New-York tribune., 1876-02-26
RELIGION AND MORALITY.

MORAL But NOT DEvoUT PEOPLK-THE PHARIsEEs
nTIGIOUs-CHRIsTS COMMANDMENT REGARD-
ING MORALITY.
70 the Rd{fOF OF The Tribune.
SIR: VIM. Watson, in his recent letter to you, in
which he reasers that therc connection
between religion and morality" is right with adherence
against himself He with many Others, and not few
professed Christians, msappIch6ud the meaning OF the
word "rtigcn" II s Of Latin origin and Is not to be
found In the Bible until 20 the "Acts Of the
Apostles" II = there used by Paul when before Ag1pa
He SAVE "That after the straiteat sect OF our
gion lived Pharlsee." He 1t again in tho first
CHAPTER Of his epstlc to tho Galatians, and again in
describing himself ST. James it and its dcrigatve
religious I'm The first chapter OF his episet to which
cordially refer Mr. Watson for truc description, can
scsrcely say definition, Of the Christian religion In MS
summary OF This chapter ST. James decaies, "Pdfo re-
lgiou and undenlel before God aud the Father j. his
To visit the fathcrless and widow in their alictlon
and 70 keep himself unspottcd from the world The
olsss Of persons to whom Mr. Watson refers land VIC all
know OF such moral and not religious lac should dcsig
nate as mcra but not deyOut. They are TO bc found
among all nations Of all imaginable religions, and are OF
the salt Of earth Mr.. Conway cuogzed them in his
recent lectures on the Religions OF te East" Wherever
found they are constant rcbukes 10 tho blatant pro
fessor who seeks religion any form 20 give vent to his
oyerHoWing emotions II to have been wise pro
vision OF the Almighty that large numbers OF all genera
tions should be born moral They and they only hold the
true balance Of power ana where that moral force is
hound 10 true spiritual enlightenment who can resist ts
s,yav9 It's slowly but surely conQucrng The world
Wus Chrts GOSPEL founded in MORALITY II not. then
men are saved without it, II yes, what theni in tho
Sermon on the Mount He thus cautions Ills hearers;
"Tbnk not that am come TO destroy the law and the
prophets; not come 70 destroy hnl ~ nh.i. foi
verify say unto YOU Till heaven and earth pass away
one io little shall in no wise pass from me law
TIL an be fulfilled whatsoever, therefore, shall break
one of these least comma ndments, aud shall each men
no. he shalt called the least In Tho Kingdom oi heaven
but whOsOever SHAH do and teach them the rno shall e
called great in the Kingdom OF heaven Tor say unto
YOU, That except your righteousness mark not re
igOn fGr the Scrbos aud PhJrSees had plenty oI thaU
"exceed that of the Scribe aud Pharsees ye shall IN no
case ener the Kingdom OF heaven" IN the face Of this
awful declaration Of Criss how can any ono accept
his salvation and dare 10 be immUrali
There are a this day many calling themselves Chris
flans who think that to believe s. the only
Gulremcnt Of Chrsts gospel making His life and teach
iYp of non avail They form the anhesis Of those who
ima gne that morality is the only requirement OF God
from man making of Chrst's death supernuity The
rst harp continually Jesus calling sinners, not the
righteous 10 repentance. They display great unctiOn In
calling themselves miserable snneTs, and seem To take
great delight In keeping such 1hey are OvergrOwD with
sprltuA sotb and certainly tamprr with Gods mercy
The last arc generally people Of Keen Intellectual rcci
tudo and le hope set aside for one cf Gods high
purposts "a hch having been fulfilled, His light VIII 20
shed upon them In the great hereafter. Mhs d.
DSfnsr1rf 90, Penn, Feb. 20, 1870.