New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-10-10
ALLIANCE OF CHURCH AND STATE.

BY THE HON. ]. L. NJ CURRY, IL D., OF RICH
MoSD, VA.
The subject assigned is the expediency or
rghtfuness Of alliance between the civil and ecclesast
cal power. without aiming at strict verbal accuracy,
the question may be variously stated. Is an "Estab-
shment" prOperi Can civil government rigbtuly in
terfere with liberty OF consciencei Has not every
rational being an inaenable right to worship God free
from rloestationi Has government night 10 dscrmi-
nate among religions as Mr. Gladstone phrases it, TO
choose the national religioni Should religious congre-
cations receive the salaries Of pastors from the State
and be consequently placed under ite superintendent
IL ought 10 be promised that liberty
license social anarchy nor 20 be used for vail Of
wickedness Liberty implies restraints and limitations,
and exists where each person is guaranteed the full
ercise OF faculties and rights long and provided
the part OF others SIC utere tao rel 0ienum dedas.
In the assertion OF the rights OF conscience the peace
the Of society Is not 10 be disturbed The le
gtinate authority Of the magistrate is not to be i'm
pugned. Liberty does not license crimes against prop
freedom Of conscience, this right aud prerOgative of
man. sacred 1t is correatiye with obligation on the
part Of Others To disregard OF Interfere with this right
is TO be false TO duty, 10 violate sacred thing.
Christianity has been often allied with civil govern
ment Since the third century OF the Christian
connection has been outside Of the United States the
invariablc rule in Europe and America sach policy
covenant theoeraey existed and the civil government
instituted in large degree to maintain and foster
religion Cvi rulers for self agRrandizement, suhordi-
mated Christianity or rather ecclesiastical organiza.
to 5ner cS1ft GGCa I% s
Christian re gion. When the Papal Hierarchy became
dominant, IL subsidized the civil power, and
held II IN yassalsge. The Reformation, which,
in some respects a protest rather than
a reform, by fatal blunder, copied, with some modih
cations this wrong Of Popery. Protestant governments,
10 resist Papaey and promote the reformed religion,
took religion under their fostering Kings and
emperOrs and dukes claimed 70 be the Head Of the
Church their dominiOns were recognized SUCH and
exercised OF the power that had been witlSrawn
oured Of persons taking office, distinctly and formally
deserted the right OF the sovereign 10 he the Head OF the
Church The government claims the right OF eRslatng
for the National Church, aud the Parliament Is As
sIIpreme over the Church us over property aud life.
When Church aud State united, the State practi-
caly assumes nfaibty, arrogates the eapa6lity aud
the night 10 sit in judgment upon ereeds and 10 deter
nne what church. what is the church. what Is true,
and what s false religion. An establishment prefers one
denomination to another, aud throws the weight, au-
thorfv power and Influence OF the government IN favor
~ us sect religonists From among several
denominations Government selects one ts ds
terminating favor II takes this denomination Into part
nership establishes IT., patrOnizes H. supports II by
special laws public property eAc,usno p.a'sSs,s'
gives IL power as state ChuIch IN tuo otste,
and somefnes uses civil Officers 10 enforce eocle-
siastcal discipline The Government thuh places
nearer the sovereign power the man or the
| processes a particular creed such one becomes
member OF privileged fraternity. and by SOVEREIGN
d0eto Donstrdr held w as more proper pr sVn tn
ms essiavored fellow. Exodthtdrd MS oItnouo . ~,
ceItueu aud lac stands before the cOnnuhit! W. 80
unbTtmdn OF the powers that be- repaia'ion vi .h
Chuieh and State IL the removal or al pOscui 81,
sralnA snd political supports from Christian deno
the placing ABOVE nor below, but platform vi per
iect equAiip. Ia the proclamation tnat a
citizen shall not be favored preiudlced In prop
cry. reputation, social .otucl position, OF IN