The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-11-13
For the National Era.
CHRISTIANITY DEFENDED.--No. On


Let us nought extenuate and nought set down
in malice That there are evils, giant, mon
strous evils, within the pale of the visible
church, is most certainly and sadly true. That
there is amongst the professors Of Christianity
far and fearful short-coming of its pure and
lofty principles is more readily admitted as it
is more sincerely deplored, by Christians than
by skeptics Especially in the matter of Ameri-
can slavery there is in the position of the
church, dereliction from duty as monstrous as
it is mournful; and the question now before us
| il, Does the existence of these evils make Chris
tianity a lie! or, as it may be stated, Is Chris
tianity failing to fulfil the design and promise
of its Founder! This is the test question for if
| Christianity is II failure, it is not from Heaven.
Christianity, embracing in its creed infinite
holiness and infinite love, propounds, as the
mission of its congrcgated believers, the Chris
tan church-the incubation of this noble creed
in the hearts of regenerated race The
church, which is but the congregation of the
disciples, has then a twofold object-the pro-
motion of the religious growth of its members
and the conversion of unbelevers
Never, even under the eloquent exhortations
of Paul or Cephas has Christianity pre-
sentcd or claimed to present to the world the
spectacle of a perfect community OF sinless men
and all too faithfully has the church fulfilled
in its dark apostacies the mournful predictions
of the Christ and his apostles. Bending to the
great law of progress and development seen
everywhere under Gods government Chris-
tianity, in subduing the soul as m converting
the world. still finds its fittest emblem the mus
tard seed of the parable The children of God,
like the children of men, advance to maturity
by n natural though often imperceptible in
crease. and large "growth in grace" lies be-
tween him whom the Bible terms q "babe IN
| Christ and him who has reached the luli
stature of Christian manhood. And here, IN the
culturing of this growth, we ind the nrst oD-
iect for which the church was organized. IL Is
the school in which the young convert may re,
ceiye training and instruction in the science o.
higher and heavenly lfe--the hospital where
the soul. enfeebled and disordered by sin, may
gain health under the remedial agencies aP
o;nted by the great Physician; and just as tho
prolonyed illness OF the patient who negects Il
nae the remedies is no proof against their eth
cacy. 40 the feeble faith and weak virtue OF thu
Christian. Who through Ignorance or inatten
ton. neglects the "means OF grace are M
valid impeachments of the sanctifying power o
Christianity
In this aspect Of the mission Of the church
the existence Of imperfcction and wrong within
ts pale is evidently no proof that it is failing II
, its design. Ii it be true that those OF its mem
. bers who to an honest profession add an earnes
practice Of the precepts Of Christianity, ar,
. made more humble or holy thereby, then tn,
f church is certainly fulfilling one grand objec
of its organization, and Christianity is in thi
respect no failure. --
The inquiry here is narrowed down 10
question OF fact, and would he properly an
swered by an appeal 10 statistics; but no cen
sus number rcgenerates souls or tells the exac
, increase Of goodness in the land. He, yevcr
4 who honestly seeks to know the truth in tn
case, may form no very uncertain Judgment q
, the efficiency Of the church by comparing it
position ON great moral and reform question
i with the position Of the masses Of unconserte'
!. men, and by noticing its influence upon TN
: character of the nations amongst whom II ex
r lists in most purity
Q Even in anti.slavery sentiment the Americsl
, church, with all its culpablc ignorance am
time-serying. il far in advance OF the mase
: that bend at the beck Of tho great politica
leaders OF the North and many IL its best min
, listers hold prominent place amidst the sternes
. and purcst friends Of human freedom. Tn
history Of civilization, and tho historical dcyel
: opment of the great principles Of humanity ant
: right are triumphant proofs Of the living ant
= divine energy OF that Christianity which, eve'
: in its darkest days, has confessedly been tn
nurse, the alma mater, Of liberty and law.
= Ii is but fair to remark that much-nay
G most--of the wrong charged against the churcl
Y of Christ should be placed to the account OF TIN
/ false and hypocritical members who, too often
gain place and power Mt its affairs.
iI-W Without palliating Cor q moment the sin
G of the church." justice requires the remarl
1 that the seemingly slow growth Of religion il
the church does not lie with more force agains
This article which should Immediately have fol
lowed No. !, published in the Era of September 4
has been delayed by the and protraeted Hines