The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1867-11-16
LIBERAL CHRISTIANITY.

FOR several months past the country Ia.
been surfoited with discussions in the col
umns Of our secular and religious press,
showing the want OF, and necessity for, a
Liberal Christianity. As eur views on this
subject have been so frequently presented at
length to cur readers, We hardly feel war
ranted in again recurring to the subject. Ia
the letter of our New York correspondent in
another column, will be found views on this
question, which we do not and cannot en-
oOrse, but which we nevertheless publish
lcheerfully, because we believe a system
which does not or cannot stand thorough
and impartial investigation, must be hollow
indeed. While We cheerfully conce6s thai
a number OF our So called ministers of the
gospel are little els, than political clackers,
ne fail to see tre argument presented there
by against an " ietiLed Christianity. The
fact that a counterfeit note has been pre-
scented at any Of oul banking institutions
does not prove that gsnuiss bill is worth
less. On the contrary, il may be accepted
as prima fdcie evidence Of the sbility and
readiness Of the institution upon which the
forgery has been committed, TO redeem its
obligations On the same principle we
claim that the fact that political charlatans
are scnnd ir our pulpits and theological
seminarles does not prove that religion,
pure and unde6led, is fraud, bat rather
that these imposters are frauds on igion
10 short, while we believe in liberal, catholic
christianity a Christianity which comedies
to al classes the privilege Of worshiplng God
ing to the dictai IS Of their own conscience
we do not believe in Liberalism piltostt a
Christianity.
We nnd, however, that studious attempt
Il being made by the enemies Of Labor Re-
form TO impress aps.- ne public mind that
nfidelity, pure and simple, is the only basis
upon which the claims Of labor reformers ere
founded 10 fact that they are but re-hash
Of the sgrariaa, red republican theories Of
France. This we most emphatically deny,
and challenge our Opponents 10 sustain
their assertions. OF course, il we admit
the premises, the conclusions are inevitable.
But we do not propose to surrender an inch
Of vantage ground 10 this controversy. Let
our enemies link, uuchallenged. tine labor
reform movement, WITH me infidei tendencies
Of the age, and half the contest 10 decided ;
but we disire to meet lhem at the thresh-
hold of their argument. We assert without
fear Of successful contradiction, that the
Gospel Of Christ sustains US in our every
demand AID is 10 diametrical opposition q
the claims OF the ShyIocks, who wear the
livery Of heaven 10 serve e. lie SSssf IN 7thai
Irhe netp commandment is one which they
and their s5ettors violate every day ana
tlia', instead Of wandering into the mazes O
infdelity to sustain our position, the volume
# Divine inspiration is the rock Of truth
upon which our pretensionS" are tou nded
That IN claiming to be the followers Of the
Prince Of Peace, while they actually abet th 6
robbery Of the widow and orphan, they are
suilIy Of 9 fraud which rgea az ATHEIST would
scorn to commit.
On the other hand we have no fellowship
With, or respect for, the clergyman who Is
Ayr prepared to defend the follles Of the
lay, or declares that "the opera is the hand
maid OF the Church" If so, il must certainly
Be- a cery queer Church; and the Christianity
which gives him warrant for sucf ssser-
lions a Vsry Liberal Christianity. Tha'
between the teachings Of the bigot and ths
zeaIot there is little to choose, As in nine
cases out Of ten both care more about poll.
ties than divinity, and are better able to lead
party gathering than class q Getting.