Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1848-03-03

probability that any thing better can be obtalneu-
to vote for the ratification OF the Constitution
n While the views generally of our correspon-
dent, 'Conciliator, meet our appreciation, we feel
called upon to express our dissent as regards one
sentiment advanccd-vz: that no religion can pro-
duce sound code of morals. We are willing to
admit, were the almost universal conduct of those
protesting religion to be taken as the sole criterion
by which to Judge in the matter, the opinion might
be teuaJle one. Our friend, we presume. has
Judged by this rule But it seems to us that in
Judging of the Christian religion, resort should be
had not to the Inconsistencies of its professors,
to human creeds which assume to eXpound its
truths, but to the Bible, where its genuine doc
trines and principles are to be found. A higher
and sounder code OF morals than that to be gathered
from the teachings of the great founder of Christi
anity, and his early disciples cannot be conceived
of by finite minds-and as a basis for human CON
duet and government, would be found an ciiectual
remedy for all the abuses and wrongs under which
humanity is suffering. What the foundation
principles of this relgon-lo,e to God and love TO
/
Others as We would that others should do unto YOU
visit the SICK, cothe the naked, feed the hungry
return not evil for evil, but do good to them that
despite(uy use you" &c. &c. Here some of
the teachings of this reigion-and who can fail to
see that practical recognition of these principles
on the part of men in their conduct towards each
other would transform the world into a Paradise
! What form Of oppression or wrong could exist I'M
der a code like this, and what want of humanity
physical intellectual moral or religious that the ge
! looking then for code of morality whose results
are to be most beneficial where would our friend
have us go for more complete andperlect one than
that furnished by the Scriptures or the Christian
religion? The trouble with the world is, not that
it has tested Christian morality and found it to be
unsound and insufficient but that it has refused to
,est it; and the evils under which it suffers are d.
recty TO be traced to violations Of the principles of
that morality while the only remedy is TO be found
in the adoption and universal application of those
principles. When men are prepared to come up to
the true Christian standard of morality, we may
look fer the millenal day, and not before.
lit were true that the Christian religion has no
thing to rest upon but what our correspondent
somewhat thoughtlessy, we think-suggests, it
would indeed furnish poor code of morals. But
how wide from the truth is the remark-at least in
its application to pure Christianity, whose main
appeaI. are not to a motive of fear but to those two
chords of the human SOUL formed to create the most
melodious music Love and Fath-by the first Of
these, TO encourage and extend the universal spirit
philanthropy; by the last, to preserve stcadast
hope and sacred trust in the truth, the beauty and
the wisdom of Gods providence, and the operations
OF nature, guided by his unerrng hand. 1t is re-
lgon, and furnishes morality, which is especially
designed for promoting the growth of the generous
sympathies encouraging works of reform, OF char
tv and affection and in a word for the cultivation
of benevolence in its purest forms At the same
time il renounccs utterly all the meaner springs of
conduct, and pasies the action of fear Its policy
would make man better by making a man and a
freeman of him rather than coward and slave
! by acts of mercy rather than by acts or words OF
harshness; BY counting his good will rather than by
appealing to his dread and hatred
This is the character of the Christian religion and
Christian morality, not as illustrated by the charac
ter and conduct of those who take upon themselves
the profession of Christianity, but as presented in
the life and teachings of Him whose devotion to the
interests Of humanity was sealed by his blood