Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1859-02-04
syoI. v NO q ELLSWORTH FEBRUARY 1859

creed. And, if We see men of hereti-
cal turn of mind practiciug gospel vir
tues and charities, we shall certainly en-
courage and help them. For men do
NOS derive the right to do good from the
Thirty-nine Articles; nor need they go
to the Westminster Confession for liberty
to recover the incorporate, set free the
bond. feed the hungry, clothe the naked.
educate the ignorant, and give sleigh
rides TO beggars' children that never be-
fore laughed and cuddled in buffalo
robe 1t seems TO US great deal better
business for q Christian man to encourage
men 10 well-doing than to punish them
tor wrong-thinking
But the Examiner thinks that the sue
cess Of this course Of lectures will reflect
ceriain lusire upon the Twenty-eighth
Congregational Society, and upon the
man whose infdelity is its prevailing
spirit Well. what then Are we to
punish an ia6del for his infidelity by re-
iusing him all credit for personal good
~. for active benevolence, for practical
humanity !!
slfany body does right he ought to be
applauded. If Mr.. Parker does we'll. he
deserves the credit for well-doing. If
the young men ofhis charge do vel, l,they
deserve all the 'lustre' Of it. Or shall
we take ground that no man who is not
of sound 0, thodox faith is to have any
.lustre' for practical virtues Must no.
body be counted ethicalfy right until he
is theologically sound +: Such doctrine
waIfd be monstrous! Every just and
generous man in the community ought
to xeioice in the good conduct Of every
man, without regard to his speculative
views or theol ogical affinities
If "a man institutes temperance move
ment, must refuse to help him because,
being Universaist minister, his zeal
anaRieli.y in that cause would 'refiect
a k.stre,. Spea him and his seats If q
man woui6rcstablish aud endow a hospi-
tai, mrst refuse to ce-work with him
because, being a Unitarian. its success
would reject certain luster upon that
faith
When, in the pestileoce in New Or
leans. the Sisters Of Charity did not count
their lives dear to them. but night and
dsy. fearless of death and defiant Of ia.
tiyue. gave their utmost being to the care
of the miserable sick. must La Protestant
refuse admiration or fellowship for fear
a certain luster' would shine Upon the
r, man Catholic Chnrch
lfaJew does nobly he deserves the
luster which risht-doing ought to confer;
il an atheist or an inAdel live virtuous-
" and acts honorably he should have
the .lustre' belongin, to virtue and hon :
or!
Does the Examiner think that we do
not care foi our own theologic views p
We car, 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 oi
the old disciple nature left to feel very
desirous that folks who will cast out de-
wills. should do it in our train. Ii they
won't,-why. then, we will help them
to do in their way! But, five were to
help an Episcopal movement for general
benevolence. would any man say that we
endorsed High.church notions: 1t we
we're affectionately and urgently invited
to Princeton, to examine the senior class
in theology. ard give them some tender
cautions 90 parting from Turretain and
catering the life Of realities, would any
body be so cruel as to say that we be-
lieved in high Calvinism.or were indlffer-
ent to all woes of conscience 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 affectionately appeal
to the Examiner whether. on such an
interesting occurrence, he would think it
his duty to pierce us with such remarks
as are now puncturing our peace from
his words !
had gone to Boston to buy car
pets or books;or if had gone to Boston
to help the Republican cause, no. qnes-
ton would have been raised. In selfish
and worldly interests men are allowed
cooperation for common ends. But ii
I divest myself Of all selfish or secular
aims, and rise to higher plane Of bene-
Violence, and seek to raise the fallen. to
restore the lost, to purify the vicious, to
elevate the ignorant. and to cheer the
poor and neglected. Christian ministers
and editors will not let me cooperate for
such divine objects with every man who
will sincerely work for them; but l must
pick for men of right philosophy. for men
right in all theology Thus we allow
selfi.hness to 20 with flowing robes and
a loose girdle. We make her feet light,
and her hands nimble. But upon relig-
ion we put iron shoes and steel gloves.
We burden her with mail. and under
meath it all we draw the girt Of conscience
to the last hole. Then she goes forth,
scarcely able to walk or to breathe!
have long ago been convinced that it
was better to love men then to hate them;
that one would be more likely to convince
them Of wrong belief by showing cor
dial sympathy with their welfare. than
by nipping them with logic. And al
though l do not disdain, but honor phil
osophy applied 70 religion. ! think that
the world just now needs the Christian
heart more than anything else. And.
even ifthe only greatest question were
the propagation Of right theology. ! am
.cnGdart that viOhk an1culative views