence in Christianity, and to foster
spirit of cold and heartless infdelity.
Thus, in all quarters, we see agencies Of demo
ralzation at work. The literature, philosophy.
morals, religion, and we may add the politics Of
the age, beset by influences tending to unsettle
the mind-to obliterate the ancient landmarks-to
cast the mind afioat, without rudder or compass,
on the great ocean Of thought. Need we then
wonder at the progress of fanaticsm and infidely?
But where are we to look for a counteracting in
huencef We answer, in the practical good sense
Of the independent daily press. The clergy may
be unfaithful and immoral-piouspublishe loving
virtue and religion much, but dollars little more,
may inundate the land with lcentiousness and
scepticism-but the daily press will still stand the
great bulwark of the good and the true-the break
er OF Intellectual chains-the avenger of injured
rights-the moral Hercules that goes forth turning
wilderness into fertility and shifting the "mon.
sters of the worldv'
STATE CONVENTION. There is a good deal OF
camor about State Convention for the purpose
of amending the Constitution. The whole project
Is piece of weakness and absurdity. We do not
want any amendments OF the State Constitution.
We have plenty of good provisions and good laws.
But we want moral firmncss and integrity in those
who are sent to occupy seats in our legislative bo-
dies. This is what we want-not new provisions,
planted on the constitution, that can be easily
overlooked by scheming politicians and lawyers
For instance, one of the principal objects sought