Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-04-23
\ Layman's Rcioinder 10 n Presbyte-
rian Pastor.

Laymam's Retoinder to n Presby fe-
rian Pastor.
To the Editor of the Dispatch
"a Presbyterian Pastor" savagely
berates me for maintaining that human
aw Furnishes men only for its violations
and makes no inquiry into the morals
or soul Of the offender. lie asserts
that human law makes inquisition as to
the soul-the spiritual conditioner
the offender. | ask him then to ex-
plain how the law hangs a man who
has truly repented Of his crime, who
is willing to make all possible repara-
ton, and who has given the most indu-
bitable evidence of his spiritual regen-
Grafton? His soul, washed by the
blood of Christ, is clean and pure yet
be must hang. 1t is plain, then, that
the law asks no questions about the
soul Of the culprit, makes no inquiry
into its condition. If it did, let /" A
Presbyterian Pastor" tells us how it
hangs a man whose sins have been par
doned and whose soul is pure.
But my assallant gives us his proof
that the law does look into the soul.
And what is his proof? The law, he
tells us, looks beyond the act, at the
motive--at the state OF the SOUL" Is
soul identical with motive? Do not the
inferior animals have motives, and, if
so, souls, according to "A Presbyte-
rian PASTOR? A horse may kill a man
accidentally or playfully, or the horse
may come with backed ears and baleful
eyes and bite and kick his owner to
death. The horse displays a motive
malicious, murderous motive. Has
the horse therefore soul? To assume,
then, that the law looks into the soul
Of man because it seeks to ascertain
the motive Of his crime is clearly non.
sequitur.
Government must not invade the do.
main of morals and Christianity was the
doctrine laid down. a Presbyte.
rian Pastor" in denouncing this doc
trine, maintains, by necessary implica-
ton, that it must. Then to what ex-
tent? If a Church dispenses what may
be regarded as false and dangerous doc.
trine, then must government interpose,
close its doors. and disperse preacher
and congregation? ] believe that the
only source Of pure morals is the Gospel
Of Christ, and that we must look to
it, and to it only, for rules Of
e,
and absolute divorce Of Church and
State, and hence government, to teach
morals, can teach only pagan morals.
If government may use the sanctions Of
religion to teach morality, then we have
again the abhorred union Of Church and
State. The doctrine of :" A PreSby-
terrain Pastor" cannot stop short Of this
conclusion.
| will not indulge in the yindictive
vituperation which flows so freely from
the pen Of "A Presbyterian PASTOR"
but l will venture mildly to suggest to
him that his notions Of the relations of
religion and government are rather
crude. "My kingdom is not Of this
world" says One, whose mandate and
example he would do well to respect.
Religion allied to politics or united in
any way with government is soon
shorn Of power for good. History from
the days Of Constantine until now is
fruitful of illustrations. lie is not a
friend, at least not an intelligent friend,
of religion who would, in any way or
to any extent, re.establish this connec.
ton.
Thousands upon thousands of the |
best and most intelligent citizens of |
this country believe that the present |
tariff works more injustice and breeds !
more corruption in life and morals than
any law that human wit has ever de-
yised. According to the logic Of "A
Presbyterian Pastor" the ministers OF
the Gospel should throw open their
churches for tariff discussions and !
themselves lead the way. No ques-
ton Of politics is destitute Of moral
considerations. Such considerations |
are not infrequently the most !
important and conspicuous. If we
are to follow the logic CON-
mended to us, let our preachers
from stump and pulpit enter into every
political canvass, as they are doing
notably in some parts Of the country.
God save us from prostituted pulpit,
The temperance movement brings with
it the plans and modes that prevail in
the States from which it comes-States
where less crime, it is claimed, is COM
mitted than here; and yet where crime
that transcends and comprehends all
other crimes is so common that it is
not classed with crimes the crime
that undermines the very foundations
of moral and social order-the crime
of divorce. The marriage relation is,
in effect, abolished; for that can
not be called marriage which may be
cancelled at pleasure for almost any
cause or no cause. The very highest
dignity it can claim is legalized and
formulated concubinage. | prefer to
draw my morality from regions not
practicing this God-defying abomina-
ton. A LAYMAN.
Vote, Daring To DO Right
To he Editor of the DiSD1fch