New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-11-23
RADICALS IN COUNCIL.

SECOND SESSION OF THE FREE RELIGIOUS Asso-
CITATION IN BROoRLYE-ADDRESSES BY o. B'
fROrHlNGHAM, T. w. HIGGINSoN, AND
OTHERS
The Free Religious Association of the United
States convened yesterday forenoon in the Second Uni
tartan church. Brooklyn for the purpose OF discussing
certain points relative faith aud morals +. +. Alb
bolt OF Cleveland is the President Of the Association
and W. J. Potter of New Bedford Is Secretary Meet
ings have been held frequently at irregular intervals in
different cities, for several years. The attend
ance yesterday morning was not large, but
every present appeared greatly Interested in
the discussion that took place. The Rev o. b.
Rockingham the first speaker. He said in part,
that no war should be made faith on pure religion
but rather upon those limitations which stand in the
way OF the convictions Of other people. The great
enemy Of Christianity Christianity ITSELF for It a
vast system Of superstition, which must DO put away
Our belief IA no invention OF 1t Is as old IA In
spiratOn Itself. We simply take the old story, but 1t
is such old story that IL has lost ts meaning and
therefore, take 1t up more. We are the Oh m
pons religion, its opponcnts the humble children
OF the laws OF It's Creator
brief address by w. j. Potter. IT. W. HgginsOn
was introduced. lie defined the Free Church movement
rs the effort OF n few honest and women to slip
from the restraints OF tho socaed Christian Church
lis cOntinHedn par,: We have atheists among our mem
bers because recognize special religion, but arc
body Of tree IciglUula and We take them az INTO our
fold. The other day, Dr. Newman OF Washington de
cared tnat Tor the next ye or ten years 10 come tnc
Christian fHth 20 be tested as 10 never had been
tested before; ana from Out tbs shaking up the
Church OF Free Religion would como out and take
prominent part. In England to-day IL Is hady pos
any belief At all prof. Ruskn states that states
who would dare to seriously quote from scripture
would be laughcd at Christianity Is toirerIng NOT ne
cause 1t Is suffering IRON poverty ICI II was nete. 50
ICh today, bt u tOtscTs because II SHUTS Out tno
rgt 70 free inquiry ana forces Scicl upon ped d
mat continuity protests hGahsS Ioteeu re'iCyts uVo
true, takes away the buiwarks Ot religious liberty
II isn't OF Christian work that does the dam
age bat IL y because There much OF IT. We nave
been trained IA The dogmls Of the Church. Every re
at It's conception, because it upset the iAvOro cIeel
they had been WOTsEiping Total abstinence
first mOotod By Acknowledged atheist; and yet
total abstinence has not found ito way into the churches
The movement WAS not upheld by the Chfl'
OF slaves, ana bought and sold Them There are
many who favor regular, constitutional religious be
are unable thnk act for themselves He closed
by stating that the Christian churcn was m
threatened Il. They cared not Tor their socaed re-
llgou, reforms theJ working Tor the enamel
patton 81. the entire world lrOm Ito religious bond age
lac evening" session Was opened In the presence OF
e1ud-,.z.I audience. b. rockingham aliin dcly
CHIEFLY on tn ,tac} Of prayer Contrary TO the usu
expression tAAt prayer The testqueatOn OF religion
mat, amt ~ TACT, Id, nJthhS 10 40 wlthlt Prb or Is
mans communion NItH LIo boter sell People sLohld
dressed they s,JulI put themselves in communion VIA
some pure thought hud az oaca tIei trouble ana unrest
WJulu ,lD,.Gr. U.d theory tuit payer Viii cure
C,cJ ILL., "a ICED dud co,hc one, Is amPJ 9upciseI'ioI
and should Dee TcpulIt.d.
G. D. b. Mills 81 syracuse was then introduced, aud he
delivered exhaustive DISCOURSE upOI Boie ldOldiIy
referring b. the oil Atc doctrines. The hed VI labor
OIL III. p4tscAt time, said Ia piI, must be Cultivated
ana there Wa. mU-H WOrA Tor .lns hands To DO Inc
Laws lie haG been neglected. Free X ,liEoh was
GROUND %. upon the lock OF trutn ANA Vrtuc but
its defenders could walt until tie whole world should
recOgai-c 90, suyIimity and cicyatng innlonces.
W D. Potter BEDFORD next dlscOusaed upon the
evils VI .Ctidusn. IL SAID, the course OF his re-
marks tuut sgcttriIa tended % destroy moral SENSE
degrading tie It.cct and cJrupuns the spirit. II Is
a. 80 au interest, % education, hJuan
Catholics go EOs desire That tGtr cndrcn 5hOdld be
t.ueuJ where the Holy Bire read ana Professionals
reuse - abolish the scriptures. Inore II constant
rI,ry between Cle member, oil On. sect ana auJ,Aci
Ale E.y j. ". C.adTic, made the closing spceCg. Al
jUulutd.