, 1874-04-12

root from Which A23 SprT:.r, q large proportion
or the evils from which mankind has suffered:
It has been the ca1se Of almost every Wat and
nearly every misunderstanding between nations
1t llns caused more blood to doT, and moro tears
to be shed, than all other inaua:ces to5osneF.
It has severed the ties OF kindred, and thrust
sword between those who should nafe oeon
friends. IN,
Humanity has no foe 30 powerful and so o1la-
cult to overcome as tho spirit OF intolerance.
Christianity bids us 1oye, intolerance olas u.s. US
hate, our fellow-man. Intolerance. being the
genius Of hatred sno vsrr srry ysoa tie
bv which tho human race is bound together.
In common life. the intolerant man becomes
pest In religion, he becomes oigot,-a man
70 intensely interested IN the sa'1hs o. o1
different to tho souls Of others. What signi-
6cs it to our bigoted friend if all others are
damned. provided he is so fortunate as to es-
cape? The bigot is hemmed in BY little cir.
Gle, and can SEQ nothing but darkness outslde OF
it. His feelings. thoughts, and opinions nave
their centre and circumference in himself. HIS
poitics-his 1eligion-aro alone orthodox.
Hs standard ct interpretation is infali1ble.
Those who difIor are simply heterodo1-
victims of "tho worm that never dies"
and food for the uuqncnchable fires. A private
council OF damnation is set up in his own heart:
before which every dissenting soul Is tried and
everlast:ngly condemned Your real blgot is the
most ho1rid and dotestnb!e Of all beings,-amonu-
spiritual ayarice and pride. These men go
about society, like devils in disguise, sncering
at every innocent pleasure and mocking At every
joy. They fancy they are thus doing good ser-
vice. They are simply, but surely, DESTROYING
the seeds ot everything that is good IN their
own nature. They ara debaslng their own
souls; and, SO far from being help, are q
curse, to other men.
The time WAS when to differ from the estab-
Ished faith meant death. Professionalism and
J1-3A Inn
10 torture or put out Of existence ti.o5e vino
denied the binding force Of church-decree was, for
a long period, the prevailing rule. To hang, or
burn, or torment the unfortunate Z" heretic,
was considered religious duty. He had no right
to live, 6ave in humble submission and abase-
tnent to ecclesiastical law.
Thus religion became fearful dc5potism. In
stead Of q Divine hand, leading tho blind and
sustaining the weak, it WAS rod. int1icting
capricious punishment upon mankind
It seems strange 10 look back over the track
OF years and perceive the dark reign Of universal
intolerance which SO short o timo ago prevailed,
and from the shadow Of which the human raco
is now beginning to emerge. Surely the world is
moving on in u Straightforward line, in spite OF
the many ohstsclos which scen1 to change fts
course or check its progress- The general en-
Iightcnment is impressirg on mems minds the
great evil and egotism Of intolerance. It is an
evil which should DO left to rot amid tho rubbish
OF the past.
The infinite variety OF mind, and education,
and human circumstances, renders it impossible
that ne should think alike. or understand alike,
tho simplest doctrines, OF oven the simplest
language. The samo word often admits OF
number of possible interpretations. Widely
different religious secte go to the same Bible for
the evidences OF their faith, and, to this day. arc
disagreed as to the truo Gig Gignifcance OF many
passages that, at first sight, would appear to be
perfectly plain.
This being an indisputable fact, both reason
and common sense declare that liberal toler
ance of other mems views and other mems in
terprctations is absolutely essential to the peace
OF society and the happiness OF private life.
Nithoutit there can be no harmony, no progress,
no religion
What 1arnentablo spectacle it is, Catholic
fighting with Protestants, Protestant 6ects fight
ing with Protestant sccts, and shades Of sect3
fighting with other shades Of tho Same sect.
This last species OF contontion is, OF ali kinds,
the least digni fed and the most pernicious.
Some tixno this month, Prof. Swing is to bo
arraigued before Presbyterian Council, to have
the question Of his orthodoxy passed upon. Tho
Professor is guilty OF i1fusiug larger spirit Of
Iove into his Christianity than vas ever dreamed
of by that queer saint, John Calvin. Hence the
advocates OF religion OF hate and fear are
severely troubled. The spirit Of Calvin, rising
from his grave and sinking his "gory locks,
must bo appeased.
THO public nre looking forward with deep in
tercst to the decisions OF this Council. Has
- Charity ANY place in the Presbyterian Church
II so, Prof. Swing will bo vindicated, and the
unity Of the Presbyterian body maintained.
CATuOL1CUB.