The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-05-18
ELDER ETdNS'S views.
An Eminent shaker Elder Against Both Or
thodoxy and IIeierodoxy.

To THE EDITOR OF The SUN-Sir: The
world stage-the Shakers the spectators. That
is the way we view it. The passing panorama
Of national and political events. and the ever
shifting scenes in the mental and spiritual at
mosphere Of humanity. are 10 us matters Of
intense interest. Abstract ideas are Of immense
importance to people. II as a man think
eth 50 Is he" viii not nations practical life
sooner or later be the exponent-the outcome
OF It's abstract ideas2 A short time ago Hell
was enacted on the worlds stage. The getting
ny was elaborate. the scenes grand. the acting
exciting to the last degree. Tho characters
were editors. priests. lawyers. with popcs. car
dinals. and the holy inquisition in the back
ground. God il logical. and 80 are his minis
ters." as Mary Of England remarked when re-
buked for her religious zeal in torturing here
rs It any moro cruel for me to subject the
mortal body 10 exquisite pain for short time,
than II will bs for God to east their souls into
he'll fire for an endless eternity? ufll let them
temporarily to cause repentance. by which thew
may be- saved from niiii ation ininite in extent
and Infinite IN duration
Is not that logical. and is It not the basis OF all
religious persecution From the abstract idea
tint 1qi Furnishes SINNERS, thry, INNS mat IN
doing lik" him. they do both God and humanity
good service. Thus ure their tender mercics
cruel. Should people VINO have been exhaust
ing the resources OF theology and science to
raise the devil incHrnate him. make a great
ado over aim when they have been sue
cessfu In people who believe that the God
Of the Hebrews was the Deity. the foundation
is laid. the seed is sown for all things that flow
logically from that premise is II not the very
Ike their COZ DID Frrsman do any more
than any ~ the orthodox would do. were they
not make-he!eves. not genuine believers Ike
Miller. and Moody. and Fireman. Awake to
righteousness and sin not II the God Of
Abraham was the Deity ana he had a right 70 do
what we know was ahstra,tly wrone-to orier
to To lsfif n
a lamb for him. why could he not order Free
man 10 sacr flee his iive-yegr-old child to him 2
The Clergy have been teaching Freeman. all his
life, that all dcnd bodies can and will be raised
20 life again. Why should he not believe them 2
They have hcen teaching him the doctrine Of
human sacrifice ns lying ~ the very ioundulion
OF Christianity. He believed. and acted upon
the belief II God killed his own aud only be-
gotten Son. why should not Freeman Nil his
dRughter2 The wild fowl come home to roust. On.
consistency. art thou not Jewell DID not the
God Of Abraham order his descendants 10 sacri-
ile unto HIM whole nations of living, breathing
human beings, ana then curse them for letting
their humanity overcome their theology. and
leaving alive some Canaanitssl Would Com
stock, ms the ngcnt OF orthodoxy. shrink from
the logical deduction OF his premises Is not
society resting quietly on hed OF orthodox dy-
namite? A llttle more conclusion than kidle's
book is creating. and some holder man than
Moody or ComstOck Will rise up and declare
that the eternal salvation from nm eternal hell
of one human soul II OF more importance than
the freedom Of person. speech. press. and cOn-
science in all the States Of our Union. Crush
out Tue nun Nrfhff, lulpflSpn Bfhneit oHtfh-
c,se Kddle. and We shall have the pence Of
Warsaw III the vaults ure deep enough and the
walls thick enough TO deaden the cries and
groans. and absorb the blood Of the ylctimsl.
Tie calm quiet Of the orthodox holy inquisition.
We have the Tomhs.
There is no safety for any man or woman in
America. to-day, but in eternal vigilance and
eternal truth and justice.
II all human beings ever born, or to be horn.
could not bee saved except by murder-the
murder OF their own creator; II the atoning
blood Of Innocence must be shed for the wicked,
| would take my tate into my own hands and
drnounre the whole system of orthodox theol-
Ogy, with all IL wars and llghtings; blood she'd
ding. whether for food or fury; It's physical
resurrection. lind monopoly, chntiel ana wugea
slavery. including sex slavery; its horrible as
sumption OF power over human belief or un-
belief.
LIT NIL parties unite to carry ont the Ameri-
can Idea OF Il purely secular government that
shall protect each man and woman in their
pursuit OF happiness So long as they assume
no unjust power over other men or women.
Lot each be his aud her own standard Of or
thOIoNy or unOrthodOXy Secure to the atheist
the same rights rs to the Trinitarnn. the Dest
or PDiythest. and let the play 20 on to the edi-
iicHt on OF the stage gocrs-the un4rthodoA
shakers. L. W. EVANS.