The New York herald., 1870-12-18
Religious Sermons.

10 EDITOR OF THE hERALD:--
cannot think too highly speak too favorably
OF the plan recently inaugurated by you OF publish
ing synopses OF the principal sermons delivered In
this city and vicinity, together with just and honor
able criticisms on the same. The clergy have the
ears oil the people every Sabbath, teaching whatever
doctrines they choose, and limited only by their
spectve creeds, while the people hitherto have had
no means OF criticlsing their doctrines. however
false, or Of answering their arguments, however
faacious In this way the press may become q
power for good, whose magnitude cannot be easily
estimated, and therefore sincerely hope that other
papers will adopt the same laudable and useful
course you have adopted. There Is one danger
which should be strictly guarded against, and that
that criticisms be allowed to degenerate into per-
sonaltes, great IL the temptation in thai direc-
ton.
When, for instance, a Clergyman standing in his
pulpit before his audience, as one did not long
ago in New Jersey, declares, while alluding to
Simon, the Syrenian, who was compelled to bear
the cross, that "this was one Instance, at least
In which the negro was called upon to assist in
the great work or redemption" such basphemy
from the pulpit should be promptly rebuked, and
know Of better medium than the public press This
was done at the time by your correspondent, but for
some cause il was rejected by the HERALD. but was
readily received and published by other papers.
Rev. DR.. HepwOrth. or perhaps his friend. in re-
viewing my criticisms on his sermons, merely re.
iterates what he said before that II can get on with
a decidedly bad man, but have no patience with
Indifference ana thinks tho statement 'self-evi-
dent when taken from religious standpoint"
bad man may be transformed into one
as pure as an angel when viewed
Again. ne says, IL sometimes happens that who
delivers ''terrbie lnvcctiyen may bring about
Improvement IN tile morals OF sOciety, tkc. per-
fectly agree with the reverend gentleman In THIS.
The entire Christian system had It's origin in the
.,.ct n.
lips OF man. WHAT can be terrible than the de-
nuncIatlons that were poured upon tne Jews by the
Saviour OF manAind, and surely He was not a "bad
man ~ No, Mr.. Hcpwo rth or apOoglst; such doc
trne will not Dear examination. The ''decidedy
bad MANI Is not preferaDe 10 a man Of good moral
character, whose only crime Is indifference IN rela-
ton 10 subjects questions upon which all, per-
haps. alike ignorant. But let us he charitable;
let Us think and let tnuk ministers are made of the
same materials other men, and as a class are as
moral and aslntegent as lie best; but let 1t be under
by them That The doctrines they preach on the
sabbath may, thanks 10 Jne GERALD, DC re-
vlewedson the next
beg paraon Mr. Editor, for alludng to the SUBJ
ject again. and should not have done so but for a
personal charge against me- In which he says =
'lhis criticism seems 10 me 10 bo very like person
standing behind Tree and throwing stones ut pass
eIs-bY.n Now TO no such thing would be very
mean If not criminal. ana ior the lie Of me cannot
see the analogy must, therefore, regard 1t as or
bilious origin rather than OtlerWlSc. Is II because
! sign my name V.ndexf
In what sense, Mr. Hcpworth did stand behind
O tree2 Was 1t because signed Vindex Z" II this
signing "Not Critic /" What ''sones have thrown2
called attention to passage in your discourse,
and simply inquired II you really meant what you
saId In your reply YOU have reassered the doc
trine, and closed by virtually charging me with a
| very mean act If not crime, for simply calling
your views In question: Let 1t be understood then,
that according 10 your belief, and would state the
question fairly. that the VINO guilty of every
crime IS better. "in religious point or view." than
| the best man among US If he happens 10 be sin.
| different subject upon which ALL perhaps,
are alike In the dark. yINDEx.