The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1868-05-30
CAN ApEMoCRAr BE sAvEDs


The Advdncs of this city, journal which
claims to represent the views Of the western
congIegationalists, has recently been dis
cussing the question whether il is possible
that the blood Of Christ can save believer
in the Democratic faith. Our readers will
probably remember that the editor OF this
paper, when denouncing the trades organi-
cations of the country, justified bis denun-
citation on the scriptural grounds that the
man or sect who proposed to remove the
misery in the world, by a more equitable
distribution Of its wealth, was working
against the designs of providence, as it was
expressly stated "the poor 70 have always
with you," and that it was the imperative
duty Of all 20 submit in humility to the po-
sition assigned them by the DEGREES Of eter-
nal wisdom.
Having thus summarily demolished the
pretentions Of the Reform Party to his own
and his patrons satisfaction, he has recently
turned his attention TO a discussion OF the
political issues of the day. From the testi-
mony Of a correspondent, it appears that
heretofore none have been admitted into the
fellowship Of the congregational church, ex-
cept those who have been Baptized into the
republican faith. But by one Of those mys-
terious dispensations Of Providence beyond
ali "nortal KEN" the invitation Of the gospel
1. al naronarofS 20
themselves on the Lords side; and the i'm
nortant question has thereby been presented,
.'Can Democrat be savedtr Or, would the
church be justified in admitting within her
folds man who does not bring forth fruit
meet for repentance, viz. u: subscribe to the
tenets of the Republican party? 1t is eyi-
dent that the editor Of the Adydace is some
what befuddled on this question, and is no
doubt rejecting on the propriety of amend
ing Paul's exhortation to the Phillipian
taller thus Believe in the platform Of the
National Republican Party and in the Lord
Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.
As the editor Of the Northeastern Church
man appropriately remarks, cit is very hard
"to be serious on this subject, without ex-
sEpressing Indignation at such an utter carl
"cature Of church as this, that makes a
''man's religion depend on his party poll
"tics." The following is the article REFER ]
20:
DEMOCRATS AND CHURCH MEAB ERsHIP.-A bro
thor asks n nuestion which has puzzled others
before himself:
al wish 20 call attention to a matter that has
caused some Of US hard study and a considera-
BILE trouble of mind. During the progress Of
our meetings. several men were brought to an
Acknowledgement OF Christ, and, as far as man is
capable Of Judging, we're truly converted to God,
that have slways been Democrats Some Of
them take the -, and others the -; some
are radicals, Others conservatives. Thus far orr
church has none bg' republicans IN 1t, but we
have nothing in our church constitution, by
laws. or confessions Of faith that excludes these
persons from uniting with the church, if thev
rive the required Evidence of conversion on *
animation. Some of our members, b ~eveT,
claim that a man is not converted who s,d not
acknowledge the equality of man, AcK or
WHITE. on the other side, it is claimed, that
from the Word of God, We have nothing that
will exclude man from the q urch that gives
good evidence Of conversion, snd that we have
no right to question man as to his political
opinions Sht 4 he applies for admission to our
church wish YOU would give US an opinion on
this matter in the Advance.
No iron rule can be laid down, but each case
must be judged by itself, in the exercise Of char
ity and good sense. A Tegenerate heart does
not, alas always at once secure regenerate
head. 1t does not appear probable that true
convert viii very long be edited with reading
that consists Of New Testament interviewed
with the -. IT. however, a mans error lie
in ignorance. rather than malignity, if he do
not deny human equality as regards a right to
kind and just personal treatment, but only as
to political privileges about which the best
.1en offer, and if he show in otder respects the
true Christian spirit, be ought TO be admit
ted @
Now, we submit, il it is not an appropriate |
question to ask, whether the man who pen |
ned the above, is not an utter stranger to
the teachings OF the gospel, and the master
T.