, 1881-02-06
THE DISCIPLES.


GEN, GARFIELD As 4 PREACnER-THE
BRETHREN PROPOSE TO Eject 4 CHURCH
IN WASHINGTON.
SatekQ. Correspondence of TIE Chicago Tribune.
CLEVELAND, O., Feb. 4.-Observing this
week two-column editorial i'll the Christian
Standard, the principal organ OF the Dis
ciples' Church in the United States, in regard
to Gen Garield's religious tenets and tho
prohahle effect Of the coming Adnlinlstra-
ton on religious matters at the Capital, /
held conversation with a gentleman who
knows very well what Gen. Garfield actually
thinks on these matters. This gentleman, it
Is only Just to state, was 4 member of the
Disciples Church as carly as Gen. Garfield
himself
AS good an Illustration the gentleman
began, "of what Gen. Garfield thinks OH
these matters as is to be found is contained
IN an actual circumstance which tra1lspired
a few weeks after Gen. Gar1ield's nomina-
ton. Elizur Wright and Hobert Iugetsoll
called on The General while the latter was in
New York to ascertain just the very thing
you are seeking. Wright was the spokesman
He asked:
"'In case you are elected, are you going to
tatoduce religion into your Administration p
''Ycs, sir, am said Gen. Garfield.
"How is that" asked the Atheist
"'I am going TO maintain my right to be 4
Christian and your right to be an Atheist
alngersoll then said, that's right, # any
man is d. fool enough to be Christian he
ought to have the privilege"
The General thus believes in absolute
freedom Of conscience. lie is too broad
minded to make it possible for him to be
+ re 1,7ff "a
minded man who can see but one side OF
question. It would be an impoSsibility to
hold mind like the Generals down to the
tenets Of any sectarian theology. Hc was
trained iu lis youth in the doctrines Of Alex
ander Campbell, aud while they. are the most
spects the are in others very broad and lib
eraL In the first place they have no written,
cfeed OF doctrine and every man is left very
much to himself III his way of Interpretation.
~ 5unly one thing is insisted upon, ard that is
hneta ; Interpretation Ct those things that are
iataer IiI Of Alexander, used to say, When the
Bible Is silent, we are silent" and this be-
came sort OF maxim with the people.
Hnt me thing that would have natur-
a!ty made somewhat OF all impression upon
40 broad minded young man like Garfield was
Ne iact that this Church had no clergy or
priesthood specially set apart and consc-
ciated beyond the rest of the people; that
saea M thing as change of heart, or actual
Miraculous conversion. is Z thing unknown
d;ka " taese latter days, and that the essential
ulAetence between saints aud sinners is that
guy one have determined to do well, or as
Neli as they are able, while the other have
iuaoe no such determination. The Church
nssneses neither in loud nor long prayers, but
~ ne members are very hospitable and friendly
1iaa dM iaAily nature Of their churches some
Hlafs = the means Of bringing about loud
tamuy jars, but when any iiielllber is as
salleo from without all those from within
immediately flock to his assistance. They
rts ne most brotheriy Of all denominations,
9na: 9nolus: Behold how these brethren dwell
togeNer IN unity This is the fact that
~ 80 Aaae many assert that the DlsciplcS
~ ~ eaanisll, and this is undoubtedly
re cIss "a the sense intended. Alexander
Isa1mpoel was severe student Of John Locke,
~ ana no religious sect Of the present day has
u makny outcroppings Of the Lockian phi
1ppsopayas that which he undoubtedly started.
dtle dtnele IS probably not Que member Of the
n6r.fanl n61.En n hundred that knows that meta
rass d1s;cs has anything in the world to DO with
ihe1rslloh, and much less that the fact Of Camp
~ IT. having become en,bued with the sensual
H. ae s spnaosopiy was the cause Of Ills having
~ t.es especially opened upon the subject
1sh;oap - ;oaaplsin and conversion. fhe doctrine
NV %aita nas maize OF many 4 man an intldel
int. = eG4t1Pttll Il lClipluuS Ic1Ol1lGI. IL
ne.9s: ~pA 1rom his mind much of the religious
~ n%'ssuclsm that had prevailed then and re-
~ p.eaceo II with the re;lsonings Of Des Cartes,
n np oa,s vas In reality the philosophical father
n bpt H to return to Gen. Garfield. We're he
rh,nraS;W nSW Engiand and should he attend the.
nutca cnn,a Where hisnind and religious training
"Tn,a naturally incline him to Eo lie would be
1iG;astsar1an. But the fact is, ile is not re-
H. tHh!gmHist m!st at all. He was cllristened among
H.. S .nisclpies;. many Of his oldest and best
theIo. thsous aye within that denomination, and
ipayyo Woold 4, be greatly hurt should he
so rave ,d T. Then he has 10 desire to do
tha lure aagIe ATE certain charms about
sat, aT plialltlye ways Of conducting religious
th''ees t. Which are sill practiced among
is people and when the new church
afasned foraanned at Washington it may be taken as
na,'rs natSsone conclusion that it will be the most
1WN!al 1Watt N the city for many years to come"
lief ~ nat M 90 you consider Gen. GarfieId's be-
w! ~ !Gllg1ous matters to be s''
panar aon 1 nave often of late seen little news
81 l han summaries Of the belief Of the Disci-
nave you not o''
thess yes; there is 10 difficulty In getting
near ~ ont what want is q statement as
GsT6eiSd - you ean give itof the belief Of Gen.
.~ee9 " co. course, could not pretend to make a
~ @eE any Ole, but eau piva ,ny oniniOp