Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1848-01-14
Modern Inidelity.

what is called "modern,". Or the 'Present
type OF lnidelity :" and surely it must be Of
some importance to understand precisely
what 1t is. There are, it seems to me, two
ways Of coming at it; one is by taking the
description given Of it by those who claim
to be the "orthodox," and the other is by
comparing it with modern Christianity.
recently noticed rare and somewhat Gu
rious article OH this subject; so much so that
1t attracted my attention. 1t was an article
headed "The present type of Infdelity,"
written by a Theological Student of Ober-
lin, aud published in the Evangelist of Sept.
30, and may, | suppose, be received as the
genuine Theology of that Theological School.
can only give a few extracts. The writer
says:
"lnfdelity is a~rraying herself at the pres
ent time, in robes Of most dazzling brillian-
cy. She introduces herself to our acquain-
lance by eulogizing in the highest terms the
Ioliy and glorious character Of Jesus Christ.
She represents him as the embodiment of
everything lovely and noble. His life was
immaculate purity, without spot or blemish.
in him were illustrated in their perfection
and glory the attributes of benevolence, JUS
tlce, mercy, magnanimiiy and truth. Who
can look upon the portrait which even inf
deity draws of the Savior's character, and
/ not feel his souls deepest emotion of gran
deur aud sublimity moved within him ! Our
warmeSt admiration and love involuntarily
go out after a being of such noble attributes.
Nor is this a romance. No. Every word
which lnfdelity here says Of Christ's char
acter is truth-preclous truth"
Who ever before discovered that Jnfdels
so highly exalted the blessed Son of God I
Would that the whole world could be indu-
ced thus to regard the glorious character of
Jesus Christ the Savior Of men. But again:
'Thc imposing type of Infdelity of which
we speak Is associated with some of the no.
BILE reforms OF the age, especially with the
antl-sIavery and temperance II
is through these channels, mainly, that she
succeeds in getting access to the sympathies
and affections OF SO many minds. The hes,
sympathies of our nature are warmly enlist.
In behalf of the victims of our accursed
and he who stands forth in behalf
Of his brethren in bonds. and has moral be.
'sism enough to break away from the shack
.es OF party and consecrate his life on the al.
of bleeding humanity, has a strong hold
On the confidence of mulutudes of pbila n.
hearts,"
The reader must keep in mind that this is
'hodern,' or "The present type of Infdeli.
'y;' otherwise he might be led 10 suppose
1t was a glowing description of Primitive
Christianity. Indeed, what more did the
Christian ever do than to sacrifice his life on
the altar of bleeding humanity, or in other
words, 10 lay down his life for his brethren.
Gan 1t appear strange to candid rejecting
minds that such men should possess the con.
hdence of pliIanthropic hearts? Once more
he says:
ION the one hand Infdelity presents her.
sell clothed in an angels robe, and in her
W lnlmitabIy winning way, invites men 10
become her followers, while on the other the
nominal christian church has gone into dark
backsliding. and lost her power with God
and man. She hath in a most wofnl degree
lost her primitive simplicity and puritySwe
are compelled to acknowledge that within
Inc sacraN precincts Of the christian church.
the toulest sins that ever blusled in the face
OF the sum- find home and protection"
o horrible and yet this is called by mo.
dern Th~eologians, CHRISTIANITY! the Chris
tan Church! May God save the world from
Sach a Christianity.
That we may see more clearly what "Mo-
dern lnhde!ity" is, let US for a moment con.
tras' 1t with Modern Christianity. The reli.
glon OF this country (for | will not call it
Christianity declares that slaveholding is
not sinful, but is sanctioned by the word of
God. 1t declares that the New Testament
has not clearly denied to men a plurality of
wives. 1t denies that "all war is inconsis.
tent with the spirit Of Christianity and des-
tructlve of the best interests of mankind. -
While "Modern lnfdelity" declares that
slaveholding is the sum of all villanies, and
the man who is a Shareholder, undeserving
the name Of Christian. 1t declares and be-
lleves In regard to Polygamy, that God in
the beginning made them male and female"
and that Jesus Christ has said, 'for this
cause shall a man leave his father and moth
er and cleave unto his rife" As respects
war, it declares that it is all in violation Of
the very spirit of Christianity, and that all
men ought TO associate in a league of uni.
versal brotherhood" while, shameful to re.
late, some of the p~r9fessed ministers are tea.
ching the people in this region how, under
some circumstances, they may break the
heads of their fellow men, under the ssno.
ton of God the Father, Son and HOLY Ghost.
The fact is, as it appears TO me-, the reli.
gion OF the country receives its stamp from a
man-Pleasing and time-serving priesthood.
who preach for a certain sum-, "for Value
received" and while his is ca ,bou LII