Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-05-03
CHURCH AND STATE.

Father Hecker, Of the Catholic Church,
delivered a lecture on this subject in Chi
cago, few days since, which was numer-
ously attended. The following is the gist
Of his discourse:
Some men imagine that religion is not
necessary TO political institutions, but re-
ligious sanction, all will agree, is necessary
20 the stability Of political truth. An ex-
animation of political truth will reveal re-
ligious truth as essential 10 political sue
cess. Witness ancient Rome; the emperor
was ruler and POINTER mdTjmltg, and 10 deny
the existence Of the gods was great crime
With them religion and patriotism went
hand in hand. Coming down to christian
ity, the relation was the same-the support
Of religion was deemed indispensable TO
the perpetuity Of the state.
In the 10Th century, the relation be-
tween church and state was changed the
innovations Of professionalism gave the SUI
pramacy 90 the state. The founders of this
government did not believe in the suprem-
acy Of either church or state, they believed
in an identification Of both. An oath 10
support the government, recognition of
religion, was required of all. In Ameri-
ca, religion cannot be separated from our
political condition. Christianity permeates
everything, and cannot be separated from
our institutions. The church and state
cannot be divided Our forefathers be
lieved this, and Gregory XIX. exclaimed
Among all countries, the exercise of Cath
oicity is not so free asin the United States"
Washington was in favor Of the identity Of
church and state and in his farewell adj
dress alluded to them.
Plato said another religion, and you
destroy the State" Religion is the founda-
ton of the State. Political investigation
comes in contact with religious dogmas,
What form of religion then comes in con-
tact with our political institutions? This
government was founded upon the principle
that man has The inherent quality Of self
government Hence in this country the
freedom Of election and Of franchise. All
that distinguishes America from other
countries is the confidence which she places
in the capacity Of mankind. The question
then crises What form of Christianity
teaches those principles most in accordance
with our political institutions
Some person had said that Professionalism
had given as our religious freedom. In eX-
aiming this the speaker desired to be re-
garded as unbiased or impartial. Pro-
testantism tells IA that by the fail man be
come thoroughly depraved and incapable
Of penitence. This is Professionalism, none
can deny it, Luther said, "Siu ia not a
phenomena Of our nature, it Ia our nature
Itself" Melancthon said at is sufficient
for Christian to know that all endeavors
Of man are sins
The lecturer then went on 30 quote asser-
tons from Protestant theologians in sup
port Of his principles, adducing Calvin
Wesley. and many others. In the recent
Evangelical alliance in England, IL was
essential, according 90 one of the tracts of
the organization, TO believe in the depravi-
" of man. II man is utterly depraved,
and Protestanism is true, how can man be
capable Of self government One climi-
mates the other Ii one Is true, then the
other il false.
The lecturer then alluded TO the civiliza-
ton and growth Of America, and the decay
of Professionalism, because its tenents were
Incompatible with the institutions Of the
county.