The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1874-02-03
What is Truth2 Or How ShouId
Religious Discussion be Conducted
in the PTeHs3


In the PTess3
Totte Editors Of the Intelligencer:
Would that could say, as Paul said,
II have lived in all good conscience TO
this day"-not indeed in the sense in
which he meant It, but in the very best
sense imaginable. There are but few
men, however, who can say this. But l
may presume TO say this much at least,
that l do not recollect ever to have
penned line for the public press, which
was not intended in one way or other 10
advance the public welfare. But that the
object Of those intentions have always
been realized, certainly am not pre-
pared to affirm.
lam led TO make these remarks from the
fact that tho manner in which questions
OF morals and religion are sometimes dis.
cussed in the public press are occasionally
made the subject oil criticism; but moro
particularly with reference to an article
which recently appeared in the INTRLL1.
GENcER over the signature OF "Amicus."
Now l like this name. It denotes friend,
ship, and doubt not Is intended 10 ex-
press the authors feelings towards his
kind.
lam happy 10 agree with Anxious in
most that he has written. He fairly pro-
sents what ought 10 be the object OF all
religious inquiry In the simple question
WHAT IS TRUTHH As 10 the best mode
Of conducting this investigation, l do not
know that should exactly agree with
him. Suppose that he were Saul, and l
were David. Could little David Join the
battle in Saul's armor? l trow not.
can understand perfectly that lecities
should be excluded from the pulpit. For
my own part, ! would alwsys prefer new.
er TO hear anything from that place which
would tend 10 provoke smile. And vet
there are some Of the ablest and most sue.
cessiul ministers in our country who do
not rigidTy adhere to this canon OF nroS
cedure, Witness Henry Ward Beecher
I do not mention him for the purpose OF
defending his practice; and yet 10 subject
him 10 the requirements Of the canon spo.
ken Of, would be virtually 10 exclude him
from the pulpit, Anxious might say, BE
II so.' But thousands would say, mo:
never did man leave his impression
good, II Is hoped-more .indelably upon
the character oil q nation, than has Henry
Ward Beecher upon that Of the Ameri-
can people,
But there are certain places Of religion
perhaps should say, ecclesiasticlsm,-
which are seldom touched upon in the
pulpit, in regardto the true character o.
which the people must remain more or
less In ignorance unless they are discussed
in the public prints; and these aspects too
are such as TO render churches and re.
ligious institutions distasteful to q yefy
large number Of persons.
For instance, Amicus will recognize
my meaning when speak Of such tSinps
as sham, Nlan-toor&Eip, minister. kilinc
clerical assumption, arbitrary government
church 'milIsnary, religious u gossip, and
irTetioious fairs, and odn0lin9 Jtops. When
these things are spoken Of In the press as
they deserve, ministers, are apt to feel
themselves insulted, and TO declare that
the Ark Is In danger. But this Is very
foolish. These nuisances must be re-
moved ont Of the way before their min.
istries can be successful; and what better