The New York herald., 1874-06-15

q force in humanity-a malignant power working
IN men to compel them to do wrong. This doc
The GEEATEsT PRoTEsTAxr TEACHERS
by men IKE Luther and Calvin and Augustine-ts
not that doctrine OF total depravlty winch rs the
element in Christianity. l acquit the Roman
Church OF holding 1t; 1t IS chargeable upon Prot
tant teachers in precisely the same form; it is
modified rom time 70 time under the press OF
philosophy or instruction or culture or refinement.
StIl II Is held. One OF the most prominent Pres
byterian preachers IN the city OF New York, man
OF great reputation and OF great character. too,
very noble person, very wise man III many
respects stated only fortnight ago In his sermon
that depravity OF human nature showed Itself IN
different forms. IL did not always break out into
outrageous excuses, aua sometimes 1t was
covered up with the amenities of life as not 10 be
seen a, M stu II the s sp t. o. shs World r the worldly
outn Church holds that the first man
an act OF dlsoDedence, and that all
his rosIerty are not only prone to sin, but are SIN
no speculative doctrine. II Is Q practical and
vital question which Is at work In the minds OF all
OF US all the time-this disposition which is all but
universal in society co Judge men by low stand.
ards, TO put the worst Interpretation upon mems
conduct. The man who always speaks well OF
others, who Judges Others kindly, who paistes
crime ana offence, who makes excuses ior turpl-
tude, Is regarded as an enthusiast. That fashion
OF interpreting human nature is called dreaming
and visionary, and wild and unsafe. The man who
judges people by their worst Is supposed to be the
man who mas most knowledge OF the world, ana
knowledge OF the world Is curreE<ly supposed 10
be the knowledge tnat every man Is knave and
every woman is no better than she ought to be-
And this Is the taint OF this Old doctrine or human
depravity Mark the criticism as yOu go through
the streets upon politicians, reformers, phiian-
whether upon the dead or the nvtng-marK the
snrug OF the shoulders, the shake Of the head the
wink or the eye, the EXPRESSION W that says; ""eiL
well-lf we chose TO say all that We knoW.o
THE REFoRMER
is man who wishes notorlety, according to the
judgment OF this theory OF human nature. the
phlan thrOpist Is man OF q very good but a very
weak and soft heart. rhe hero is q man III whom
the energetic will predominates. The patriot Is
man who wants to live comfortably on his coun-
trv. This doctrine OF human nature Is bequeathed
to ali people by Protestantism, and u WIN be
oil the blood of the most liberal people. The Gus
tom in the training Of children. even now, to
satan, small embryos OF the evil spirit sent into
the world full OF temptation beset with snares on
every hand, brought into life, which means watch
iuiness trial struggle. bitterness, disappointment,
sorrow and sln with lurking talnU OF EVIL IN their
hearts with affections on which tney must
fix a searching eye, with conscience that must
be walled around with sanctiues day by day;
everything must be Kept down, cramped, con
Of human beings Is new It comes
from disbelief 1t comes from the d0ubters, from
doctrine OF human nature creeping out In methods
oil education Is told IN the words instruction, edu
euucation-and the whole aim Is to hedge IN the
mind and prevent its growing naturally. Books
must be carefully seiected certain studies must
be carefully excluded; all sciences are forbidden
there must be a certain amount OF Scripture, OF
tutoring by the priest. The Catholic Church says
pubic schools not superintended by religion are
OF the evil one; they are nurseries OF vice-gong
on the supposltion that the minds to be trained III
schools are not rational minds, TO be trained
by rational methods, bur diseased, Impoverished
minds, that must be taught from above How IS it
prOt
but will not allow secular education. It says, 'You
must nave the Bible in the schools" partly out Of
spite TO he Cathoiic Church. but more essentially
because according to Professionalism human nature
is depraved The Bible
THE CHARMED BOOK,
must be brought in. You needn't read much 0: It !:
1T isn't necessary TO read IT. nave 1t on the desk
II WIN protect the school. Have II on the desk
trine OF total depravty the theory Of law is that
it is supernatural git; the lawgver was in
spired he mad the celestial grace impaired to him
The Church gave the law, the priesthood made
the statute, and the character OF the law showed
the touch OF The taDt OF this old doctrine it was
always severe. 1t treated vice and crime and
error and turpitude and foolishness as dlabocal
developments OF human nature, that must be put
down, crushed and obliterated. The insane person
was possessed by the Deyi; the CRIMINAL was pos
sessed by the Devil on tins doctrine OF human
depravity purely secular government was not to
be thought OF for a moment. The Devil saying how
the Devil Is to be governed-the DEVILS children
the thing is absurd So the tendency was
toward monarchy: the king reigns by Dlvlne right;
by virtue OF his klngSn1p ne Is inspired to make
laws and TO rule with Judgment ana equity. IL
there must be republican government the gov
ernment must be IN the hands OF the Saints. Thus
our Puritan oretathers deliberately determined
at one time that only the eect-the Church men,
bers-should I'LL the Offices. And now this idea
which is trying 10 put the name OF God on the fore
head or the United states constitution is simply
another confession OF the beliei that men cannot
govern themselves; that the constitution without
the name OF God in 1t is atheistlcaL and, being
atnelstlcal, must be depraved ana abomnabie.
Ine idea Is tnat II the name OF God ls inscribed on
the forehead OF the constitution the spri. OF God Is
in the constitution and Will preserve It,
THE SUPERsTITlOUS JEWS
In the olden time never would tread careessly on
piece OF paper lest 1t hight have the name OF
God written upon II. so these men who advocate
the referred To think that the constitution
would become sacred. 1t Is time that
this doctrine OF inherent sin was discarded.
1t Is time that ali this talk OF deprav-
ity and debasement ceased. Our vocabulary
should not contain the words 1dleness OF human
nature, debasement OF human nature, depraviJy
OF human nature. Our vocabulary should contain
none but words expressive OF faith III the constitu
ton or man. OF hope in his future The doctrine OF
human depravty Is libel not only uDon human
nature but upon human character. 1t is libel on
the supreme God. IL Is an affront to all that Is
worst as well as all thai Is best In human char
acter. You will never make man strive to
progress II you tell him he progresses to his DOOM
You Will never make one respect himself by telling
him he is child OF the Devl. You Will never make
q man good by convincing him that he is had, or
better by assuring him that he is worse. Human
nature, ike material nature, lives the sunshine
and the air. 1t cOnnot nave too much OF these Ii
you make IL live in shadow, IL fares as your flowers
do. as your grass does-it dies. Hope, faith cheer,
boundleSs prospects, great beyond-these are the
mark. Talk Of the grace Of the Holy Spirit
great hope-that Is the Holy Spirit.
ALI, SOILS CHTRCH