The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1883-08-02
columbus Journal.l
Judge HOadly's Infidelity,

On Tuesday evening last, because
we had dared to publish an article
from the Cleveland Leader in regard
to the question of Judge Hoadly's re-
ligious views, the Times was pleased
to apply to us some most unchristian
epithets. We did not then care to
enter into a discussion of Hoadly' s
spiritual condition or religious belief,
as it was not in accordance with our
ideas of the proprieties Of the occasion
pending an interesting and somewhat
exciting family row, and moreover,
because the question seemed to be re-
ceiving a tolerably thorough vintila-
ton at the hands of the ancient and
honorable Democratic delegates who
were laboring in the interests of 9TH
er candidates. But that domestic
quarrel is for the present over, or ra-
ther it is transferred to another and
broader field, and we propose to say
word or two more on the subject.
It is fact which will not be denied
that Judge Hoadly is the vice presi-
dent of the Free Religious asocia-
tion." This is an organization hav-
ing its headquarters in Boston, and
the object Of which is "to promote
tie practical interests of pure religion; !;
to increase fellowship in the spirit,
and to encourage the scientific study
of man S religious nature and history,
and it seeks these ends by the method
of perfect liberty of thought" 1t
seeks "to subject the traditional au-
thority Of all special religious and al
legged revelations, the Christian no less
than others, to the judgment Of scienti-
fic criticism and impartial reason. 1t
would thus seek to emancipate reli-
gion from bondage to ecclesiastical
dogmatism and sectarianism. The
society furthermore Excludes from
it's fellowship all societies bearing the
Christian name and specially en-
phasisimg by creed or ceremony per-
sonaz deity.'
The report of the executive COM
mittee Of the society made to the
meeting held few weeks ago, at
which Judge Hoadly was elected vice
president, notes with evident gratiica-
ton "the general decline of interest
in the old theologies everywhere re-
ported, and constant increase in the
number who stay away from church,
and who are ready for the priniples
which free religion represents"
What we have quoted above is from
th.. Index of June 7, well known in
tidel paper, the organ of the society,
and sustained by direct contributions
of the society.
So far as can be CLEANED from the
report referred to, the executive COM
mittee Of the association occupies its
time principally in gathering data as
to the decline Of the religious spirit,
decreasing reverence for the Sabbath,
and the abolition of the Bible and re-
ligious instruction from the public
schools. These evidences seem to be
taken as proof of the advance of the
cause of Free Religion and suffi-
GENTLY indicate the character Of the
society of which Judge Hoadly is an
honored officer and member, and we
shall expect the nomination of that
gentleman as the Democratic stand
ard-bearer to give the Free Religious
association" boom which will in
crease its membership and influence
and largely extend the circulation of
its organ, the Index.
Judge Hoadly may be Masonic
Knight Templar, as the Times alleges,
but the sword of worthy and valiant
knight, consecrated to the defense of
the Christian religion, is dishonored
when drawn in advocacy Of such God
forsaken doctrines as are promulgated
by the Index newspaper and the Free
Religious association"