Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-12-21
naiIp Arnnsbst soarnaI
AUGUS STA.
friday Morning, December 81, 1877.
Religious federation.


+. Merriam rs a pastor of Congrega-
tional church because OF his disbelief in
the doctrine of eternal punishment, has
been the means OF bringing out more
clearly before the public the growth OF
religious federation and independence OF
individual opinion in regard to matters
theological. Six centuries ago the lnqui-
sition was formally established its object
being to hunt out and punish heresy
Where il controlled all religious freedom
was forbidden. No man was permitted
under fear of pain OF torture and death to
utter opinions contrary TO those promul-
gated by the ecclesiastical autholi-
ties of the Roman Catholic Church.
Suspicion even that a person enter
tanned heretcal ideas was sutli-
cient to cause the confiscalon OF his prop
erty and carry him to the dungeon, the
rack and the stake. Under the Spanish
Inquisition. the general result from 1882
TO 1903. is estimated 10 have been as lol-
lows burned alive, 81 1872; burned in ef-
fgy, IL, $50; subj scted to rigorous pains
and penances. 29l ,456. This was the work
of the Inquisition alone, but the suffering
caused by religious wars $50 called) and
religious prosecutions outside OF the In
QUESTION vastly outweighed the horrors
and crueltes of that special instrument
for the exlirpation OF heresy.
Aud the Roman Catholics are not alone
In prosecuting heretics. Professionalism has
followed the example of the Papal church
in Furnishing heresy, though not to the de-
gree in zeal and cruelty OF The latter body.
Ireland furnishes an instance of a people
oppressed by an intolerant Protestant
church. Froude relates in his history the
cruelties perpetrated in EIizabeth's reign,
upon the Jesuit Campian and his
colleagues, by order Of the Queen.
Campian was subjected to the horrors of the
dungeon and the excruciating pains of the
rack, and after he was executed it was
found that the nails of his fingers had all
been drawn out by the roots to add to his
sufferings. The Puritans felt the persecu-
tons of the Established Church when they
dissented from its doctrines, and the Puri-
tans in turn prosecuted those who doubted
and turned from the creed of that people.
How the sanity Roger Williams was ban
ished, and the Quakers were cruelty treat
ed, for opinions sake, is familiar to all
readers OF New England history. Less
than half century ago few needed to
travel outside of the town they lived iu
to witness the fruits of religious bigotry
and intolerance.
But whatever consequences may result
nom the discussion begun and sure to
continue In the Congregational Church in
regard to differences OF opinion among its
members concerning the doctrine of end
less punishment, whether 1t strengthens
or weakens that denomination in numbers
or influence, the world will be better,
Christianity will be more honored and
prospered. if federation of opinion shall
prevail to the end as it seems thus far to
have prevailed. 1t is pleasant to see that
Mr.. Merriam, though hereto as judged
by the Orthodox creed, is vouched for as
q man of Christian virtues by some of his
brother ministers who disagree with him
as to the doctrine of endless punishment
1t ought not to be anything remarkable or
noteworthy to see Christian kindness,
respect and federation among Christian
ministers of different beliefs, nevertheless
such examples have been altogether too
rare, so rare indeed that when they do oc-
cur they form topic OF public interest
The world steadily moves towards pre-
feet freedom in religious matters. The
change since Torquemada is wonderful.
The Rockand Free Press states that at
the late election in the class of South
Thomaston, Vinalhaven and North Haven.
for representative in place of Mr.. Bas-
sick, resigned. the facts show that quite a
number OF fraudulent votes were cast at
the vinalhaven polls. Twelve democrat
ic votes were found 10 one single package,
which must have been cast by one person,
and investigation showed that the whole
number Of ballots cast exceeded the num-
Der Of names checked upon the list by
twenty-five. These Tammany practices
are getting altogether too common among
the democracy of our State.
The democratic papers are delighted
with the election of republican senator
in South Carolina. That solitary instance
of republican life in the bulldozed domin.
ions of Wade Hampton, is quickly caught
at and heralded in the North as an assur-
ance that there is liberty for black men in
the South. With an undoubted republi-
can majority in the State. why should not
the republicans be able to elect not on.
ly one senator but a majority of the sena-
tors in South CarolinaP Probably Butch.
er Butler can tell
Perhaps Senator Gordon may be GOOD
authority for the assertion that The prasi