The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1869-09-28
WHAT IS RELIGION

A late writer says, that in searching
the Scriptures, we often find equally
good men differing with respect to its
sacred teachings
The Baptist, for example, sees the
limpid stream of Jordan flowing thro'
every page of the New Testament the
Methodist finds ample authority for Ar
menianism and un( church, authorized
bye-way preaching; the Episcopalian,
equal authority for apostolic succession,
the mitre and the prayer book; the
Presbyterian sees scarcely anything else
except the DEGREES or CaIvinism. and
the Presbytery and so with all the
other denominations into which the
Christian church is divided.
But it is source of high qualification
to the true friends of christianity to
know that amidst this diversity Of opin-
ion, there is unity of sentiment upon
all that is essential to our future and
eternal happiness. On this great point
the wayfaring man, though fool, need
not err therein
Now we feel disposed to believe this.
Indeed, we know in reason that 1T must
be SO, but we also feel like extending
the declaration further than this, and
embrace other creeds besides christian,
and assert that it is principle founded
on the strictest Justice, that men equal
ly in earnest in their efforts to serve
God, must be equally beloved by him,
no matter what differences may exist in
their creeds or degrees of enlighten.
ment; that is, they are equally saved,
though not equally exalted, the most
enlightened standing highest, nearest
to, and therefore know more Of God, yet
each will stand equally uncondemned
before him, and each enjoy his smile in
proportion to the capacity of each re-.
spectively. Is this heterodox 1t
ought not to be, and is not, if St. Peter
is right, who says on one occasion with
great wonder, at the result Of becoming
convinced against all his former no
tions: Il perceive that 6 cd is no respec-
ter of persons, but that in every nation
he that feareth God and worketh right
eousness is accepted of him. that is, all
kinds of religion, all shades Of opinion,
though differing however much from my
gospel, is accepted of him if accompan-
led with earn estness to do his will. The
same Peter, too, who had formerly said
that Jesus was the only name under
Heaven given among men whereby we
may be saved
But some may be disposed to think
that there are portions of the New Tes
lament that seem TO say otherwise. In
answer to which we reply, 1t is impossi
bic, if the book be consistent with itself
which all the creeds assert, for ther.
can be no dispute as to the precis
meaning OF the f,r regoing. St. Paul, too
who uses as much fgurative languag
Of other Gaming as any 9th
er writer, says that the heather 'havin;'
not the law, are a law unto themselves
by which they shall be judged, sthei
eonsciences also bearing witness, ant
their thoughts in the meanwhile accus-
ing or else excusing one another which
clearly admits the same principle in re
gard to those at least, who knew not th.
Gospel that he preached, and condemn
ing those only who rejected his Gospel
which, of course, implies realizing viii
TO do SO, which is not applicable to an,
who are earnestly striving to serve Goo
N any country. We know that this has
1ot been clearly understood, mixed u,
With the old oriental forms of speech.
Ind much evil has been the result III
nay safely be said to have been the
great source of all the martyrdom, racks
md tortures Of the inquisition and chris
ian wars since the advent of Christian.
ty.
There is one beautiful passage in thd
3hagavat gita, one Of the Sacred books