, 1876-12-02

them all absolutely and Immediately.
The foundations Of Professionalism were
laid more exclusively in Christ and in
Scripture, and partOok more OF the pure
morality and liberalism Of their teach
inrs. The men of that time did not un-
drrstnnd civil liberty rs they understand
it now. Civil and religious liberty must
90 hand in hand the one is not evolved
from the other the one is not the nat
ural antcccdcnt of the other. Both are
the natural antagonsm of political and
religious dcspotism both are founded
upon the freedom of the individual will,
of individual speculation, and individual
opinions Both are the natural result, as
lo5col and Legitimate as any thing can
be, ofthc natural indiyidualism foundedin
the diverse characters of men, All men
are born with diverse powers, diverse
characters, diverse tendencies. Men are
found everywhere differing in degrees of
ability; indeed, no two men can be said
to he born alike.
In the combination of individuals for
a common purpose, the ancicnts, looking
too much towards the accomplishment
OF the common purpose, lost sight of the
individual, and suppressed him entirely
in Church and State. This gave all an
thority into the hands of few ; the few
dictated opinions and laws for the masses
to follow, and all the individualism of
the time was developed in the fortunate
few who were possessed of power, and it
was suppressed in the masses, Hence
spiritual and political dogmatism and
despotism were the Legitimate result.
Men will investigate, think, compare
it is the natural effort of reason in self.
development This effort imposed the
age Of criticism upon the age of Luther,
Calvin, and his theories. 1t imposed the
law upon England, and the law is now
the law Of the Church and the State.
Dissent introduced new churches, and
aided independent thinkers to form
around common Centers and institute
new organizations. But, in forming
these new organizations, each adopted
the old law OF strict conformity as appli.
cable to itself. This required it to an.
athemize, to eXcommunicate, to recognize
those friendly and turn aside from those
hostile to their peculiar faith. In truth,
Professionalism, from the time of Luther
to the present hour, has been dogmatic,
exclusive, harsh, tymnnical in its tbeolo,
gy. We can see no difference between
the decree Of the Pope, and the decree of
the village church, the decree of the an
nual conference, or the decree of the sy-
nod of Congregational ministers all
alike lay down the theological code all
alike forbid opposition ; all alike threat.
en- the displeasure of the Church upon
those who question the wisdom or the
truthfulness of its doctrines all alike
punish the sin of heresy, all condemn the
infdel or the unbeliever; all alike hold
up to the condemnation of good men the
German ratonalism which introduced
freedom Of discussion and thought.
There is another despotism that reigns
in all the Protestant churches, of what
ever denomination. 1t is social des-
potism of opinion. Let the Churchman
know neighbor, whatever may be the
virtues OF his private character, who in
clines to freedom of thought upon relig-
ious matters, and he repudiates him.
The hereto is deprived OF that social
countenance which will sustain his moral
character and minister to his sympa-
thetic needs he is looked upon with the
eye of suspicion as dangerous man !;
children and young men are taught to
avoid him for fear Of Contamination. To
man of sensitive nature, this is great
tyranny, deep sorrow. It cuts him off
from pleasant relations in life; it wounds
him in his family relations. This is not
the spirit of Christ; it lie not the true
Christianity; it is one of the ancient
barbarisms that must die ont gradually
with the emancipation OF the human
mind from the ancient tyrannies.
There con be no excuse for this pro-
scription, prescription that differs only
in degree, and not in kind, from the
spirit Of persecution in the old Catholic
} Church. The Church cannot be main