The Hawaiian gazette., 1879-04-16
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY.

RELIGIOUS LIBERTY.
believe 10 religious liberty. for it makes of
every professor better man but | do not be-
lieye 10 RIGHTEOUSNESS in sinful habits and rules,
and in hebetating and Supplying society, in the
name OF any religion or creed. / agree that no
religious doctrine has right to interfere with
the laws of the country but also believe that
no State has the right to dictate and to enforce
the observance of any religious dogma or cere-
mony. ] regard the unwritteu laws of God, as
revealed on the pages of Nature and history and
civilized society as holy as any revelation in the
Bible-yes, boiler for He is speaking in them
Himself, without any intermediator, prophet or
teacher, in His divine, omniscient and inimitable
language. consider celibacy as a wrong, though
it is respected by another church as q sacrament,
because it is against the laws Of nature Polyga-
my, again, consider as SID and disgrace upon
society, though 1t is cherished by the Mormons
as q holy rite; because it is detrimental to mod
ern civilization. am not in favor Of immunites
to be granted to any church or religions socie.
ties and again. au bitterly opposed to the
system by which the promotion of public deceit
aud gross superstition is tolerated by granting
licenses to astrolOgers, sorcerers charmers clair.
yoyants and coDjurers.
lntemperance is great evil, which good and
pious men and women are trying to check every
where impurity and immortality are still greater
evils, and they are restrained by law and noble
hearted society thus the victims have the golden
opportunity to be redeemed again but for the
crimes OF poisoning the minds Of the people with
superstition. and thus causing many to despair,
or TO become crazy it seems, we have no remedy.
And intemperance has not caused so many sui
cides, by q long way as the spiritualistic gather.
ings, and gambling has not sent so many victims
to the lunatic asylums as the privileged and Ii
censed astrologers, fortunetellers and mediums
1t is public shame that, whilst medical quack-
cry is forbidden by law in this city, (San Fran
cisco) quackery more dangerous to the public
welfare more detrimental to society the spirit
ualistic quackery-is tolerated licensed and thus
privileged.
1t is disgrace to our enlightened century
that. whilst the publication Of furthering low and
degraded vices il forbidden such deprivation
of human character is allowed to parade in print,
and to entice to utter ruination the innocent and
the despairing. r"rr
THE FAITH OF JEW.
There is no rivalry and competition between
these people and the synagogue. they have few
followers, ii any, OF my persuasion. An Israelite
will cling to bis creed and synagogue or none at
all. But am speaking to you as an American
Rabbi, who loves bis country, loves this-San
Francisco. CalIfornia-his adopted State and
city loves his felow-citizens irrespective of creed
and nationality and feels tender compassion
for all who have or might become dupes of so
gross premedtated imposItions. say, if sorcery
and witchcraft and mediums are a truth. and
have the tendency to elevate mankind to their
highest destiny, then why tax their profession 2
Ii the aims Of their teachings are TO enlighten,
to improve the human mind, and to obliterate
vices and sins from society, why do you not grant
them the same rights as the priests anu teachers
of other denominations But, if their profess
sions and dIcts are destructive to the welfare of
man. and injurious to the youth and unsophisti-
Gated. in short, if their doings and dealings Is
fraught with evil why should such harmful
craft be licensed and tolerated?
IL is the greatest mistake in the world to at.
tempt to suppress evil doctrines by high taxa
lions. 1t will only work like all protective duties
it will only give charm to the very object.
because it is more expensive and becomes thus o
luxury.
consider the re.introduction of witchery, aAd
all professions associated with it, as the greatest
misfortune of our modern times. 1t makes the
senses blunt and dull : it hrutalizes the character
it fills the heart with unjusti6ed hope or dread
OF fate; it weakens the energy Of manhood and
enfeebles the victims in their higher aspirations
Witcbery 10 any form Is opposition to phlloso-
ply. science and art. 1t lessons the self-respecf,
breaks the will, and makes of the followers per-
feet tools. -s7-
TIE REMEDY FOR THE EVIL.
How to get rid Of this evil Suppress it; do
not issue licenses for such professionals forbid
it. | demand it, not 10 the name Of religion. but
10 the name Of psycho-bygienic laws, upon which
the welfare Of the nation 10 resting / demahd