St. Landry democrat., 1889-06-01
Soul Liberty.

The soul needs to be free to act, relig-
iously, towards it's God. 1t is contrary to
the principles of the early fathers of this
great Republic, to deprive any person of
religious liberty, !. e., to prevent, in any
way, one from worshiping God according
to the dictates of his own judgement and
conscience. 1t is also contrary tosthe Con
stitufion of the United States 10 deprive
one of their religious liberty.
1t was the lack OF soul freedom that
drove the Puritan fathers from Great
Britain to the new world, seeking place
where they could worship God under their
own vine and fig tree, where IT, ere would
be no one to modest or make afraid.
national church was established in each of
the countries of Europe; they who differed
from the established religion in opinion or
practice were liable to coercion, loss of
property, civil disabilities, Imprisonment
and even death.
This state of things was one of the chief
forces that produced and molde d the settle
ment of those British colonies in America
which at length became the United States.
But, although many of the colonies came
10 these shores in order to enjoy religious
liberty for themselves none of them at
first had learned to regard religion as sep
crate from the State. On the contrary, the
best of them expected 10 establish rellg'
ious State. In some colonies particular
forms of religion were set up, and some
articles of faith were established. In
South Carolina, New York and Virginia
the Church of England was established by
law. In New England kind of theo:rrtlc
government was attempted. Among these
colonies violent efforts were made to
do Te1 a
the high distinction of being the first
State that, separating entirely civil gov
eminent and religion. recognized 10 its
constitution the right of every man to alb
solute religious liberty. This separation
of religion from secular affairs, having
once been perceived and acknowledged,
was rapidly accepted in the colonies, so
that when the constitution of the United
States was formed these articles were made
part of it:
mo religious test shall ever be Iequired
as q qualification to any Office or public
trust undeErthe United States. :" Congress
shall make no law respecting an estab-
1ished religion or prohibiting the free
exercisG thereof" The constitution of
the several States contain similar pro-
vision 1t has become settled American
pr,nciPle, that any religious organization
Is oy RTshnature separate from civil gov
ernr lent and that, as to it, all persons
are 3eaual and free before the law. The
1stt >ence of American principles of prac-
ice mas been very powerful over Europe
<and other parts of the world. liberation
/ in religious matters is becoming general
and great progress towards liberty OF
worship has been made. In France, diff
ferent denominations are aided by the gov
eminent in Germany, the imperial gov
eminent interferes little with the right of
worship in Russia the public opinion Of
Christendom in general, and of the United
States in particular, has mitigated the
severity of autocratic control verTellgious
affairs Spain and Italy have been reyoiu-
tionized and under the Vatican, even,
liberty of worship is enjoyed.
If SO great blessings have come from
soul liberty granted by the laws of the
civilized world, surely Gods truth is not
silent on the subject
II is abundantly taught in the Scriptures
that we are personally responsible unto
God for ourselves, and not another. Fol
we must all appear before the judgment
seat of Christ, that every one may receive
fha things done in his body according te
that he hath done. IL. Cor. v: 10.
The religion of Christ is personal mat
tar between the soul and its God. The
sonl should be free to act as it is impressed
hv the Scriptures. No one else, father
mother. brother, friend, priest preacher
STATE. society or church. has the right te
come between person and his desires tt
worship God according to what he believes
N be right. We do. not insist upon bu
one thing, viz: anyone desiring peac'
With God should search the Scriptures fol
himself pray God to direct him, and the1
act as he is impressed. There is no othe
safe way Of settling the question of eterna
life. Now, ia all candor, should this in
alienable right of every person De inter
runted2 Should any one come in and So.
.ssou shalr' or syou shall not5" To hin
dsr one from acting out his convictions Q
dnty toward God is relic OF the darl
asss. Il belongs to semi barbarism, ant
Mt 10 the light and liberty of the nine
,ssnth century. So our position clearl.
dafngd Is. lei every one study Gods eterna
tr",h for himself, decide for himself ant
at f,r himself.-Ch Christian Visitor.
What She Gould.
.sshe hath done what she could" wa
.ba snlendid eulogy which our Lord pro