New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-07-09
reason, and thank God that this faculty has


been given alike to US all. b,
In this world Providence has placed
standard of right and wrong within every
ones breast. This standard, fortunately
for man, is varied in each individual; what
one may think right another may deem
atrocious, and so on, as we cOnstitutionally
differ. Still, there are some actions upon
which men concur in their judgment, thus
leaving us without doubt as to their COM
initial or nom cOmmittal. But it Is only OF
that class upon which there is difference OF
opinion that we would now speak. We see
women II shall not say men, for devotees
among the stronger sex are SO few and Tar
between) Frustrating themselves daily be-
fore some altar, or humiliating themselves
in some tribunal of confession. We see
these Jealous Christians go about SANDER
ing their neighbors, or reyiling those whose
devotions are not so great as their own, as
soon as their steps are turned from the
house of God. Do their consciences here
entirely acguit them Of sin or do they
think these are some of the many privileges
They go through certain formula, and
there their religion ends. They forget that
little consistency of piety in their lives
would do more toward bringing souls to
God than the hearing of thousand ser
mons! They feel that having attended to
the command of God, which bids all hear
his word, that they are exempt from the
fultillment of that one which tells us to
practice what we hear.
Bigots deem that theirs will be a crown of
glory hereafter, since on earth they are so
firm in the belief of their own church. SO Sc
cure do they feel in this belief that they think
themselves justifable in ridculing and de-
nouncing the religion of all other denomi-
nations. We see their most devOut wear
ing away their lives in prayer and fasting
at the same time, culpably needless of the
many virtues whose practice would do more
toward procuring that crown of glory than
years passed in mental and physical starva-
ton within that living tomb-a converts
walls! Many among them look upon the faith
of others simply as a combination of outward
forms which go toward satisfying the crav-
ing we all have for something to raise and
ennoble us, but which will avail but little
in procuring either temporal or eternal
welfare. They think sacraments can only
benefit when administered by their own
clergy; that dying outside the pale Of their
church, ones salvation is extremely doubt
full; that the sacraments of baptism, confirm
alton, matrimony, ETC., receive their validity
only from the hands of their own ministers.
They hesitate not in expressing these
opinions, perhaps, indeed, they even
do it with clear consciences, and yet
such narrow-mindness and contraction
of opinions in those to whom we
should look up with reverence, do more
toward turning erring ones further from their
mother church than anything else has power
to do. They say the Corruption of the Best
is the Worst" and the caustic saying has in
it much truth; for, when we see those far
above us degrading themselves with such
prejudices, our imagination soon takes them
from their lofty pedestals; our infatuation
passes, and our idol becomes clay. We heard
once of minister, one, too, who was adored
and feared by his congregation, refusing to
perform funeral service, on the plea that
his services would not be requited: the pc
titioner was poor and could not satisfy his
demand, so the body of one who, in life, had
been sincere Christian, was consigned to
the grave without one prayer being said over
her. We charitably hope his conscience
did not torture him afterward for this act;
there may, it is true, have been some extern
uating circumstances which governed his
conduct on this occasion, but, at present,
our imaginations are not sufficiently vivid
to draw excuses for such want of charity.
1t is a necessity, sometimes; indeed, a
most deplorable necessity, that compels
man ever to deny the existence of con-
science; following which denial he doubts
the Immortality of the soul and the exist
ence of an avenging Deity. One doubt is
the inevitable forerunner of the other !
Where would be the justice of God in
placing us here as responsible beings, if he
had not also given us this guide within to
direct! Where would be our virtue or
morality, with all our downward, sinful
tendencies, if it were not for this guide
never failing to show us what is right or
what is wrong; what course to adopt; what
one to avoid! In spite of all subterfuges,
we hear voice in the recess of our souls
protesting so loudly against the mere ide a
of such superstition, that we are forced to
acknowledge this divine attribute of intel
ligence, which was prior to nations and
kingdoms, and as ancient as that God by
whom all are governed
July 8, 1871. L. A. V.