The Democratic sentinel and Harrison County farmer. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1851-1852, 1852-11-24

our religious nature. render u.s." Page n
-'''fhe moral nature OF man must Hecessa-
rily be in perfect harmony with the moia
government Of God" Page Is.
Who can reconcile these? How can thai
D., which harmonizes with he moral goyern
ment Of God, render us sinful and misera-
bic? Does not sin consist in non-comfor.
nifty to The will and government of God =
Again, he says that Phrenolegy harmonizes
with the moral nature Of man; and as this
f neral nature renders us sinful and misera-
bic, will not Phrenology render us sinful
Y land miserable also? Where then are the
a blessed effects which be ascribes to its influ-
J, ence?
2 Diversity Of religious belief or practice
{ tIneed not, and should not exist. Sectarian-
ism has no excuse. 1t IS most pernicious; for
errors ofpractce grow It OF error Of belief" Z"
t p. IL. "But light is breaking in upon the
darkness of all past ages. Ho, We who
would return from yOar wanderings, and be
delivered from your thraldoms and your
errors, follow the beacon light of truth hoist
ed By Phrenology. twill clear up all diff
icLlties 1t will solve all moral problems :"
Page %.
i Fowler suppoSes then that his science is
an eifectual Gntidote to sectarianism-a
moral panaeea for the maladies of the soul
"a perfect guide for the intellect. This
claim is worthy of a passing notice, particu-
i ilarly as it makes Phrenolegy more efficient
than the gospel in harmonizing the minds of
men. | infer from the foregoing extract,
t1,nt dol ,f
isit!v of belief with regard to religious princi-
lpes; and this is certainly correct. 1t relates
however to bodies rather than individuals.
i, Well how will he abolish this diversity of
belief? For instance, he promuIgates Il set
of religious (or rather rreligious) doctrines,
for which call him an intidel. We differ
toto cello upon most Of the fundamental prin-
clpes OF Christianity. He doubtless thinks
that he Is correct, and | am confident that
am. Now the question is, how will we get
rid Of this difference, and be brought to see
'eye to eye?" Will he implicitly yield to
me, or shall | TO him? am fully aware
that Fowler will never yield one jot or title,
and also that my mind must undergo a
/, great Transformation, before l shall lay a
side my ideas of religion, or consent TO d5
liver up the present foundation of my hopes
Of eternal bliss, ...
! Fowler sets himself up as an mfallble
. standard, and therefore he expects to destroy
sectarianism by inducing all men to embrace
his sentiments; and whenever he shall ac-
,complish this 'MAY l BE THERE TO sEE!''
, A proof that Phrenology is no! calculated
to destroy diversity Of religious belief is
found in the fact that Phrcnologists differ,
in this respect, from each other. Some of
them repudiate towler's religious doctrines
and totally reject tLem. One Of these is, TO
my knowledge, a Methodist preacher, and
sound in the Faith:
Sectarianism can be cye,tlrown by Phre-
no!o%y in but three ways, if at alt, viz
either oy producing a uniform perfection Of
intellect or by determining all matters of
controversy, or By inducing men to lay thea
aside AS matters OF 10 Importance. lst.. =
, Will phfcnology ever produce Il uniform
perfection Of intellect? Ii is plain that in
the investigation Of any subject. much de-
pcndS, not only upon the degree OF cvi-
dcncc, but also upon the strength and clear
ness Of the intellect by which the c5idence is
canvassed. II the evidence is deficient, or
il the mental powers arc imperfect, it will
likely give rlse to erroneous virws.
Man is now involved in the ruin of the
fall, by which he was sholn of intellectual
perfection, as well as Of moral purity. Truth
las been enyeloped in msts and cloud g., and
our mental vision has become obscured. No
man. possesses ALL or even any Of the facul-
ties in perfection. Even Daniel Webster,
(whose loss the nation has recently been
called to laourn, was liable to err, and did
indeed repeatedly err, and how small por
ton OF mankind enjoy the intellectual treas
ures of the soul, in 50 Iich profusion as did
he! Until mankind shaIlbe entirely relcas-
ed from the effects Of the fail, and elevated
into the light of purer day, by the energy OF
the atoncment. there never will be an in
stance of intellectual perfection on earlh.--
end. Can Phrenology then furnish us an in
taliltle decision upon all matters of sectaran
dispute? Take for example, Christian Bap-
tism, concerning which men differ SO wide
ly, and which is enforced by command of
the Savior himself Will chronological
analysis Of the moral powers shed and light
upon this yexed question, and show us who
aie proper subjects, and what is a proper
mode OF baptism Or will it disclose any
thing Concerning its nature OF oblisation?-
Does it follow that because we. possess a
faculty of yeneratlon, or fconscientiousneSs,
or Of benevolence, that We ought or ought
not to be baptized by immersion; or that
we should be baptized at all? Bird. Will
Phrenology induce men to lay aside secta-
rian notions as matters Of no consequence
10 continue the reference to baptism. This
is perpetual initiatory ordinance of the
christian church, and hence will be practised
to the end Of time, and while practised it
will necessarily have form and subjects,
and therefore the points Of contention will
never be laid aside as unimportant. ags z
! Mr. Fowler cannot desire more ardently
! than myself, thatthe evils of sectaranism be
done way, But whether difference of
opinion will not always exist, till time shall
be no longer, is doubtful with me. iii The
force Investigation may eventually reveal
the truth upon all religious points, and it
may not Butsone thing do expect.
Sectarian bitterness and aspcrity will event
ually cease, universal charity shall prevail,
the gospel shall at length triumph over pre-
judice, and superstition, and pernicious error,
and Jesus shall reign supreme in the affec
tions of man! And this will not be affected
L