Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-06-06
Wendell Phillips on Radicalism, the
Church and General Grant. =

Churcn ana ueneral urant'
The Comeouters held their second
annual convention in Boston last week.
Speakers, both male and female, were
present, advocating every sort of reli-
gious speculation. OF course, there was
a Babel of doctrines We make some
interesting extracts ram the New York
Worlds report:
The official name of the organization is
1.-THE Free Religious Association" The
meeting place has been fremont Tenn
pie. The Association declaratively aims
as follows; ITO pronote the interest OF
free religion; to encourage the scientific
study of theology; to increase fellowship
in the spirit with a small 81; to which
all persons interested are cordially in
vited to membership.
Here were mingled Trinitarians,
Universalists, Unitarian Universalists,
Unitarians proper, Bsptsts, Episco-
palians, Generative Religionists, Quak-
ers, Spiritualists, Jews, Rationalists, In
fdels, Theists, Orthodox Calvanists,
Free Thinkers, and every form OF human
faith not purely pagan. Not oRly was
each present, but each was represented
by leading advocates. And now word
as to the design of the Association spe-
cifically. 1t is not to harmonize con-
Hicting beliefs. 1t is not to discover
points of fagreement or disagreement. 1t
is not to suppress creeds by general con-
sent, and to unite in general raid on the
flesh and the devil. 1t is nothing OF
these; neither is it an association for
IL, frr ha nj
What is sought is, for each man to de-
clare what he pleases, unless, mayhap,
he prefers to declare something else.
The aim is to secure an affirmation from
each particular side of what it has to pro-
nose for the times. Each denomination
must put their points just as strongly as
they can for the faith and works that are
in them. Other denominations are not to
be assai,ed. Alluslons to other denom-
nations in criticism are ruled out. Every
one speaks for and of itself. The only
limitation is that only one speak at
time.
During the progress Of the meeting
Wendell Phillips was introduced, and
received with immense applause, so great
as to prevent his beginning for some Sec
onds. He then delivered a long speech
on the relations of religion 10 phllsn'
ihropic reform. Said Mr. Phillips:
SPEECH OF WENDELL PHILLIPS.
have not studied much on this cub
iect, and feel averse to standing here as
4 teacher. But | simply obey the orders
of the committee who bade me prepare
some thoughts on what thought hest,
and here have them. My first remark
is that | take slight exception to my
friend Higginson, in his estimate OF the
churches. To be sure he is better edu-
Gated than on the religion Of the An.
clients, and be can better compare than /
the parallel. claims Of Confucius, An
touinus and Christ have only read
history ia its broad facts, aud though |
know that Confucius anticipated the
sermon on the Mount, aud that AntO-
minus, with Socrates, should be considered
a saint Of religion, yet End nowhere but
in Christianity the proposition TO right hu-
maniiy by curing, not by merely relieving
its lila [Applsusel Col Higginsou has
said be was not educated 10 rely on
churches, that his mother taught lin bet
ter.and that be has had happy escape.
Such was not my case. ! came &c man
hood with a positive aud q profound
belief in the church as an organization.
That bslicf had 10 be bayoneted out Of