The Indianapolis journal., 1883-05-19
DOUBLE SHEET.
CHURCH AND STATE.

be in vain. Such seems now one of the
probable issues The Church of Rome, al
most from its foundation, has assumed to
itself extra-religious powers From mat
ters pretaining to the spiritual welfare of
humanity 1t presumed to sit in judgment in
other things. This arose during the dark
ages, when in the priesthood was found all
or nearly all the learning of the time. 1t
was but natural that disputes and perplexing
questions should be referred to the clergy
for adjudication. The nose of
the papal camel having been inserted in the
tent of temporal affairs, it was not long until
1t insinuated its whole body, and in a man.
ner that grew more and more distasteful as
could not be easily driven out Its power
through religious reverence was so great
that it had things its own way. 1t took to
itself the high prerogative of crowning and
uncrowning kings. The kings and emperors
of Europe held patents to their thrones
issued only from the Vatican. But this vast
power has melted away in the light
of advanced civilization. Prince and
people began to think for them-
selves, and with broader thought came
bolder expressions of dissatisfaction that the
church should exceed its functions. But
few of the rulers in Europe now look to the
Pope to crown them. The first Napoleon in
Fited the Pontiff to Paris to crown him, and
the Empress Josephine held him a virtual
prisoner, but the Little Corporal finally
placed crowns on his own head and that
his unhappy Empress By a marvellous
revolution in sentiment even Italy has be-
come disenthralled, and, discerning the true
purpose of the church, now controls its state
affairs in accordance with the will of the peo-
pie, irrespective of ex cathedra bulls.
All this is but the natural result of inde-
pendent thought. The Church OF Rome was
not alone in its endeavors to interfere with
the political affairs of the world. The
founders of the American colonies were
driven to these then inhospitable shores by
exactly the same forces-a church exceeding
its legitimate functions Starting under
such circumstances our forefathers were
careful to preclude the possibility of such
imposition here. The church, while rever-
enced, was clearly given to understand that
it must not exceed its proper limitations.
Ministering 10 the spiritual wants of the peo-
pie, it is given the widest latitude. The
cta dc haol tbo,
all |. who would interfere. Priest and
preacher rabbi and evangelist, are each and
all guaranteed the fullest freedom in their
peculiar dealings with the eternal welfare of
man. Guaranteeing this the state reserves
10 itself perfect freedom in all secular af-
fairs. An attempt to check, restrain or re-
verse legislation by any illumination from
the see of Rome, or by the bishops of any
Protestant church, would raise tidal wave
Of popular indignation such as no other in
reference could cause. There is not church
in the world that would dare to officially
meddle with public affairs in America 1t is
well that it is SO. The church has high
office to fulfill. In the discharge of its re-
quirements the state stands ready to see that
1t shall enjoy perfect freedom within its
proper sphere. Outside of this it must not
venture. The intelligence of the people is
sufficient to insure wise administration of
public affairs. If the Judgment and con-
science of the people have not been educated
sufficiently to make them the safe crlstodians
of their own affairs, then has the church
failed to do its work well, and it cannot hope
to make amends through any proclamation.
This view is becoming more popular every
year. Confined to its legitimate object the
church must command the respect of the
world. But the people have reached that
point where they know of verify that state
affairs are distinct from religion. The state
ought not to dictate to the church, and the
church may no longer abandon its sacred
mission to mingie in matters foreign to it's
business. The head of the church once said:
''Render, therefore, unto Cesar the things
which are Cesar's, and unto God the things
that are Gods" Without going into argu-
ment the inference is plain. We have
duty to perform to the state independent of
the church, so that the church may not off
ciously follow us there except to require
that men discharge their political duties in
an honest and conscientious manner
OF all countries Ireland has been slowest.
perhaps, to realize this A large per cent of its
population are adherents OF the Church of
Rome. AS such they have ever been faithful
and valuable allies. Their fealty has never
faltered. Despite the fact that the church has
oftener interfered in its political matters
than with thnse of any nther conntru thn