Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856, 1856-04-03
CHURCH Ind STATE.

Ii IS cur louS enu instructive inquiry 10
move an eye alohg the history OF empires, and
see with what uniformity in all ages, in all
countries, and under every form OF religion, it
has been the practice 10 make its regulation
an affair OF the civil government The Pa
gans, The Jews, the Christians, and the Ma
hommedans, have all alike submitted 10 learn
the ir pathway 10 Heaven, through the rulers
Of the State. Religious federation is OF modern
date, and owes its existence 10 progre ssive
knowledge of the true spirit of the religion
taught by our Savior. He addressed the un-
dersianding, the faith, and the heart. He did
not commission the power of the Slate TO dis
franchise, imprisop, mutilaie, or burn, those
part OF The temporal authorities, Rsgtant
usuipptlon OF that power which belongs 10
God alone.
Since the advent OF our Savior, there has
been no parsonage, either human or divine,
whose belief, prayers, or death, could save any
sou but bis own. II there be any one great
truth clearer than another, it is this; that
each human being must abide the conSe uen.
ces OF his own religious-fai, or conduct in
life. This truth lies al the foundation Of re-
ligious freedom. Where an individual must
stand or fall upon his own merits or dement's,
ing an following his own course.
| There is no right 80 essential and SO sacred
20 man as that Of religious freedom. II IS be.
cause every professor Of every creed feels and
recognizes the value Of this right, that reIi-
pious prosecutions and wars have always been
so bitter and so bloody. 1t is for the same
reason that we see martyrs marching 10 the
stake, the Scaffod, and the gullloline, with
the courage and 6rmness Of beroes, and with
the radiant smile OF hope beaming on thea
couu,enances They believe that the portals
tof Heaven are open to their admission, that the
bright angels stand ready 10 .ear their spir.is
10 the bosom Of heir god. What an example
did Christ hinlSel', The greatest Of oil martyrs
bequeath, in his sublime death, to the world
How striking and how just is The remark tina
.'Socrales died like Philosopher, but Jesu
| Christ died like Coz. ="
In the most bigoed and benighed ages, Their
have been men Of hrmness aud faith, raise'
up by the Creator, to bear witness 10 the trntl
OF religious freedom, by their gorious death
in resisting the despoiism Of State religion
What authority has one man TO force bis be
lief upon others Have they not the SAM
right 10 force their btliel upon Tim :? II |,
Protestant, 20 to lay neighbor, Catholic, an
say to him, "You are on the road 10 He'll
YOU must renounce your relIriop, abando
your church and disclaim The supremacy of III
Pope"-how would he answri me by tell
ing me TO mini my own business, or 10 at;en
to my own soul. by pursuing the course o
S contluctto the Protestant huIch that
J had recommended 10 him.
/ The Ame erican people and ths world owe
i the fathers Of Jur Republic. debt OF graii
G tude for That immortal guarantee OF ibe right
e in these words Of the Constitution "COngreS
n shall make NJ law respecting The esiob>h
/ meni Of any religion, or prohibiting the frc
i use thereof" nor can any religious test lie re
| uuired as a qualification for 1filce. here, a
t least, we find the true principles oi govern
y ment. relative TO religion, Fixed on fitm ba
+ sis. We believe II is unexampled ln'ihe al
J.; nails OF nations. S'me EUROPEAN governlnenls
b il is true, "tolerate' certain G'sen'lve creedS
e bu; in the very act Of doing so, they declar
/, the power TO control them.
Is There are a few mischevous agitat"rs VII
would il they could, prsciica lly deny or abrdg
e the right OF religious freedom altogether; tl
II their numbers are small, and their influence
,t less than none al all; scurrllous abuse an
e malicious falsehOod do no harm 10 goo
le cause. They only recoil on the heads Of tho'
is who propagate them, and strengthen The sid
ID that is assailed. 1t has been beautifully an
al truly said, that "error Of op nionmay be safe
ii vh.o iS left fTfe n cOmb