New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-01-28
GOD IN The CONSTITUTION

Upon an examination of the principal reli-
gous weekes Of this city to what attitude they A.
sumo toward tho movement-brought into prominence
last week by Convention held In Phadelpha-for In
cooperating into the Constitution Of tho United States on
acknowledgment OF God tho ultimate source OF all
authority and power in civil government and Of Christ
IS the rightful Ruler OF Nations" 1t appears that The
0bserver TIE Evangelist The Methodist The Examiner
aud Chronicle and The Christian Leader have nothing
to say, editoriay upon the subeot perhaps because
they think the movement Of small Importance possibly
because 1t failed TO attract their notice. From letter
The Beangeis that while the number In attend
ance on the Convention not large enough to indicate
general interest In the subject the extent Of the
country represented thirteen Staes "showed that the
leaven well distributed and beginning to work in
many quarters OF our own city pastors but few were
present Outside OF the Covenantng body which seemed
TO form the staple Of the meeting there hardly
dozen who came In even spectators half that num-
Der who seemed disposed to participate. With the lay
the amount OF interest exhibited was still less"
The Independent, which has less than three Or
thodox Doctors of Divinity its editorial staff surdy
defends the opinions which 1t expressed under its
former management 1t probably by the vigorous
pen Of DR.. Eggleston):
God Ia not to be praised by joint resolution
shipped In constitutional amendments. We may deceive
ourselves into the belief that constitutional amend
ment 10 an acceptable tribute to the Father But God Is
not proud baie-liko bodle' TO be imposed upon by
empty aatery Of this sort nation means SO many in.
divtdual men, women, and children, with OF
whom God keeps open personal account All the con-
stitutional amendments in the world could not have
that such an smenimsn. would make any soul better
When bills OF lading had long and pious preambes in
any less shipowners not pious and shippers
were none the less rascay 1t Is quite probable that
they overohsrged tAer patrons, who In turn were just
as liable to fan into arson or any other such crime as
they are to-day candid review OF the history OF re-
gious phrases does not impress US with their sanctif
For che old kinS. xhosa oo,ns xvera rail- ,or.,v
stamped with Del Grata' were, many Of them most r
religious rulers by the grace Of God they ATE up the
put to death the Innocent BY the grace OF God Ferd
% % nS IN
hopeless exile that ths grace Of Cod might overflow
piundered BY the grace Of God Indians were killed.
and negroes enjoyed the blessings Of the Middle Pas
o9rished In our own day we have seen one republic
that solemnly acknowledged God In its Constitution and
states of America adopted religious Constitution,
der which 1t stole the labor Of stolen and women,
met the fate which It's crimes deserved
We cannot make Christian nation by amending the
Constitution; but by amending our lives The real
constitution Of country Is in the character OF ts peoples
and we can help the nation to be Christian nation by
from our almshouses BY Transforming them from the
tan people Let US improve our ails they may
no longer be shameful nurseries OF vice Let US make
houses OF vndicve torture places where contractors
profit BY the labor Of men who often are ess G ahsr
bear hardly upon any class And when our S al
declaring that national theory is 3d."
The LIBERAL Christian looking at the subject from
other point Of view is equally emphatic in Its opposition
to the movement:
"n the gentlemen who are engaged in the effort 10
the Orthodox Creed incorporated into the Const
tuition OF the United States have really determined TO
push their enterprise it will lead to such examination
to authority they have never yet received We are
quite willing that Orthodoxy shall convert the world TO
tn re or BY can SO no S Of
This system Of belief has always had fair field in this
country and If it, vOsss believe ought to BE the
rely upon the influence Of truth for It's
awakening Of a general spirit OF inquiry among the
people the power Of the Orthodox theology over the
masses viii be broken that inspires the ambition which
the creed upon which great ecclesiastical organizations
based We think it would be better for the yotares
Of all creeds trust moral agencies for the dus0n OF
their belief The friends of this will ultimately
learn that the principal effect Of their enterprise Will be
thing connected with IT, 1t WIN furnish sccuss
and reproach for the Of the rregous and unbehev
II there is any general agitation OF this subject may
lead to good resuhe closer union and cooperation
ofpeOple Of all classes who believe In mental and spiritual
freedom.
1--WE shall have more to say about it hereafter. We
have great ecclesiastical bodies In this country
whose system OF government is in direct antasonisn
with the genius and principles OF our national repuolcan
affairs aud do not attack the rights of other people their
is matter OF great interest 10 those outside
u their pale II they however attempt TO obtain con
troll OF tie Government in take away the hber
ties Of those who do not accept their creed thorough
discussion Of their entire system character and ten
dences may become necessary After the matter Of the
creed s settled by legislation II will be natural 10 seek
have Epscopaey for their system OF Church government
have no voice or authority whatever in the governments
the Church Az Mr.. Lincoln would say, these friends
Of ours have = big job on their hands"