Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1850-06-22
what is the World to Believe2

" nat H tllS w OIASA =
There are two articles on our first page,
which we wish the rejecting portion Of ouf
readers to peruse, and then inquire OF their own
minds-What is the word to believe? The
first is an article taken from the New York
Tribune, the editor of which, Mr.. Greeley, IS
known to be every thing else but addicted to
romance-he is a materidlist in every sense of
the word. 1t will be seen that he has visited
som females now in New York, from koches-
ter, who is said to be accompanied by sps its,
or invisible beings belonging TO the world be-
yond the grave. Thewonders which were pro-
duced upon his visit, appears to have been lis
tened to and looked at with calmness, and a
searching desire to detect imposition. he
hears and witnesses what his senses compeI
him.to believe, and leaves deeply puzzled and
astonished. No one will doubt the truth OF
Mr.. G.'s statement, and therefore the subject IS
a fit one for long and deep contemplation.
The other Article to which we would allude,
and it seems that here is a chance to prove
the falsity OF truth of one or both-is an extract
from a Discourse of that learned and eloquent
Divine, Mr.. Clapp, in which he contends that
there is no reason to believe, from the highest
authority known to man, that there is any such
reality as a ! place Of eternal torment after death,
for the wicked-that there is, in fact, no such
place as Hell, so universally preached by the
Protestants. Now, we may again ask, in con-
nection with this declaration, coming from a
man second to none in this country in theoio-
gical or historical learning, or an extensive az
quaintance with the languages-What is the
worM to believe? Is mankind ~eternally to be
dupes, led hither and thither by one faith or
another, stumbling in the dark on their road
to death? Without pretending to have any
knowledge whatever upon this subject, we can
say, however, that to many minds, the declare
ton of Mr.. Clapp, if believed, would have an
injurious effect. so far as the welfare of society
is CONCERNED. There are not a few whose moral
career is greatly influenced by the terrible pun
ishment promised, by our preachers, after death;
and if that fear was taken from their bosoms,
it is but reasonable to suppose that less care
would be taken of their actions or principles
If secure against Hell, they would be willing
to doubt the existence Of Heaven, and therefore
plunge into every vice 50 congenial to the
promptings of nature. And here is the great
foundation that supports the theory of Mr..
Clapp. The lessons and principles inculcated
by the scriptures, are the only pillars that &C.
ment the bonds Of society. and protect it from
rapiue, from blood, and dissolution. Admitting
this, it might be suggested, then, by those who
listen to Mr. Clapp, or read his sermons. that
the fact of eternal punishment beyond tho grave
terrible beyond human imagination twas
merely gotten up and thrown clandestinely into
the scriptures, for the better purpose Of secur-
ing one of the main pillars Of ~society-operat-
ing upon the fears Of some, for the better regu-
lation md security Of mankind.
But this i. a subject not adapted to our brain
or education, and we leave it with those whose
profession it is to elucidate and make it clear,
which, however, seems to have been very diff
cult, for the space of time comprehended in
eighteen hundred aud fifty years.
We would suggest to Mr.. Greeley, Gas he
has promised 50 make the aspirits" another
visit), to find out, if possible, the truth or falsi-
ty Of Parson Clapp's doctrine, by inquiring Of
them if there is or is not = He'll; for surely
those Of the other world can easily answer this
question correctly. -ss%~@