The Leavenworth weekly times., 1875-03-18
TIE nrEEE SIDE.

The God-in-the-C Constitution Convention
held in this city a few weeks ago, did not,
as The TIMES has already averred, repre-
sent the sentiments Of the Christian people
of Ieavenworih. The work of the conven-
ton was all cut and dried before hand, and
those who did not subscribe to the ready
made programme were distinctly informed
as in the cases OF Rev. Greene and Dr.
Younkin-tha; their room would be prefer
able to their company; consequently, the
action of the convention was unanimous.
But since the convention there has been an
occasional expression from those VINO do
not favor the movement
Notice was given on Sunday morning last
that Rev. VIM. Kincaid, pastor OF the First
Congregational Church, would make this
question the subject of his evening discourse;
and as it was generally known that his
opinions OF the matter were not strictly IN
accord with those OF the recent convention,
the large church was filled, with an audi
ence composed OF intelligent and thinking
people, who desired to hear the other side.
The neverend speaker made one OF his ablest
efforts, and showed by the numerous refer
encs< made and authorities quoted that he
had given the subject much careful investi-
cation, and had examined it as a lawyer as
well as a minister He showed by reference
TO all the existing laws Of the country, and
BY quotations from the constitutions OF
many Of the States Of the Union, that the
Christian religion is fully and distinctly
recognized, in the spirit OF our statutes, as
the prevailing religion Of the country. And
this will continue to be the case, he SAYS, to
The extent that the principles Of Christianity
take hold upon the hearts OF the people, but
when government attempts any other recog-
milton than this, of any religion, Christian,
Hebrew, or Mohammedan, It tran
soends its legitimate powers, and
starts upon line of policy
which jeopardizes the very religion that it
seeks to promulgate, and imperils the ex-
isteisce Of the church, the State, Of law and
order, and all the ends which governments
among men are designed to promote.
We have always boasted OF our religious
liberation" said the speaker, but as Prot
estant Christianity has always been the re-
ligion OF the great mass Of our people, and
; has stamped its impress upon all our legisla-
tion, our liberation has all been exhibited
toward ourselves; but now that large null
titudes from other countries, holding to dif-
ferent religious beliefs, are coming TO our
shores, We have an opportunity TO exhibit
that our boas,od religious liberty is not an
empty name. He regarded a movement
looking toward the establishment OF State
religion, as directly opposed TO the whole
spirit OF our institutions, and would regard
the success of such movement as the great
est misfortune that could befall the country.
The principles of Christianity, he said, can
never be legislated into the people, and any
amendment to the Constitution that de-
mands 4 religious qualification, while it
would do absolutely nothing to promote the
cause OF true religion, would be abundantly
fruitful of hypocrisy. The only recogni-
tion Of Deity that is worth anything, and is
not a hollow sham, is recognition in the
hearts Of the people. Let. the State per-
form its legitimate functions, and not at
tempt to meddle with religion. Let the
church, protected and fostered as it is by
of establishing the great truths Of religion
in the popular mind, and thus give bet
ter recognition 10 the real principles of
Christianity, than would be given by stamp
ing the name OF God, in letters OF gold, all
over the Constitution.