New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1867-05-17

ties.
In spite OF the smallness and obscurity of
lis origin, the fierce and ruthless persecu-
tlOus to which in earlier times it was sub
ieCtcd, ana Notwithstanding in later years
the irony Of NOltaire, the sneers Of Glib
bon, the subtlety of a Hume, the indecent
assaults OF Paine, the searching sOulless
criticisms Of a Strauss the refined senti-
mental rationalism Of RenaL. not to speak
of the less open but not perhaps less
misCLicyOus attacks Of the author of
Eccc Homo" and others-in spite, we
say, Of all that has been aud is still
being done to defeat its influence and
sap its very foundation, Christianity
has grown, and is now indisputa-
bly, the mightiest and most aggressive
power in human affairs. Wherever life, ac-
tiyit-, energy, enterprise most reveal them
selves wherever herUism, nobeness, self
sacrifice are dominant characteristics
wherever real, genuine progress is most dis
tiuctiy visible. Christianity is found to oe
there, and is to be credited with the result
Wherever, on the other hand, life is reduced
! to the last point Of dullness wherever sell
I tshness rules and public spirit Is wanting
/ wherever progress reveals itself by back
ward and not by forward movement,
/ Christianity is either not there, or is so
I overlaid and mixed up with human devices
aud so cramped ia its energies that it is
ITS tiCally dead.
In no country in the world, either in past
or present times, has Christianity had SO
fair a field talI the more fair that it has not
been favoredl as she has had in the United
States: and in no other country has her
energzing and hfe-giving power been more
distinctly or more fully felt. The American
republic was the first, on a large scale at
least, not only to see but to correctthe error
/ of Constantine; and as the result the re-
public has not only been spared the envy
. and jealousy and strife from which other
and older nations have suffered, and ftom
fEb
has reaped in substantial form the precious
r fruits Of a wiser policy. A State church Is
: consistent on no other principle than on that
! Of uniformity of faith and practice. But uni
fOrmity is inconsistent allke with the spirit
/ and mind of man and with the genius OF
Christianity itself No two minds are pre-
ciselv the same. No two disciples ever re-
ceiyed system of doctrines in precisely
the same sense, formulated them in pre-
cisely the same words, or reduced them to
practice in precisely the same manner. The
thing is impossible. Whatever may have
been done in the name of fChristianity-and
much certainly has been done which had
better been left undone-it is not her mis-
sion as it was not the object OF her founder,
to accomplish the impossible. The spirit OF
Christianity is doubtless one, but that unity
Is not violated by diversity of form, and
even by large divergence in minor matters
of detail. State church oyerlooks or disre-
CARDS these fundamental principles In this
! ! ia
, the weakness ofa church established by law,
indorsed by and identified with the govern
ment Of the nation: and it is this which
renders the existence of all such instItu-
tions Incompatible with an enlightened
!, spirit of independence and with the intel
/ leCtual growth of the race. Church estab-
lishments are doomed; and though in old
, communities. where they are lnterwoven
with the whole framework of government,
the struggle may be long and severe, moth
ing can save them. II is a cause of graft
tude to every citizen of this great and grow
ing republic that from all the evils insepa-
rabe from such institutions we have ever
, been happily free. Nowhere is the wisdom
of the trainers of the constitution more dis
tinctly revealed than where it is declared
, that Congress shall make no law respect
ing an establishment of religion or prohibit
ing the free exercise thereof and for few
things in the constitution will successive
generations of the American people have
more occasion to be lastingly grateful.
In the tree soil of the republic Christianity
has firmly fixed its roots. In her free at
, mosphere and under her bracing winds and
genial sunshine it has shot up and become
IA goodly tree. The branches are many;
some of them are larger, some OF them are
smaller but all of them are healthful, vigor-
Gus, and truitbearing according TO their
, measure. The month of May is the harvest
: season when the fruit is looked for. This
? week will make it plain to the world what
that fruit is-whether it is larger or smaller
,, than in previous years. We wish the anni-
! versary meetings all success. We shall be
glad to learn that congregations have
been multiplied, that large accessions have
been made to the different memberships,
that contributions larger than ever have
been poured into the treasury, that stipends
have been augmented, and vice ard immo-
rality have proportlonately decreased. We
shall be glad to hear good reports Of the
brethren, whether in solemn council as
sembled or visiting and inspecting the lions
of the Empire City. Prosperity and pure
; record al aot a bad wish in any cIroun-
= stances, and we heartily express it, not
!, merely for all the Christian societies whose
? annual meetings will be held this week IN
d this city, but for all other Christian ofganl-
> cations which are accomplishing good WORK
throughout the United States.