The Hawaiian gazette., 1868-08-05


believing IN ffee discussion and inquiry,
but not In libcleus abuse, we priu, the fol-
lowing Communication. II examines an in.
seresting question from new point Of view,
but no; In = eeasorious spirit. The liberal
Christians among us though numerous,
rarely ask 10 be heard
Mr. EprroR; The last GAZETTE calls at
ten,iOn TO an opposition manifested by the
Established Church Of Scotland (PresSyte-
rianl to the "dis-estahlishment' Of the
Irish Church fancy, that, in this counee-
ton, 1t win smuse many to learn how the
old New Kngland Furitaus regarded "dis-
establishment"
In 1880, William Pynehon, an intellectual
and cultivated gentleman, = magistrate Of
Springfield, Massachusetts, whose name has
been rescued from oblivion by the genius Of
Hawthorne, published eleveriy written
tract, attacking the doctrine Of the Atone
nenL as then prOfessed by Puritans
pressing. in fact, the views now entertained
by Uni;arians in Boston, and elsewhere.
The General Court, when the book was re
oeived from England, where 1t had been
printed, arraigned Mr. Pynehon for hereSy,
deposed him from the mAgisiacy, CON-
mAnded his book to be publicly burned in
Boston Market, and appointed three elders
to labor with him, and compel an aeknowl-
edgment of error. They also chose Rev.
John Norton. Of Ipswich, TO answer the
book, all copies Of which had been con-
dernued to tie flames. Mr.. Norton pre6xed
to his answer an "Epistle DedieatOry," con-
tanning the following rather energetic sen
tenees:
" That licentious and pesiilent proposition,
the care of religion belongs not TO the ma
gistrSte,' Is strSisgem OF the Old Serpent
aud Father of Lies, TO make free passage for
the doctrine Of devils; an invention not I'M
like SSufs cath, the trouble Of Israel and
escape OF the enemy, a SStanical device tend
Ing TO undermine the policy Of God; at
tempting 10 charm that sw0rd with fsil1cy,
whose dsxterous and vigorous use, instru-
meHt4lly, puts away evil from Israel, and
turneih every Way in its manner, TO keep the
t2ith Of the tree Of life The ruSting of the
sword Of Divine execution in the scabbard,
hath been more destructive unto truth than
the drawing of the sword of persecution"
Existing New England sentiment, even in
matters Of belief, sympAihiSes largely with
Mr.. Pyuehou. One Of Mr.. Norton's own
family, in the ffth generation, has recently
closed life OF exhAusting study, and has
identified his name aud great learning with
the advocacy Of doctrines, which the earlier
Norton was put forward 10 refute. Upon
the spot where Mr.. Pynchon was prosecuted,
liberal Christianity protects religious indie
pendeHee and intellectual freedom. But does
not the stern CalviuiSn, which sends Mis-
si0nsries 10 these Isla1is. feel bound. in re-
iigiOus duty, to re-asseTt, wherever it has
power, the doctrines Of Church and State,
which controlled Boston two centuries ago.
In fact, without eoHeeding supremacy to the
r5tissGl principle in religious matters, how
can federation Be tolerated. bow can per-
secution fail to be regarded as Christian
duty by those who think belief indispensable
10 sSlTStions II the great eonyulsion now
threatening the Irish Establishment, is TO re-
salt 10 anything more than the dismember-
ueGi o. the Anglican fabric, for the ultimate
benefit Of RomaEiSm, the instructive fezture
nay be Observed in the triumph Of rafioaGl-
hslmiug every form OF oppression,
in,olsrsnes, snd persecution but over
Ehelming, Al the sane tine, al rites, forms, I
ereeds. systems. Traditional doctrines. organ
nations Of opinion, ard schemes Of theology.
which demand the exercise Of implicit faith, /
OF rs, Upos am Other foundation than the
approval Of the huuau reason and conscience, l
and The right Of private judgment
IrGss thai these suggestions win not be /
thought Unkin6: lss<t Of al, TO the inauen- /
Iizl denomination Of Christians whose Mis- /
siOozriss have contributed so largely to the /
civilization Of these Islands. But i not this I
L fair method Of testing the force aud diree- /
ton Of public FEELING in reg4nd to the in 4
.srferencs Of the civil power in behalf Of I
rsiigio1s Tie action Of the Kirk Of Scot 1
and Is one response to the sdroii appeals of 4
the Conservative statesmen and Press, to the 1
Pr0teSrz1tizn Of the United Kingdom, which 4
la5y, besides the friends Of the Establish I
neut, wish 10 see protected By authority.
Ths-s are EODe strong Indications that, in
The svsat Of general election, these sppezls
VII Dc <zecsSsfsL NV ESeLASD.