New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-08-28
Discussion In the OberIin IRsii-
tute.

Discussion In the OberIin IRsii-
tute.
The Oberlin Theological Institute is an
association comprising many Of the ablcst
men in the Congregational Church. 1t
meets every year for the discussion of i'm
portaut questions, and continues its sessions
for several days. The question for discus
sion at one of its recent sessions was-''Is
it best to amend the United States Constitu-
ton so as to recognize Christianity ," At
the express invitation of the institute Prof
K. K. W. Sloane was present and opened
the discussion. We give below the abstract
the Professors speech, and of the general
discussion following, as reported in the Lo-
rain County Necs, published at Oberin. The
reporter states that in the opening address
the following point. were presented:
|. Neutrality of religion on the part of
the Government is impossible because this
nation is historically a Christian nation,
grown under Christian influences, and be-
cause questions in legislation constantly
| emerge in which Christian principles are
involved. Christian families must be guarded
against the encroachments of Mormoniou,
freeIove, intidelty, and foes of the family
The education of the youth is function of
| Government; but in education religious
teaching cannot be avoided in a nation like
| lulS. mere are tunes Wnen tit religious
heart of the nation is stirred.
! =. Because Christianity is essential to the
preservation of the nation. This movement
is not 50 much for Christianity as for the ma
| ton. Christianity can do without the state;
! but the state cannot do without Christianity.
| Great nations have fallen in the past, not
because of any inevitable law but for lack of
! the salt of a pure faith. How shall our nation
be preserved? Not simply by getting this
| amendment into the constitution, bat in con-
nectiOn with the moral conflicts which such
success would involve. Political Corrup-
ton is caused largely by proceeding on the
false principle that politics may be divorced
from religion. The affirmation of the true
principle would 90 far to correct this evil
| 3. This amendment is specially required
| from us because we are Christian nation,
which is shown from our whole history. 1t
| is logical and proper that Christian nation,
| formed by Christian influences and guided BY
Christian principles, should recognize the
facts in its fundamental law.
4. The necessity of this amendment is seen
from the functions f-govcrnment. Govern
ment is supreme in its sphere. No authority
comes between it and God. Government
! frames the laws of a nation, declares war,
holds the power of life and death over the
! citizens in its hand, controls the property of
! the nation, affects directly or indirectly every
interest of the citizen from the cradle to the
grave. Such tremendous power must re-
cognize higher law.
| }. The present demands of sccularism
require it. Every Christian institution in the
| country is attacked. The attempt is made
| to drive the Bible from the schools The
| legal delences of the Sabbath are broken
down, and war is proclaimed on every reli-
! gOus observance of the nation. a Govern
| ment which recognizes no higher than human
| authority, whether Of one man o" Of the
whole people, is despotism. An objection
has been raised against the amendment on
the ground of conscience. The conscience
of the minority is to be respected, but not to
be made the rule for the majority.
! 1t seems from the report that only two of
the members of the institute took part in the
discussion that ensued. We understand that
the report is but u very meagre outline of an
animated and lengthy discussion de-
bate. 1t will be seen that nothing Il said
against the principle of the amendment.
Prof Morgan-Is it true that the const-
tuition Of the United States is essentially
anti-Chrstian" | should like To have Prof.
Sloane tell me whether the constitution a.
it stands would prevent an officer from
acting according to his convictions as
! Christian.
Prof Sloane i will illustrate By the case
Of Utah. That Territory is kept out Of the
Union because Of an institution which is not
in accordance with the Christian religion.
There is nothing in the constitution to sane
ton this action, but the Christian sentiment
Of the people supports it.
Prof. Morgan-DOco the government cX-
coed its power in appointing Chaplaina in
observing the Sabbath, in setting apart days
Of thanksgiving or of fasting and prayer? !
suppose that from the first the constitution