The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1859-02-18
FroIn Last MeeL's Iadependea.
- n FFOIH tust " feh I"uePefHe'F.
Henry Ward Beeeher ON Infidel Gret.
fnes and Chrfsttan Returns


fngs and Christian Returns.
At recent meeting in Cincinnatito cele-
brate the birth day of Tom Paine, the fol-
lowing toast was offered, which we had not
seen till it appeared in the columns of the
n. Y. Times:
"At the recent celebration of Tom Paines
birth day at Cincinnati, the infdels toasted,
The Hereto Clergy, Parker, Emerson, Con-
way, Chaplin, Btechef, and all who love men
above all creeds, and sects, and rituals, and
observance; who regard man as the highest,
and hottest, and most sacred of all in the
universe-may their motto be ever onward,
greater freedom, and clearer light.
We have felt some hesitation in appro-
priating the family designation to ourselves
There is venerable man, DR.. Lyman
Beecher, vino always "loved man above
creeds, and sects, and rituals, and observ-
ances,' and who endeavored for more than
half century to employ creeds, sects,
rituals, and observances for the promotion
of the good of all men. 1t may be him
that is meant Or, these gentlemen might
have had in mind another one of the same
name, who has, for the sake of mankind
put Samson quite into the background
For this sacred Hercules carried OFF the
gates of GAIA, and escaped from his enc
mics. But DR.. Edward Beecher has gone
far Iback ..of GAIA, ito the gates ssof Time,
and Unattached unhinged, aud walked off
with the doors of the world on his shoulders,
so that men can walk back and forward
between pre-eXistent world and this one,
as one would walk from chamber to parlor,
or from parlor to boudoir He too, is just
the man described, as one who prefers men
to creeds, sects &C., and has long endeavor-
! ed to serve men by means of them.
Then there are several others of this tami-
| ly name of precisely the same disposition
| We have called ne family synod, and yet
we venture TO say that every one of that
name not only, but of every name that calls
upon our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,
love man above creeds, sects, ne, when
! they are in their most truly Christian dis
! positions. 4.-....
Nor do We exceptto the expression which
makes man to be the highest and hottest,
and most sacred of all in the universe; u it
| our in6del friends meant man as now rep
resented by Christ, who became man that
he might lift men up to God. For it is
written, "God also hath highly exalted
him, and given him name which is above
| every name; that at the name of Jesus
| every knee should bow, of things in heaven,
and things in earth, and things under the
earth and that every tongue should con-
fess that Jesus Christ is Lord; to the glory
/ of God the Father"
/ We trust that it was with this passage in
! their eye that our well-wishers in Cincin-
natl only fguratively put man the highest
! of all beings. We accept also their motto ::
"Ever onward, greater freedom and clearer
/ light" Nothing can be more eminently
and thoroughly Scriptural. ..t
/ u EUer onaodrd ,. This is one thing do,
i forgetting those things which are behind,
and reaching forth unto those things which
are before, press toward the mark for the
prize of the high calling of God in Christ
Jesus" Phil. iii. l3, Ia.
! 1" Greater freedom" IT the Son there
fore shall make you free, We shall be free
indeed John viii. 30. 9 But Jerusalem
which is above is Free, which is the mother
of us all. Stand fast, therefore in the Lib
erty -wherewith Christ hath made us Free >
Gal. IL. 26, v. /.
Clearer, light" g For God who COM
manded the light to shine out of darkness
hath shined in our hearts to give the
light of the glory of God in the face
OF Jesus Christ y Cor. w. g. Now
we see through a glass darkly, but then face
to face" Cor. xiii. IL For we are trav-
cling toward city from which dimness and
darkness have fed away for ever. - And
there shall be no light there, and they need
: no candle, neither light of the sun, for the
Lord God giveth the light and they shall
reign for ever and ever" Rev xii s.
Let no man think that we despise the
sympathy and well wishing of a convention
of Inidels We thank them for their kin(
feelings. Like our Master, we had rather
} discourse with pubicans and sinners thai
dine with the most select and eminent Phar
; isees. But we IoOe a true Christian bette.
than either. But, Infdel or Pharisee, Il
need the grace OF God and all by repent
: ance of sin and faith in Christ, the Savior o
: sinners, may yet meet in heaven
} Gentlemen of the Cincinnati Convention
of Infidels we should be ashamed to b.
} less kind and courteous than you have been
: and, in concluding, we take leave of y0l
kindly, saying, in the words of Inspire,
: Writ:
."Now may the God of peace, tina
! brought again from the dead our Lard Jesus
: that great Shepherd of the Sheen through
the blood of the Everlasting Covenant, maxi
A you perfect in every good work to do hi
Will, working in you that which is wei
pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ
To whom be glory for ever and ever" Hell
S xiii. 20, n.
e A CHAYcE POR PRTNTER TO MARRY j..