Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1850-12-14
THE ANTI-SLAyERY BUGLE.
Clerical Tlmidity and Deception,

The Edinburgh Rerielo--a work which will
not in this country at least, be charged with fa-
naticism OF inidelity--has spoken with crcdita-
Bile plainness of the dsingenuous timidity' or
deliberate dishonesty of tho learned Theolo-
CLANS, who in order to shield their dogma of the
infaliblc inspiration of the Scriptures resort to
shifts which no fair minded man can for mo-
ment sanction or justify. Having alluded to
the retention in the English Bible of the text of
the three heavenly witnesses, q John j.: ~
which no scholar since Persons investigation
Processes to believe genuine, and remarking that
such conductis is 'bccoming extremely dangerous
to the influence and authority of our religious
teachers, the Review goes on to say;
"There is no meeting an age of inquiry, ex-
ccpt in the spirit of candor. The question
which lies at the root of all dogmatic Christi
anity, is the authority of the letter of Scripture
yet, strange to say, that question is neither set
tied nor open one even among Protcstants.
All the clergy of almost all sccts are afraid OF
il and the students of Nature, intent only upon
facts that God has revealed TO our senses, have
to fight their way against the self same religious
prejudice which consigned Calico to his dun
gcon. The geologists, following in the track Of
the astronomers, have made good some impor-
tant positions, and number among them many
eminent churchmen of unquestioned fidelity to
their ordination VOWS. 1t is now, therefore, nd-
mitted that the text is not conclusive against
physical demonstration. Is the tert conclusive
against moral induction and metaphysical inquiry
Let large man put that question, and an atctul
silence is the least for6iing dRsicer he cH recciUe
No minister of a parish, no master of u school
no father of family in England feels himself
free to pursue any train OF instruction that
seems TO conflict with familiar text or q dog.
matte formula, excepting only the subject Of tho
opening verses OF Genesis. He is either fearful
of the ground himself, or he cannot clear hi:
own path for others without opening discus
sion, which is discountenanccd on all sides and
branded with reproachful Names lie, in spite
of himself, must take refuge IN cpasions and re-
serre, and close subject Of perhaps the livelies'
interest to tho most rcverential minds, lest the
works of God should seem to be at variance with
his word. 80. This is why tho natural scicn-
ces were so long frowned upon in our grammcr-
schools and colleges, and ancient knowledge
| preferred to modern as q sounder and holicr
| lore"
The clergy of this country arc neither less
timid nor less dishonest than their English
brethren. They are afraid to discuss with any
intelligent man the dogma which lies at the
foundation of their theological systems. To
listen to their fulminations against Comeout-
erism,' (thc name reproachfully affixed to the
genuine Professionalism of the present day,) you
would naturally infer, and tho great mass o.
their uniformed hearers do infer, that they en-
tertain q well settled belief in the plenary inspi
ration of the Scriptures. In fact, however, the,
believe no such thing. Their minds arc perplcx'
to their congregations and hence they dogma
tie and denounce where they are conscious o
their inability to reason. They must eventual
lly be comnelled to meet tho
y spirit, or forfeit their influence over intelli-
gent minds.