The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-01-12

Rsllgts~-rresrsn ~ Lr'srarty and Truth.
1t is ccnsoiing RED CT: on to the moralist, the
and the man Of true piety, when
he reviews the history Of the United States for
twelve or fifteen years past, that the cause OF
rational and moral religion-.he same which was
first promulgated in the sermon on the Mount,
by Jesus Christians made such favorable pro-
gress, and has attained such a signal triumph
over bigotry, intolerance, and immortality, under
the name and cloak of religion, as it evidently
has. Within the time we speak of, we have
seen Mormons and Shakers, and Free Enquirers,
and Philosophical Enquirers, and Rationalists,
and Fourierites and Associationists, and Perfec-
tionists, and Infdels, and followers of Paine and
Volney and we don't know how many more,
arise and proclaim their doctrines in various parts
of the country, by day and by night, in the
wildernesses of the West, in the highways and
byways of the country, and in the thoroughfares
and market places of our chief cities and towns.
We have seen them unblushingly proclaim and
preach their unsound and demoralising doctrines
in public, and advocate them in every possible
way, publicly and privately, for the purpose Of
gaining proselytes and furthering the cause to
seen them publish journals devoted 10 the
spread of their doctrines, and waging war
against the tenets and principles of the Chris
tians of all denominations, with the avowed
purpose of breaking down Christianity, and
using the most abusive and violent Ian
guage as their weapons. While, however, these
several in6del sects were waging crusade
against the Christian religion, the Christians
themselves were engaged in prosecuting and
quarrellisg among themselves. We have seen
the professors and preachers of one demo-
mination rise up in their pulpits, and denounce,
IN language obscene and disgraceful, all others
with whom they disagreed on minor, and, in
many instances, immaterial points Of doctrine;
and most especially the Roman Catholics, of
whom all others are but off-shoots. In the
Christian journals, too, we have seen the most
bitter and violent controversies conducted, and
argument and reason, and moderation and cha
rity abandoned, and violent denunciation re-
sorted to for the purpose of convincing their
opponents of the falsity CT their religious prin-
ciples.
But what change has taken place The
Mormons are dispersed and scattered over
the continent. Since the decease of their
leader and prophet, Joe Smith, they have
been, to all intents and purposes, extinct.
Fanny Wright no longer breaches her inidel
doctrines in public. The Free Euquirers-the
Rationalists, the Perfectionists, and the Infdes,
Of all classes-are hushed. The Fourierites
and the Associationists are at their last gasp.
The Shakers have diminished ia remarkable
degree, and the small remnant which is left of
them are held together more by community of
personal and worldly interests, than by their re-
ligious principles. The followers Of PUNE, too,
have virtually ceased, and they would be entirely
forgotten, were it not that they annually cele.
brate the anniversary of his birthday by a bel
in THE city. The organs and other publications
of these different sects have died with them
and, while we used to see dozen or more Of
those prints, we now see not one. This
change is one ut which all truly religion,
and rational people must feel grati6ed; but how
much more delighted must they feel at the
change that has taken place in the demeanor ane
conduct Of the Christian sects towards each
other. We no longer hear the Protestants de-
nounce the Catholics in the abusive strain il
which they formerly did; we no longer see
the hand of every persuasion lifted up agains
them, and their hand lifted up against all others
Their differences are discussed more in Chris
tan temper, and more with desire to elci
| truth, than formerly they have been brough
..ea+her hv the nroGr.ssive and tolerant spirit o
the age; and the more they see and mlngle will
each other, the more they are satisfied and con.
yinced that in all sects and all denominations
of Christians, there are good and truly religious
men, and in their doctrines much to be admired
and cherished. The more they see and under.
stand of each other, the more they like and
respect each other, and the bitterness, hostility
and prejudice which their distorted imaginations
conjured up, are dissipated and dispelled, on
intimacy and close connection.
This revolution and change cannot but be
hailed with emotions of pleasure and satisfac-
ton by all levers of rational and true religion;
but how has it been accomplished by what
means or instrumensalty 1t has been effected,
IN the first place. by the disconnection of Church
and State. No religion having preference by
law, each and all. had to depend on their own ex-
ertions to increase and extend. To do this, con-
troversy and enquiry have been necessary; and
the result of this enquiry is what we now see
tolerance and charity, where before was bigotry
and prejudice. The most recent, as it certainly
is the most extraordinary, evidence of this spirit
of liberation and charity was evidenced at the
dinner given at the Astor House the other day.
by the descendants of the Puritans, at which,
at the head table, sitting side by side with the
most distinguished guests was Bishop Hughes,
Roman Catholic prelate! Aye, and more than
that, the Sovereign Pontlff of Rome, the head
of the Catholic Church, and the spiritual head of
all the Catholics in the universe, was toasted at
that same dinner by those same Psritans; and
our friend, Bishop Hughes, Roman Catholic
prelate, holding authority and office under the
Roman Pontiff, responded to such toasts, in
the midst of New England Puritans, at a
semi-religious anniversary of the Purians /!
We have seen, too, tho same prelate invited,
when he was in Washington, by the most dis