The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1868-05-30
Can a Democrat be Saved /?


We find the following in the american
Churchman," newspaper published at Chi
cago in the interest of the Episcopalians; and
although, SO far as it is religiously" contro-
versial, it ought perhaps to be excluded from
our columns, yet as Democrats We certainly
with the mass of our readers ought to have a
deep interest in the solution Of the important
question to which it alludes:
CAN A "DEMOCRAT BE SAVED 1.-The fol-
lowing, which we cut from the columns of the
Adrance (CongregasiOnalist,) shows a curious
DRIFT in religion. Here evidently is class of
questions which never occurred to the ancient
casuists. Cana "Democrat " be saved that
is the question now rife among our Csngrega-
tional brethren. Hitherto they have "cOn-
verted," in the Church mentioned, none but
" Republicans" Now, however, they have
actually got some /" Democrats truly convert
ed, and the question rises, Can they be truly
converted and still remain wicked Demo
Gratis }"
1t Is evidently an important question with
the COngregatiOnalists, whatever it be with
"the Democrats" The Adc0nce, as will be
seen, is not at all clear on this new question
Indeed, 1t is one to puzzle the wisest head.
1t is very hard to be serious ON this subject
without expressing Indignation at such an ut
ter Caricature as this, that makes mans re-
ligiOn deped on his party politics:
DEMOCRATS AND CHURCH MEMBERsHIP.-A
brother asks question which has puzzled 9TH
ers beside himself
II wish to call attention to a matter that has
caused some of us hard study and considerable
trouble of mind. During the progress of our
meetings several men were brought to An ac-
acknowledgement of Christ, and as far as u man is
capable Of Judging, We're truly converted to God,
that have always been Democrats Some of
them take the 4, and others the = y;
some are radicals others conservatives Thus
far our church has none but Republicans in it,
but we have nothing in our church constitution,
bylaws, or Confession Of Faith that excludes
these persons from uniting with the church, If
they give the required evidence of conversion on
examination. Some of our members, however,
claim that man is not converted who will not
acknowledge the equality of man, btiek or tohite.
On the other side, it is claimed, that from the
Word OF God, We have nothing that will ex-
clude man from the church that gives good
evidence of conversion, and that we have no
right to question a man as to his political opin-
ions when he applies for admission to our
church. l wish you would give US an opinion
OH this matter in the AdUdace." 1tf.. rl
Noiron rules can be laid down, but each case
must be judged by itself, in the exercise of char
ity and good sense. A regenerate heart does
not, alas always at once secure regenerate
head. 1t does not appear probable that a true
convert will very long be edited with reading
that consists of New Testament interleaved
with the n IT, however, mans error
lie in ignorance, rather than malignity. ii he Dc
not deny human equality regards right to
kind and just personal treatment but only as to
political, privileges, about which the best men
differ, and II he show in other respects the true
Christian spirit, he ought to be admittedly