New-York daily tribune., 1845-02-26

;c, Of the Second Church in RoIbury. fubliShed by
,rouest Boston. Benjamin H. Greene, iSio.
This isdiscourse derives interest, not SO much from
;0t1asic claims, as from the circumstances under
uh;obit was delivered, and the position occupied
/ lv The preacher in New England.
! We cannot wonder at the hopes entertained by
ne ancient Catholic church, of seeing its domln-
m renewed and strengthened on earth, when we
.,e the almost universal dereliction among Protest
ants from the great principle Of Professionalism =
respect for the right Of private judgment and the
dscision of conscience in the individual. From
/ ruther downward, each sect claiming to be Pro-
..rsnt, ha. claimed no less 10 utter its aHathema
,saast those who differed from it, with the author
;,v vof Golden Bull, nor were Lutherans distin-
gnshed for toleratlng any new evidences oil the
s,,rit of Luther In our own country this has been
asphested in the most marked manner. The Pu-
,,,os came hther to vindicate for themselves the
,;;ehs Of conscience, but learnt from their exPe-
,;e,re Of suffering no lesson that enabled them TO
res,.c those rights in others. and, as yet, in this
couary, after so many years Of political tolerance,
there exists very little notion, far less prac-
ice Of spiritual tolerance Men cannot be con-
tent even in cases where they see the practice
bsare.ceent fruit to leave the doctrine between the
manaud his God. Each little cotere has its pri-
waite pope, Distinguished indeed, from the old by
the inpcssibility of obtaining from him indulgen-
ces lat least for heresy y and an indelity in the
oow.r Of Truth, and the wisdom of the Ruler of
the Universe is betrayed, which darkens the intel
lecs aud checks the good impulses Of natural sym
pathy.
The Ur;,arians Of New-England saw these er-
ron, in looking over the history of opinion, and
Womsed themselves and others that they would
refrain from such. They arogated to themselves
the title Of LIBERAL CHRISTIANS, and they did not
fail 10 be steadily admonshed. by the dread, the
scorn or unthinking blame, heaped by other sects
upon them, of the desirableness Of revving in
Christendom the spirit of him who feared not TO
call the Gentle 10 his flock, and had no difficulty
in worshiping upon the mountains outside Jewry.
"By their fruits" said he, eye shall know them"
There have not been wanting some among them
who were true 10 this desire, and could be called
liberal Christians, not only in reference TO those
who did not go so far, but to those who went lit
tls isSssher than themselves. The late DR.. Chan
ming, The greatest man who has yet arisen among
them, was truly liberal Christian. He had conf
dence in the vital energy Of Truth, and was not
afraid to trust others with the same privileges he
bad indicated for himself, even if they made use
Of them in different manner. He had preached
much Of the dignity of human nature," and he
showed by his tolerance of its varied manifesto
tioas and modes of growth, that he deeply believed
wha, he preached.
How often must we mourn his departure for
there seems to be no mind which, by its union Of
decision and mildness with an appreciation Of its
own principles could so well fulfil the Office of a
Peace-maker. For that office consists not in hush
ing up truth, or sitting individual feeling, but in
allowing distinctly the claims of all, and casting
light from above upon their nature and their sgnih-
cance He is much wanted now TO cast this light
upon the course taken by the Unitarian clergy in
the case Of Mr.. Parker
DIR Parker was highly esteemed member OF
Inc Christian Unitarian body till, some four years
G1ce, he uttered himself with freedom ON few
points, IN way distasteful to the majority. Part
OF the offence consisted in views EXPRESSED bv him
as to the nature of inspiration, and The facts of Ri
bic history, in which he really differs from the ma.
jorily; part in attacks upon abuses which he saw
or thought he saw, in the church to which he be.
Onscd, such as may be inferred from the heads of
"The Pharisecs, ." Idolaty," &c.
Z Then arose good deal Of outcry which was
WELL for il called on Mr.. Parker 10 explain himself,
and give the multitude of hearers an opportunity to
consider his arguments, and Judge whether they
conceded with his censures. He delivered many
lectures 10 full and eager audiences, and, doubt
.h, t,J hot
congenial with his, has been principal agent in
It's development. At the same time, very strong
and wide dissent was manifested
A tacit persecution followed on the part of the
clergy, in which they were sustained by part Of
ihe community. 1t was almost impossible for Mr..
fsfRer TO obtain an exchange with any pulpit. AS
10 THIS, we think that clergyman has right TO
avoid uncousenial cooperation in this way. jus. as
ae has 10 decline uncongenial books, or unconge
Nal visitors ba, we think also that il is unwise TO
exercise this right. lst; because we all need un.
consenlai statements, aud the view of the other
ade,,o prevent the mind from becoming petrihed and
narrowed. Free air is needed, even if it do some
tunes come harshly, sometimes sul,ry. I'd; 1t is
the sure way TO give the proscribed party influence.
Sot was in this case. The flock ran ou, of The
told TO seek the wolf Mr. Parker was invited to
lecture every where, and the Westinghouse was
deserted for the lecture-room.
There seemed reason 100 10 think that the Clergy
Were no, only repeed by the opinions of Mr. Par.
Ser' but netlled by his assaults, and extremely
aTaid oil the scandal; that they hadno confidence
enough IN those principles which had been the ami
mating SOU! of their body to be raised above dread
9' NE comment passed by other sects upon this
ial'adina'lan conduct among them. eft will do
sies' hur'' they cried, and, in go doing, echoed
me tones OF blsotry about themselves and deserted
their banner.
snil 1t was not so bad while each one, for him.
sell merely, a6s'ained from exchanging with MIR.
f@ker and cast private blame on the few who did
as they NIGH, have censared any other act in
Which they, as men, did not sympa,hize. Their
eensure was personal more than clerica, pr,
mere has lately been an atemp, to pu, down bodily
any willingness to make these exchanges which
-eseTves severe censure, and will receive il fror,
as page of history.
Two clergymen, the Rev. Mr.. Sergeant and III.
aes' Mr, Clarke, of the Church OF the Dscirl,e