St. Landry democrat., 1883-04-07
yANDAL REPLIES TO REVELATION.

yANDAL REPLIES TO REVELATION.
ST.. LANDRY PARISH, La, April 4, 'S3.
Editor ST. LANDRY DEMOCRAT:
The predatory article of .'Reyela-
tion," published in your issue OF the
Gath ult., was of such nature as to ex-
cite anticipations of a thorough and ex-
haustiye analysis Of the causes which
have produced the sad state OF affairs
described therein, and the remedial
measures necessary to be applied. In
stead Of this, there is nothing but some
illogical ideas laid down as the premises.
and a few assertions which stand I'M
su pported and consequently have little
force !; for instance, Revelation says
1.-THE cause of religion, which of course
has always been of the greatest mo
ment, seems to have lost, in a great
me asure, the enthusiastic support usu-
d lly accorded it, and the religious ele-
m ent of society seems to have relapsed
into condition of semi indifference.
The clergy and the religious press seem
Jealous in the good cause, and the bur-
den Of conversion falls entirely upon
Them
Upon whom should the burden Of con-
version fall il not on the clergy 7 This
description OF the religious state OF
affairs is a sad commentary on the mer-
it's of the Christian religion and the
a bilities of its advocates. In this coun-
try the widest latitude is given to cler-
gymen OF all denominations in their
te achings and practices. Church prop
erty is exempt from taxation, and the
generosity Of the people affords an I'M i'm 4
mense revenue every year. The secu-
lar press as whole gives its support to
all religious enterprises and frequently
advocates religious doctrines by giving
extended reports Of religious sermons
by eminent clergymen, and by the prin-
ciples Of justice which it disseminates;
yet with all this moral and material sup
port Revelation asserts that the re-
ligious interest of the people seems on
tile wane,' and further says that: I'VE
need legislative assistance not only to
govern the actions Of the people, but to
give financial add Could there be a
greater admission of the weakness of
religion than this assertion ? With all
the advantages that money, moral sup
port, and centuries of teaching could
give, we are told that it is necessary to
have the civil law enforce religious
doctrine, and, with a mOdesty no doubt
due to centuries OF culture, we are told
that financial aid is also necessary from
the civil gov eminent. In other words
the people at large must pay for reli-
gion whether they believe in it or not.
Notwithstanding the clause in the con-
stitution pertaining to this matter. If
the religious interest is on the wane, an
APPEAL for more energy and zeal and
shorter and fewer vacations and for
eign travelling excursions for pleasure
on the part Of the clergy might make in
& rest on the part of the laity. It is
true that some of. them work diligently,
yet there is no special reason why they
should be commended + for it any
more than one engaged in any other
profession who does the work faithfully
and well furthermore, it is supposed
that they are working for the rewards
of another world: hence the goods or
praises Of this are only as Christ prac-
ticed and taught.
sour sabbath day is desecrated by
hunting, fishing, horseracing, dancing
and the like Revelation asserts, yet.
he gives no proof whatever that any
of these acts are wrong What is "our
Sabbath day z, and how is it desecra-
ted by these acts If Rev. will show
wherein it is wrong, will, with your
permission, Mr.. Editor, show wherein it
is not.
After some more predatory remarks