The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1859-02-10


/" luster" which right-doing ought to
confer if an Atheist or an Intidel live
virtuously and act honorably, he should
have the " luster" belonging to virtue
and honor! .aoii8i' 7tA 'ft.
Does The Examiner think that we do
not care for our own theologic views p
We care a good DEAL We shall yield
them to no mans dictation. We shall
not endorse any mans. theology which
differs from them. We have enough OF
the old disciple nature left to feel very
desirous that folks who will cast out dew
lis, should do it in our train. If they
won't,-why, then, we will help them to
do it in their way? But, if we were to
help an Episcopal movement for gener-
al benevolence, would any man say that
we endorsed high church notions? II
we were affectionatcly and urgently in
vited to Princeton, to examine the senior
class in theology and give them some
tender cautions on parting from Turretin
and entering the life of realities, would
anybody be so cruel as to say that we
believe in high Calvinism, or were indif-
ferent to all woes Of concience produced
by that energetic system !? Bishop
Hughes will never invite us to speak in
his new cathedral and we not promptly
accept it. But we appeal to The Exam
iner whether, on such an interesting oc-
curence, he would think it his duty to
pierce us with such remarks as are now
puncturing our peace from his words
II | had gone to Boston to buy carpets
or books or if had gone to Boston to
help the Republican cause, no question
would have been raised. In selfish and
worldly interests men are allowed pop
Grafton for common ends. But il d.
vest myself of all selfish or secular aims,
and rise to higher plane of benevolence,
and seek TO raise the fallen, to restore the
lost, to purify the vicious, to elevate the
ignorant, and to cheer the poor and ne
elected, Christian ministers and editors
will not let me cooperate for such divine
objects with every man who will sincere
ly work for them ; but | must pick for
men of right philosophy, for men right
in all theology Thus we allow selfish
ness to go with flowing robes and loose
girdle. We make her feet light and her
hands nimble. But upon religion we
put iron shoes and steel gloves. We
burden her with mail. and underneath it
all we draw the girt of conscience to the
last hole. Then she goes slowly forth,
scarcely able to walk or to breathe
| have long ago been convinced that it
was better to love men than to hate them !;
that one would be more likely to con-
vince them Of wrong belief by showing a
cordial sympathy for their welfare, than
by nipping and pinching them with logic.
And although l do not disdain, but hon
or philosophy applied to religion, think
that the world just now needs the Chris
tian heart more than anything else. And,
even if the only and greatest question
were the propagation of right theology.
am confident that right speculative views
will grow up faster and 6rmer in the
summer of true Christian loving, than
in the rigorous winter of solid, con sealed
orthodoxy, or the clustering March of
controversy. Does anybody inquire why,
If SO thinking, We occasionally give such
sharp articles upon the great religious
newspapers, the Observer, the Intelli-
gencer, and the like Oh pray do not
think it for any ill-will. 1t is all kind
ness /! We only do it to keep our voice
in practice. We have made orthodoxy
study. And by an attentive examina-
tion of the Presbyterian, the Observer,
the Puritan Recorder, and such like un-
blemished confessors, we have perceived
that no man is truly sound who does not
pitch into somebody that is not sound !;
and that real modern orthodox man,
like nervous watch dog, must sit on the
door-stone of his system and bark inces-
sanity at everything that comes in sight
along the highway. And when there is
nothing to bark at, either he must growl
and knaw his reserved bones, or bark at
the moon to keep up the sonorousness of
his voice. And SO, for fear the sweet
ness OF our temper may lead men to think
that we have no theologic zeal, we lift up
an objurgation now and then--as much
as to say, Here we are, fierce and or
thodox-ready to growl when we cannot
bite"
But the Examiner says: "The pastor
of the Plymouth church in BROOKLYN has
appeared upon Mr.. Parker's platform, to
lend it his popularity" neither bor-
rowed nor lent. / went before an audi
ence in the fremont Temple, the place
for the chief part Of public lectures, to
give my own ideas, and to exert whatever
power had by my thoughts and by my
feelings upon such audience as pleased
to come. If they were good men. they
needed me less; if they were bad, they
needed me more. But either way, was
responsible for my own testimony, and
for nothing more and this was not lent
to Mr.. Parker, but to the audience. Yet,
whenever Theodore Parker does what is
right and noble, if it were possible for me
to lend him anything. would do it glad
", | have nothing to lend. however, but
good VIII, and that never lend, but give
free as Gods air! .9 +. .-3.4 i
But. it viii be asked, will the public
understand your position. and. however
you may design it, will not the impress
sion so abroad either that you sympa-
thize with infidel views ar ara indiifarant