The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1880-07-15
POoRLY PAID Al D POORLY KIM
PLOYED.

Beecher, certainly, has done more II
damaging the cause Of the Christial
religion ttsa did Tom Paine in his day
or Bob IngersoIi in this generation
While Paine and Ingersoli den,
the fslth, snd present argument
against 1t, they confine themselves sim
ply to attacks upon the Christian re
ligion, and in both instances, though
out Of the church, these men have bee.
patterns of both decsncy and morality
and no damaging social charges were
ever brought against either Of them
Paine, 1t may be said, hss not secured
g just representation from his enemies
bis age Of Reason has been de-
nounced ~ atheisticsi, while it assaili
Christianity. and in position is deisti
csl, and declarstory Of belief in God
and ina future state. Paine was Wist
political writer, patriot and human
itsrisn and bold inventor, and our
own republic, which he served nobly,
aud foreign nations substantially &C.
knOwledged his services. and theil
people hopored him for his nobility OF
character and has patriotism. Ingersoll
is somewhat the counterpart OF Paine,
more generous, probably, while he is a
model citizen and social ornament.
No one denies that Mr.. Beecher is q
very great man. He has made himself
the greatest fashionable preacher OF
the age. Spurgeon became prominent
just after Beecher mounted the pinnacle
of pulpit fame, and while the one has
been naturally sensational, the other
has cultivated this art, and has 90
achieved for himself the reputation oi
building up the largest and weslthies,
church In the United States, the
membership of which is alike noted fol
departure from the simplicity and
vigorous Christian faith of the Pilgrim
fathers, and for the tensclty with which
they cling to man, through whom the
cause Of Christianity has been degrad
ed. While Paine and Ingersoll have
shaken faith IN the church of Christ By
attacks upon 1t, Beecher and the lesser
lights of the church, who patte n after
and revolye about him, even while oc.
cupying the c,tadels of Christ, have
been wilfully undermining these struc.
lures, until In many places they have
tumbled TO the earth, leaving wide
paths open for the attack of the enemy.
While none fail to exalt the virtues ol
one like Iugersoll, none deny the
genius and the grandeur of Beecher,
but it must be acknowledged that the
Christian and the moral world would
be better off without such men thar
with them. One attacks the faith oi
ages, while the other degrsdes it, and
the world has stood aghast st the mora
deformities that have been nurtured
and sustained, and with which society
has been defied, by church, clothing
itself with ssnctity, alone through 6
name associated with men and women,
who, in the bygone years, were ready to
renounce all for the cause OF Christ.
Thus are the hsrmonies of religion at.
tackled. The religion of Christ and
civilization have been agreeable
handmaids; side by side tEey
have advanced from Western Asia,
across Europe and into Africa, and to
the isles Of the ancient Brittons. From
Spain it boldly struck out across the
turbulant Atlantic, and the banner OF
light, planted over four centuries ago
on the eastern shores of the New
World, now waves over two American
continents. Civilization has advanced
with it to the Pacific shores and to the
islands beyond. From that day when
Christ directed his apostles to 60
preach TO all men, the word of God
has been spread by bold Christian
ministers amongst all nations and all
peoples. Humanity owes the true
Christian minister much, and 1t also
owes 1t to itself to be guided in mat
ters of faith by pure men alone. Hence,
no doubt, it is that Tom Paine welded
great influence, and hence it is that Bob
Ingersoll has proselyted many thought-
ful men. Outside even of the CUES.
tion of truth the il Auence of goodness
and:of purity, from the pulpit, or from
The rostrum, are beneficial to society,
but when the impure man defiles the
holy altar of God, { curse greater than
that which Great Jehovah directed
against the rebellious angels of heaven
should be visited upon the guilty
How carefully should the pulpit be
guarded; how carefully should these
Christian congregations protect this
sacred place; how we'll should it be
watched, and how zealously should 1t
be defended against the attacks of
sanity villains. A Christian minister
hss but one duty before him, and the
Christian and unchnstian world de-
msnd strict observance. The minis
ter who departs from his plain duty
first becomes the subject Of suspicion,
then of distrust; and while he is
watched by only few Of his congre-
CATION, everybody outside of the
church closely scrutinizes him, and IS
The minister goes, 90 goes the church.
The true Christian preacher commands
he respect Of every man, woman and
,hild in the community; the false one
% pointed to with donbt then with
and then he is scorned; the
one makes friends for himself, and
hence for the church; the other makes
snemies for the church and divides
congregation seaiHst the minister and
against each other; the one deserves
reward here aud should receive
L, and whateyer of good comes here
Ifeer is IN store for him; the other too
,ften receives the greatest rewards
aere, while he merits and viii recssye
of evil there il In thee hereafter.