Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1855-04-03

THE DEMOCRACY OF CHRIS
TIANITY.


TIANITY.
In civil and political sense, we can.
not discover that the Church regards
Christianity in any other light than that
Of a curb, bit, q restraint, a means by
which the people may be kept in order
and in submission 10 their masters. The
clergy, under this point of view, are
sort Of constabulary force at the service
Of the police, and meeting. g.houses sub.
stitute for police Offices, houses of cor
rection, and penitentiaries. Far be it
from US to deny the great worth OF Chris.
tianity in this respect.
We acknowledge the virtues of the
Church, as an agent Of the police; but
we hope we may be allowed to believe
that Christianity requires the Church to
possess other and far higher virtues. 1t
should no, merely keep the people in
subiection to an order OF things which is,
but fire them with the spirit and the en-.
ergy to create a social order, to which
II shall need no constabulary force,
lay or clerical, to make the millions
submissive.
But If the Church, beth here and in
Europe, does not desert the cause Of Ab.
sol,ltism, and make common cause with
the people its doom is sealed. Its union
with the cause Of Liberty is the only
thing which can save it. The party Of
the people, the Democracy throughout
the civilized wotld, is every day increas.
ing in numbers and in power. 1t is al.
ready too strong to be defeated. Popes
may issue their bulls against it; bishops
may denounce it; priests may slander
its apostles, and appeal to tho supersti.
ton Of the multitude; kings and nobil.
tiles may collect their forces and bfibc
or dragoon, but in vain; IT is roo LATE.
Democracy has become power, and
sweeps on resistless as ore Of the great
agents Of Nature. Absolute monsrchs
must be swept away before it. They
will fail in their attempt to arrest tho
progress Of the people, and to roll back
the tide OF civilization. They will be
prostrated in the dust, and rise no more
forever. Whoever or whatever leagues
with them mus, take their fate. II the
Altar be supported on the Throne, and
the Church joined to the Palace, both
must fall together. Would the Church
could see this in time to avert the sad
catastrophe! 1t is q melancholy thing
to reflect on the ruin OF that majestic
temple which has stood SC long, ovel
which so many ages have passed, or
which so many storms have beaten, and
in which so many human hearts have
found shelter, solace and heaven. 1t il
melancholy to reflect on tho condition
of the people deprived Of all forms @
worship, and with no al.al on which tc
offer the hearts incense to God the Faith
ef. Yet assuredly characters, altafless
mith no form or shadow Of worship will
the people be, if the Church continue.
its league with absolutism. The peopl,
have sworn deep in their hearts, tina
Ahey will be free. They pursue freedom
as q Divinity, and freedom they will
havc-with the Church il it may be
without the Church if it must he. Goo
grant that they who profess to be his es
pecial servants may be cured Of thei
madness in season to save the Altar!
The people almost universally identify
Christianity with the Church. The,
cannot reject the Church without seem
ing to themselves to be rejecting Chris
tianity, and therefore not without regard
ing themselves as infdels. Will th
clergy consent to drive the people int
infdelty? Can they not discern ,h
signs Of the times? Will they persist il
maintaining social doctrines more alb
horrent to the awakening instincts OF tn
people than atheism itself? A people
regarding itself as infdeI, is in the wors
plight possible TO pursue the work O
social regeneration. 1t is then deprive
Of the hallowed and hallewing infuenc
and guidance Of the religious sentiment
and it can hardly fail 10 become disor
.derly in the pursuit Of order, and to fin
license instead Of liberty, and nnarch
instead Of popular government. Fo
its own sake, then, and for the sake O
liberty also, the Church should breal
its league with the despots and Join viii
the people, and give them its purifyin
and ennobling influence.
The Church must do this or die. AL
ready it is losing its hold on the heart
Of the people. Every where is ther
complaint Of mems want of interest il
religion; everywhere is there need g
most extraordinary efforts, and variou
and powerful machinery, to bring peo
pie into the Church, and few are brough
in, save women and children. The pul
pit has ceased TO be power. it no lon
ger charms or kindles. 1t finds no ech
ia the universal heart. Sermons ar
thought to be dull and vapid, and whel
they call forth applause it is the preach
ler that wins it, not the cause he pleads
Are we at loss to account for this?-
The old doctrines, the old maxims, tn
old exhortations, the old topics of dis
cussion. which the clergy Judge it thei
duty to reproduce, aie not those whic
now most interest the people. Tn
dominant sentiment Of the people il no
what it was. Once it was thought tha
4be earth was smitten with q curse from
God. and happiness was no moro to b.
looked for on it and from it. Then al
thoughts turned to another world, ant
the chief enquiry was. how TO secure il
To sava the soul from hall hero.fta. ,,,