, 1873-03-16
From {hs Golden .a1e-

a. Christianity recognizes no sanctity in natu-
fal human Affection. {b-} That it extends over
| nyriaes OF sensitive minds the blackuess and
gloom OF q horrible theology. (c) Commands
supreme love to God whosacharacter is utterly
| nnloTely. (d) That it sinks the brotherhood Of
man in the brotherhood OF Christians, and winks
at tho injustice and cruelty inflicted upon those
who reject the Christian creed.
Under Article 4, Mr. Abbot charges that Chris-
tinnity (a.) sets up despotic authority that
makes man sfave in his very soul. G5) That it
has always allied itself with despotism In civil
governments. !(c.) A. Catholicism, it has been
an unmitigated spiritual and intellectual tyranny.
(d.} As Professionalism, it has been unniti-
gated spiritual tyranny te.) It is the true heir
OF the ancient Roman Imperialism, seeking uni
sersal dominion, political as well as religious.
tianity o. stands etubboruly in tho path OF all
human progress. o. Teaches the Impossible
ity Of hnmanitys advance through its own nat
ural e1ertions, and insists TINT it should rely
on supernatural assistance alone. Cc.) Teaches
despair OF human nature as ruined, Lost, Do
PRAYED, incapable Of all salvation but that which
comes from without. (d.) Proclaims ideas OF
God which would drive every reflective mind &C.
quainted with modern knowledge into absolute
Atheism, were it not that modern knowledge
itself furnishes the elements OF far higher idea
OF God in universal nature.
These five articles Of - Tbs Impeachment Of
Ohristianity," including twenty distinct counts,
a. Just stated IN nearly Mr; Abbot's own
1&4bAapSS EI3 I'LL CU11NEuH6u IL q HmAA
duodecimo tract Of only ai1 pages. and With
ont one word Of proof, without one historical
statement without any attempted Analysis OF
society, Christian or Pagan, without announcing
any new principles OF Interpretation, OK Of Bib
ncal criticism, by which the author has arrived
ut his conclusions. They are thrown on to the
world, with all the Bolcmnity Of solf-evidept
propositions. II honesty Of purpose ia ynd-
Gated, modesty has at least been fea1ful1y sinned
against, An attack 80 sweeping, against sys-
far NJ faffh and afhica which T., Init
own language, 'has endured for nearly two
thousand yearB, because it has struck root into
the true, the admirable, the everlasting" should
have been supported By volumes Of evidence,
never been made Unsupported, it is an i'm
peachment Of Mr. Abbot. and not Of Chr1stian-
ity, that ho himself has made.
Mr. Abbot identifies Christ with the eyolu-
ton Of hls ideas in the church, holds Christian
ity responsible for all the history NTH which it
haa been interviewer, and makes Christ himself
responsible not only for the interpretations, but
for the very lives Of his disciples. Hesays Chris-
which ia organized in the Christian Church; and
its history is the history Of the Christian Church
Such I believe is the definition which it has
made for itself; and such substantially is the
only definition Of it which will abide the test Of
The Church aud Christianity identical! Re1ig-
ion and theology one! No. Christianity is the
ideal and the life Of Jesus Of Nazareth And
the definition which Jesus gives his own
Eegon asr lore ood Of God and 19ve .t of man
test Of time. We may as truly assert that tho
governmental evolution Of the United States up
to 1861, with alavery apparently widening its
empire under tho Constitution. WAS, and is, the
only t1uo definition of the Declaration OF 1nde-
pendence, as to assert that Christ and historic
Christianity are identical.
There ia not one Of Mr.. Abbots charges, Gov
cred by his five articles OF impeachment and
twenty specifications, but what is disproved by
the specific precepts OF Christianity as given by
even the first disciples; while the entirs life and
teachings Of Jesus refute every one Of Mr.. Alb
bots attacks. For example: Christ says ' 'Ye shall
know the truth, and the truth shall make you free"
+ tbs !, hod Of s ssys
this tho enemy Of science "Your heavenly
father knoweth that 50 have need Of all these
things" says Jesus. IF man will not work,
neither shall be eat, )" says Paul. +" He that pro-
own household, hath denied the faith, and is
worse than an infdel-" Does this withdraw
attention from the NATURAL affairs OF this lie p,
' Be diligent in business" Does this f" "concen-
trato all earnest thought On another life :" Is
ous devotion to carnal things2'' Is there any
better Indictment to enterprise than in Christs
parable Of the talents /?
Love your enemies, bless them that curse
you, do good to those that hate you, and pray
you that 70 may be the children Of your father
which ia in heaven. For be naketh his sun to
rise on tho evil and on the good, and sendeth
rain On the just and on the unjust" Is this
motive Of human conduct ?" Is it not rather an
appeal to the highest dieinterestedness and the
Wieest benero1ence. Except yonr righteous
ness exceed tho righteousness OF tho scfibes and
s il NO r.? enter e .d9 into thhe he
shalt i've" :" He shaI1 save the people from
(not in) their SINS" Does this teach that g the
Tirtues Of the Savior can be q substitute for !
the virtues Of the saved :" He that doeth |
wrong shall receive for the wrong. that he hath
God" Does this intimate "that the natural !
penalties Of w1ong.doin& can be escaped Z" |
i Cal no man master" "Judge 70 not o{ your
own selves what is right?" "Your bodies are |
renee, and extinguish Balf-respect7" Does it
not rather raiso man to heaven, and make every
one his Own king and priest "What man il
there, whom II his son ask him bread, will he
give him stone7 Or II he ask fish, viii he
give him = serpent7 II 70 then being evil Tor
fmperfect) know how to give good gifta to your
children, how much more will your Father which
is in Heaven give good things 70 them that ask
Him :" Is there mo recognition OF the sanctl-
ty OF human affections here 2" Do not these
ty OF natural human affection the very type of
the DiSine2
The charge that Christianity "e1tenda over
myriads OF sensitive minds the blackness md !
gloom OF horrible theology" is grntuitous,
unless We are at liberty to identify Christianity
with Calvinism or Ar1nenianism and sink all it's !
sublime principles Of tho lore and fatherhood Of
God toward all men, evil Us we'll aa good, in the |
false and fearful interpretations OF medinral !
faith. The charge that We ara commanded TO
love d God supreue1Y uhose character is utterly |
un1oyely,'' is disposed OF in the same way. It is
3 question Of interpretation. Mr. Abbot ac~
cepta the character ascribed to God in CdVin's
ii Chrigtendom, as fair representation Of
Christs idea Of" God. But every
IS total Misrepresentation, y hor-
rible carieatu1e: From Christianity, as IN
Ierpreted by Paul, ne derive our idea OF the
1Sod and Father Of our Lord Jesus Christ, whom
the whole family in Heaven and On earth is
1amed," From Jesus himself we get our idea OF
Eod - ssour heavenly father" "more wiling