Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1855-06-09
The Age we 1--we in, and its Religion.

The Age we 1--we in, and its Religion.
An age of progress. without the coun-
serva,ling influences Of right reason and
morality, must necessarily prove to be an
age Of gross error and absurdity. 1t is the
harvest time OF the blgot and fanatic, Of the
designing and immoral. tits favorable to
demagoguism and kindred wees; places
many a man upon the pinnacle of power
fills our halls Of legislation, and elevateS
men TO high judicial stations, whose only
virtues are ignorance, efirontery, and sell
complaeency. 1t gives rise to sectarianlsm
in communities, and causes social discord
ard family apimosities 10 ensue. 1t makes
a Pope out Of our own minister, and then
starts the cry against papal power and iu-
fluence. It causes men, heated in the race
Of political controversy, or the polemics OF
religion, to mistake their own iuclinatlons
Tor the will of God, thus making themsel-
YES the standard Of excellence in all mat
tiers political, social and religious. 1t i'm
pels men to make demands for prescription
aud intolerance in their own favor, while
they condemn, with vehemence, these
things in others. 1t is season favorable
to the organization Of clubs and secret po-
liticsl associations, for the purpose Of car
rying out the nefarious designs of unprin-
cipled leaders, by grossly and dishonesty
imposing upon the crednlity of the igno-
rant, and warpine them to their own pur-
poses. In tine, it is the great gala-day Of
isms, ologies, ct cel.-the devils own hay
maxi ing time.
Such would seem 10 be the age in which
we live. For when was there so much
misguided zeal-zeal without knowledge !;
when SO great fanaticism? In what peri
cd did demagoguism ride rough shod into
power and batten SO freely on the spoils
In what age did the priestcraft of Protest
antism SO earnestly strive for power in
matters secular. as well as religious. nd.in
every breath .denouncing all but their own,
howl analhemas against the Church Of
Rome, which, since its existence in this
Republic, has been the most tolerant Of
Churches ond lis members among the mos,
patriotic Of our citizens? In what age were
secret political associations established,
more jesuitical in their secresy. more cor
rupting in their tendency more destructive
to republican institutions, than the one just
broken and dissolved by invinclble, though
DER tardy justice
But the end is not yet. The age is one
of religion without morality. The most
terrible results may yet follow. 1t is rell-
gion without morality that now wages
direful eastern war. 1t is such religion
that threatens TO usurp the reins OF our
government, with license for law, and
anarchy for sceptre. II is that religion,
or irreliglon. which would dare lay its i'm
pious hand upon the Federal Constitution,
committed to us by our fathers, that palla-
dunn Of our safety and bond of peace, and
in the light Of a higher lac, reduce 1t to
shreds and talters, amid curses aud drnun-
Citations most bitter.
II is that religion which arrays sect a.
Qainst sect for righteousness sake, and in
members Of different churches one
against the other for conscience sake
What may we not expect where such
religion has sufficient power to WELD the
destinies OF a patton? 1t is folly, it is mad
ness for Professionalism to cry out SO loudly
against old Rome, wh,le she herself is
PLAYING the harlot in the face Of lieaven.-
Naught would Professionalism have to fear
from any enemy from without, il unitedin
christian bonds. But so divided, befooled,
besotted led astray BY misguided zealots'
men eager for the commentator OF the
God Of this world. rather than Him OF the
eternal world, what has she not 10 fear p
Not the Church of Rome merely, but
countless enemies from within. II is the
cancer gnawing at her very vitals she has
most 10 fear, and not Rome prolestantized
by republican Notwithstanding and
by bayonets, at home.
Purge Professionalism Of the pharisaical
pride Of many Of her churches; Of the cold
Of others; of that leprosy-re-
lipion without morality-too common to
ali, then may she bid defiance to the world
in arms and save this nation, without cry
ing down PapAcy, and without the extra
neous aid Of political secresy and intidelity.
Demonstration at BartcIbrOox.
The gallant and unlinching Dvmoera-
c Of Bartrrbrook and vicinity, had most
;orouc t;nae la>f Thursday night in honor