New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-09-16

10 general concession. designed 10 reform our lives
and improve our hearts. Tne benefits OF religion
might be wholly present, or in principal sense
thew might be future: the necessity OF II Is sun
the same. and is insisted upon by all parties.
II becomes then a great deslderatum 70 ascer-
tsn m, most efIectual and safe mes of securing
reformation. As this is in fact the prof. ssed u-
innate end Of all religions, they must have seen
devised and perpetuated with this in view, how
ever diversified were the cherished Opinions IN re-
gard to virtue. or the mode OF attaining meetnese
foI heaven. They are therefore ne;essitatcI 10
embody in themselves the true principle OF re-
form. or that which is supposed to be the most
eff acious. go
Net stopping to indicate some Of the nicer dis
ordinations OF dlfering systems OF moral science,
the more prominent motives o personal amend
mept NAV be properly reduced 10 the two pnaci-
MES of Fear and Love. liz is indeed sometimes
said that, in sense Independently OF consider
atoms growing out Of these principles men ought
10 be yrtuous for ( he sake OF virtue Alone But
as lust or plausible as this sentiment may appear,
il i. still difficult TO explain how men, constituted
as they are, can be permanently influenced IN thc
direction of virtue from motives essentially DIS
connected from the advantages or Disadvantages
which NAV follow their action; so that We are
we apprshend, fully justified in failing back upon
the principles before designated, as putting IN
motion the whole moral machinery OF reiormaloa'
IL no extensive TectdIOu 10 tlrNp'Ca
that while the general prevailing forms OF religion
have differed widely in doctrine, they have been
singularly harmonious IN spirit. Various a. may
have been the speculative views entertained oil
God or Jesus the present state or the future, tue
ptipciple employed TO supeTlnduce correct OF ue-
sired action on the part OF their yotarles, mas oeen
in all cases essentially the same. Ana IL i no
more than lust to observe, that this IS true, as
general remark, not only in respect to relgions
"a HIGH have prevailed since, but It is true IN regaru
70 those which prevailed before the birth OF Jesus
II ia NOT ONLY true of Judaism superseded Dy the
GOSPEL but Of a Christianity which mas "eu-h'gh
superseded the Gospel, and OF heathenlsm 10 COM
mon. .tt .;..J
ancient and modern. Christian and Pagan beliefs,
is that OF Fear. We know not whether IL 10 pos
sible 10 Indicate with Justice any peculiar predom-
nance in ts manifestation. The notorious lnstru-
mentality of cruelty, debasement and w0 ~ hea-
then lands, there were found the same legitimate
and corresponding traits in Christian countries,
were the some dislnteTested candor To make quo
and honest confession. Ii springs from common
source for IN the one case and the other, 1t IS
based upon the character of a false or OF ms
spprebended God. 1t makes a common appeal TO
the haseness in man. and brutalizes, while 1t at
tempts 10 beatty him. Il directs hls energies IN
either case 10 The same end-the preparation OF
divine anger, atonement for sin, and the purchase
of Paradise. 80
n TINS principle ur der the administration OF the
various r, liglous distinguished by #, has sadly
failed in the great work OF reform, it was not Tor
the want Of power That 10 has predOmnated
and triumphed none can deny. That It mas been
successiui in an, degree commensurate With the
extent of its influence. only the madness oi lanai
icism can pretend. ldolatry eIhoits it in lts
naked strength Chiistianism in ITS borrowed
GLORY IL has poweT-pOwer among lts native
eods of stocks and stones power around the
sltars Of civilized worship. And II 1t we're ON
petsnt under any circumstances, 70 render t'eli
useful to the extent OF It's pTerensions, the genlal-
ites Of the Gospel had long since developed That
capacity But its practical resure still depi0r-
able-the moral Il ItyIeids Is barren OF beauty.
II IL u not enough that We are guided To such
conclusion by the lessons OF history and tile m
vestieatons of reason, ne have only 10 point TO
the improved spirit which seems 30 have found ITS
efirctual way INTO h. arts before accustomed To a
different sovereignty. 1t is thing not unusual
TO the eve Of common observation, % see men,
every principle OF whose religion Is instructive
with tear, virtually dIsayOw that religion. IN
the relations and duties of a growing PhllenthTO-
py, IN the multorm mantle tatlOns OF an intrusive
but inepTessbie lose.
IL NAV be regarded as not little remarkable
that the of this should nave out
grown IN any respect, the religion OF their fathers.
That there has been any decided Improve ment IN
dOctTinsl platforms, We cam Ot assert. That sig
nal advances have been made IN the administration
o. moral and spiritual miluen rs, cannot be quss-
TONED Formerly the fear of bell was sufficient tor
al the practical purposes OF Christian reform and
progress. TO day the Exhibition anu enforcement Of
u0tNes derived from this source, are My COR
EDed TO conservative pulp Is and the Amencap
Tract Society. So far rs We are aware, no cree DIS
have heen changed, no cCdlcIis OF concession have
been annexed 10 them. They, "a before, are sat
ursied with the rear that hath torment. But 10 -
that n qusghIp and fPnt hppnF lntrtf
has infused tself into the very heart Of Cnrst-
ian kndeavOr Who will say &c is not q ghty
spirit, when it constants the subseryience of men
10 wsose creeds Il IS allen, to whose religion it 10
an enemy
SuTsly it were unreasonable to suppose that
thst sririt, in these latter DAYS was born Of re-
lgons Older in essence than the Egyp ian MOoch.
IL CONS tb not by such tarGy and unnatural gen.
Grafton. Ii j. of God and was most sgnally
manifested on earth, when God was in Christ
TecOBciha9 the world TO lInself' IL is the spir [
OF the Gospel, of divine and universal love; and
We ark those men who SO ambitious 10 show
lts mleht.less In moral emelIG-a non, while they
Yet hold or to faiths which repudiate il. TO pluck
the hm fEsm their eyes, and &c logger attribute
10 Bee!1ebab the power that casts out devils
We lsy nc claim 10 their thunder; but we ask
them TO CONFESS the appropriation Of the electric
IRE by which souls are warmed aud won
II 1t is with the heart that Man Lelieyeth I'm 20
suttOueItes3 those TcIOTineTs must be the most
successful whose faith discloses and ENCOURAGES
tie work Of love. IL is sad, this tacit quarrel be.
tween sectaTlGa opinions and philanshropic im-
pulse. One CT the other must eventually sue
cu.ab. Undoubtedly the latter will triumph.
Blu; this, IN earlier instances, has not apparently
proved certain. Washing was suf-
Tered to die, because it was too palpsble re-
huse OF orthodox assumption and impotence.
but orthodoxy IoE furnishes too many uncOn-
Stlous allies 10 reFLeT gucn res Ia
alarming. R'ioms every day become less liable
TO such ecceslastIca! violence. Every day indi-
Gates that they will soon attain q position Of
saiet, and, If need be, ef defiance.
Unlike most other religions, Uniyersalism has
DO quaifei NTH ltself-nO accusations and deni-
ais banded to and fro between the head and
heat. BenRnant in theory AMI tendency. faith
Al ITS truths ever suggestive of faith In good for
Man. lr II broader than all our wants-m,ghti.r
than our sOTrows and our SINS Based in initiate