The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-09-20

mobbed in Baltimore for laundering from the
pulpit against slavery. This same Baptist min
lister was driven out OF Richmond, va,
for the same offense And later driven
from Louisville, KY, and not by churches either.
1t is about time, il would seem, that the
churches and the ministers were given tnesr
true position on these public matters. Bus
while We are doing this let Us not forget that
even a mans splendid anti-sIavery record or BIS
war record Will not make him a Christian
There are 8 number Of our il!ussrious heroes 70
whom we owe debt of gratitude that we can
never pay. who are also enemies of Christianity
This was their right. Constansin Francois Vol
ney and Charles B-adisugh were champions OF
human liberty; hut no one needs TO De told as 10
whether they were friends or enemies OF Christ
Ethan Allen, the leader of "The Green Noun
tain Boys" the captor OF Ticonderoga am
Crown Point, wrote 1.-The oraeies OF Reason
Since this noble hero saw ft 70 light Christian
ity with the same spirit that ne fought the Eng
Hsh, let no one try 70 put him on any other SIDE
OF this question.
And before closing this interesting and profit
able discussion one thing more which has been
called up should have careful notice Some
times that indefinite something known By many
as ''the churches has often been found on the
wrong side Of the leading questions OF human
ity. This must BE- admitted whether we Ike IL
o. not. Il will dawn upon Is. II II has not
already done SO, that those calling themselves
churches are in 8 position to make the fereest
war upon Christ. Some have done so; this, too,
is undeniable. And what If il be found that
some are st it now? What If there are those who
are pleased to call all the world besides heretics,
is there not enough clear, discriminating
thought in the world 70 see that what We are
dealing with is not church question in any
sense? Ny calling man or a set OF men here
tics, and they in turn calling me hereto Goes
not touch the question at issue in the
cst remote way. How does it help matters 70
point out the fact that some men who belonged
to churches were not Christians? Or on the
other hand, what would the effect De on this
discussion If even John Wesley could be 50
manipulated as TO be put among our fllustFtous
Unitarian d!vines7 IL would simply raise an
other question: "whose Christian record could
be safe from such piracy?' Might not the same
manipulation canoniZe Mr.. spurgeon, or Calvin,
or Paul, or Christ? Are we really to witness
this kind of theological iegerdemain? If this is
what we are to witness, let Us have the curtain
lifted higher, till the world can behold the per-
forrnanee; and II IL is not, then let IL drop for
ever. 'sDr Martineau 10 rated Christian in
England because he accepts the creed OF the
first century, love to God and love TO man."
Good; this will help Us into the light.
SO sure as Martineau has the love
to God, and the love OF man
expressed 10 Us IN the revealed will OF God in
the Holy Scriptures, that man has right 10 be
rated as Christian, not only in England but IN
all the world. This, too, regardless OF what
church ne may attend. And the test of this love
is found in that first century creed, love of Gods
revealed truth. The apostles AMI martyrs can
give the right hand of fellowship 70 DR.. Mar
tineau on that But when a man sees 1t TO
break with that first century creed and the
creeds of all the centuries are we not doing him
a serious injury by trying to force him into
friendship aud fellowship with God manifest in
Christ Jesus? We are now facing this question
with clearness Let Us not be afraid to admit
that men and churches may be on the wrong
side OF many vital questions touching human
many professors of religion who are now on the
wrong side of the temperance question;
many on the wrong side OF the great
social question OF marriage and divorce; let
Us remember that the word OF God is always on
the right side of all questions. And what this
world needs in order to get on the right side OF
all questions IS 10 get with these divine truths
which never change. The whole moral law OF
God centers in the crucifed and risen Christ
In this same Christ is the hope of all nations
Not because any man has said IL, or any church
believes it, but because God has said IL. God
has q right to reveal His will, and announce His
commandments, and 10 make the test of friend
ship TO Christ the keeping Of these command
ments- This He has done. The lightning bolt
OF heaven never asks permission OF any when
to dart or where to strike, nor does q second
fash ever come to apologize for what the first
one shattered. No more will the Ten Command
ments be reversed, or turned aside for any man
who may choose to stand in their way though
that man be as ilustrious as Emerson, James
Freeman Clarke or Edward Everett Hale. There
Is safety only on the side of truth.
G. J. BuscHErr.