Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-08-27
VOLUME XLIV.-NUMBER "a.

sing on him who gives. Il is an essential ele-
ment oil true piety; and every attempt 10 limit,
CONTROL or Illustrate its exercise except for rea-
sons affecting The public good, is an assault on
religious freedom, ard an invasion OF the rights
OF conscience. Many religious charities must,
from the nature oil their objects be social. II is
By The union Of numerous charitable conl!ibu-
lions, that provision must be made Tor the educa-
ton of INDECENT young ministers, the spread OF
the gospel, the moral culture OF the rising gene
ration, and many other objects dear 10 The pious
hear. And now, We seriously ask orr fellow.
citizens whether Christians have not right 10
protection in the conservation OF their propery TO
charitable and pions uses2
In this Commonwealth men NAV give or be.
queah their property 10 literary, mercantile.
agricultural or any other secular object, not only
without legal hindrance. but with every desired
legislative aid? We do not complain of this.
II is clear and indcleasibe right But is i, 10
be tolerated in this land, in which our Govern
menl is based on an acknowledgment of The in
spira!ion OF The Scriptures, that religious char-
ties shall not only be eiI without legislative aid,
but De in effect proscribedl Shall christians be
restrained in The performance Of duty, the mos,
noble and godlike, or be compelled 10 resort TO
some indirect. unsafe and demoralzing mode oil
performing it,
"a gill;" says MIR. Sergeant, in bis admirable
defence OF Girard's will, Ito pious or charitable
uses, is deemed 10 be the performance OF duty,
OF commanded duty, tor which The donors are
promised blessing to themselves. And can il
be, that in land where this duty is acknowledged
as Of binding and universal obligation, the iber-
" OF performing it can be idenied2 For, to out
law it, as il were, 10 withhold from il all prolec
lion and support, what is this but 10 declare thar
The duly shall not be performed2'
Were there any paramount public consider
atoms 10 demand This curailment ofour religious
rights. we might, from motives Of patriotism,
cheerfuly submit 10 il. But we ask what are
the considerations which imperaliyely require
this invasion OF the freedom oil conscience The
object 10 which We propose 10 devote our chart.
lies, il will be conceded in this christian country,
is good.
The preaching Of the gospel 10 The poor and
destitute, is work which none but intides will
oppose. In contributing our property TO this pur-
pose, We are obeying The dictates of our own con-
sciences; and whether The appropriation be wise
or unwise, we claim legal protection Tor il, IN
less il should be apparent that by making it, We
invade The rights OF our fellow citizens. But
whose rights arc injured by our contributions 10
this objecl1 We give only that which is our
own, and which none can claim without injus-
lice. Every legal demand must be met before
Cndiiy CdH ueslH. ANU why snoulu Hchi VINO
combine for religious purposes, be deemed lesa
worthy OF confidence than their fellow citizen.
who unite for secular purposes7 Are they less
Intelligent, viruous and patriotic? We know
no consideration, public or private which can
justify the Legislature in Withholding iron, Teli-
eiou> bodies a clear risht-,he right Of receiving
and holding properly charitably bestowed on
them, within such limitations as sound and
enlightened policy may dictate.
]. B. JETER,
J: 2. RNks9GNSaoLDs,
T. HUME,
s TINSLEY