Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1847-09-02
J. b. JftTER.,
j. ID AlcGII,I,.
}. l.. REYNOLDS
II. llUME,
/. ). IlNSl.EY,
No. III.

we MAINTAIN, III The Inst place, that associations r
'oa''ahie aud rlots pnrp ses have a cew riQLt 10 leeal
protection. i he rlgli 10 acquire property is nudispuied
and llaiiennble. The right 10 employ it in life. - he
qheaili II nj d'aih. for any purpose not cont1lcfinp with
tht pubic interest, is equally Obvious. and equally ,leal
TO the heart OF every freeman. The consecraion al pro
perry to charitable and religious uses is a duty. plainly
cnJolned IN the scriptures, and acknow lcdppd and res
peclod among every Christian people under heaven
a duty The performance Of which secures a double BLESSING
Oh them who receive, and a richer blessing on him who
gives. II Is an essential alinont Of true piety and ,v-
cry attempt 10 limit, control, or Illustrate It's exercise.
except Tor reason affecting the public good is an ass,ul,
On religious Freedom, and an invasion of the riobts
oi cnnScience. Many religious charities must from ,b,
nature d Their Objects, be social. 1t is bv the union Of
numerous charitable contributions. that prov ision must
be made foT the education oil ndigent Young ministers.
the spread Of the gospel, the moral culture of the risino
generation. and many other objects dear 10 the plpls
heart. And now, we seriously ask our lellovritlzens
whether Christians have moi a right To protection i,
The consecfalion OF their property to charitable and li-
ous uses
In thls commonwealth men may give or beqnea,b their
property to literary, m'rcantle. agricultural or any other
secular object, noi only without legal hindralce. but with
every desired legislative aid? We do not comula,n Of
thus. II isa clear and indeieaslblc right. But is I TO be
'o'e'a''u III 'his land IN which our government is based
on an achnow%le dgment of he Inspiration of the Scrintnres.
that rell2lnus charities shall not only be left wi,bm,t
legislative aid, but be n effect prescribed? Shall Chris
lIans be restrained in The performance ola duty. the mes,
noble and godllke, or be compelled 10 resort 10 some
indirect, unsafe and demoralzing mode Of perform
ing 1t
"A gift, y says Mr.. Sergeant, IN his admirable defence
OF birards wlll,"to piots or G. irritable uses, is deemed
to be the performance of a duty, ola commanded duty,
Tor winch the donors are promised a blessing To themselves
And can II be, that IN Il land where this duty is acknovI.
edge as of binding and universal obligation. the liberty
of performing II can he denied2 For to outlaw it. as il
were, to Withhold from it all protection and support,
what Is Tins but TO declare that the duty shall not be
perforned2'
were there any paramount public considerations To de.
lnand THIS enriallmen' Of our religious rights, we might
from motives oi patriotism, chcerlully suhmit,o it,. Bul
" ask, What are the considerations which impcralively
require this invasion Of freedom of conscience? The
1t will be conceded in this Christian country. is
good.
The preaching of the gospel to the poor and destitute is
a work which none but iniidcls will oppose. In conlribn-
ting cur property 10 this rurpos,. We are chewing the
dictates 81 our own conscienccs; and whether the appro-
prtatlon be wise or unmisr. we claim legal protection, for
II unless 1t should be apparent hat, by making ii. we in.
wade Tie rlglltsoi our fellow citizens. But whose risbfs
are "JRfed by our own contributions 10 this ohiactl We
gave only that Which Is our own and which none can
clam without injustice. Every legal demand must be
met before CLARITY rn begin. And why should men,
Who combine for religious purposes, be deemed less wor-
my oi confidence Il an their fellow citizens who unite il
secular %purpos.s2 Are they less intelligent. ylrtuuus
ana patriotic! We know no consideration, public on p
'ate, which can justify the Legislature in Withholding
from religious bodies "A clear rieht--lhe right of receiving
and holding property ciariably bestowed on them, with
In such limitations as a sound aud enlightened policy may
dictate.