New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1860-01-31
-. 81. w. n. 500 ~. lssllgse,.s Irssslo q.

REV. DR.. W. 4. seest d. Religious Freedom.
We notice, BIZ the California papers, that one Of
the exciting issues at present beoFc the people OF
san Francisco is he reading of the Bible in the
public schools. The majority of tho population ct
san Francisco are Northern men, and welded, Of
course, to the paritancal notions received WITH
tlseir early education. These favor The compulsory
reading Of the Protestant Scriptures in the schools
ana arc also asking for lasg compelling tle o.
seryanee Ut Sunday as q religious day ct rest.
Dr. Seett formerly d this city, who now Is pastor
III Calvary Church the largest, ati, perhaps
weaifiliest Protestant CATION on the PACING
coast, has zealousy taken ground against both
tAeso measures. NE advocates strict religious
equality and freedom, and thinks there should be
perfect and eternal separation of Church and State
Dr scott says all that true Christians should ask
for is . free field they need assistance from
tlle government, and should accept none. He,
therefore, Is opposed to all laws making lscrimi-
nation against the Catholics, by forcing the Pro-
testant Bible in tho schools OF against the Jews or
Turks, by compelling the observance of Sunday as
the Sabbath. On Thanksgiving Day he delivered
\ sermon on these topics, (which, lie states, IL
nearly counterpart of an address he once de-
livered in this city1 and which we find replete
with sound sense and genuine piety. Not having
room for the whole sermon, we content ourselves
with brief extract, exhibiting the spirit Of the
entire discourse. We particularly commend the
concluding sentences to the attention of the polit
co-parsons Of the North Said the learned divine:
After most, perhaps all the different sects and
denominations have protested against any union OF
Church and State, and proclaimed their freedom
omit still we find them all more less following
tn
rival each other in their lodgings for the l0aves
and fishes Of the Government storehouses. They
have petitioned for laws that were favorable TO
their customs or principles, and sought to have
moneys appropriated ts schools and other insttn-
tufiUns in which their books Hsei- rites and Their
religion is or less recognized, and Of course,
TO this extent preferred and patronized By the GoE
eminent lido not now stop to inquire into the abb
stract constitutional right OF such things. have
only time now to refer to such facts paipable
contradiction of our American protest; and to say
the least if not absolutely unconstitutional, as
firmly be ieFe, such measures are inexpedient and
dangerous. For if the Government has tha power
to favor Christianity thas just as much power to
favor any sect OF Christianity, and in point of
fact has in California given perfect monopoly to
one of the smallest denomna tons MS to painces,
and has justas much power to favor Mahommedan-
ISM as Christianity itself. For in case, under
| government like ours, has the State any power
but by an accidental numerical majority. And if,
by such an accidental numerical majority, the
Legislature is made to compel The reading of the
Bible and the observance Of the Lords Day as d
religious day, then it may next year, by the very
same power, forbid the reading Of the Bible and
prohibit keeping of the Lords Day. We prefer
that Cesar should just let these things alone.
The authority of God and of His blessed Word
and of an enlightened conscience, are all we can
use for enforcing religious truth. The appeal to
the secular arm is exceedingly dangerous. If
Cesar has the constitutional power to aid to-day
he may have the same power to Cypress us to- NOR
row. 1t is a two-edged sword that the Church of
Christ does not need, and should not touch. And,
| III our humble judgment, in all cases where the
ecclesiastical bodies of country and ministers,
such, have interfered with or sought to control
the politics and the partisan issues of the day. and
| have thus sought to compronit the freedom.
purity and spirituality of Christ's kingdom they
have done what Christ never called them to do.