The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-12-27

NN%N.<> reach n g the
E@>@y truth and show
vs. ing II. Being also
facility for propegating error, il is more
precise 10 say that regulated liberty, that
is. liberty harmonized with intellectual
and moral laws, IS needful 70 discrimi-
nation between error and truth, not only
in thought but in speech and in act.
federation implies the power not 20 tol-
crate. Intolerance may be the name Of a
feeling or OF an active force-a feeling Of
repUgnance and aversion, or force of re-
sistance and suppression. In either
Of its two applications the name
is apt 70 have moral
quality. So far as persons, opinions, insti-
1 tutions, about Us, have moral character,
both our feeling and action in relation 10
them, as being tolerant or intolerans, will
be reelection OF that character. Morality
requires that our feeling towards them
shall not be uncharitable-that our action
towards them shall not be unjust In the
one case, there is question Of right; in
the other, OF rights. In each case there is
limit TO liberty. Our subject now being
liberty in religion, and in Christianity, re-
igion and morals being inseparable. the
whole discussion lies in the ethical sphere.
Christ being a King, His church being
Kingdom, Christians being His subjects,
il Is beyond dispute that loyalty TO Him
and TO His Kingdom IS Christian obi
cation. II is really as much part OF that
obligation Is personal obedience, both be-
ing necessary fruit Of the reception OF
the Faith, OF enlistment or citizenship
in the commonwealth. This is not only
in the reason Of things, but il Is in the
Lords haoitual affirmation of the radical
and permanent contrariety between His
Kingdom and that of Satan and the
World, as TO their principle, and their
practical antagonism as forces. 1t is
recognized, and stress is put upon it,
throughout the teaching of the apostles,
and not only as regards the duty Oh ex-
plicit testimony, but as 10 visible associa-
ton, like intermarriage and religious
festivals.
The point of question is: In what man
ner, by the use of what instruments. by
the exercise Of what kind OF power, shall
this radical and eternal opposition be
manifested on the side Of the disciple Of
the church?
Regarded scientifically, there is nothing
much more irrational than proposal TO
control the course of opinion by an appli-
cation OF any kind OF physical force or to
protect the truth by external pains and
penalties. The incongruity is so grotesque
that We never cease 70 wonder how il has
happened that among the clever perse-
cutors and acute inQulsitors none should
have been dlsmayed by the absurdity.
1t IS so impossible 10 bring the
two things into relation-orthodoxy
and penitentiary-that philosophy
and logic have TO be put as completely out
OF the way as mercy and pity. 1t is like
Undertaking TO stop river-hood by can
nonade OF artillery; like putting out tire
10y windmill; Ike saving harvest from
frost or drought by building q wall.
Where hierarchy or synod or conclave
goes about choking heresy by coercion,
II virtually abandons the whole ground,
whether OF Revelation or pure reason, on
which Spiritual Kingdom rests; sGrren-
dering the Faith to material:sm, the
Church 10 the world. Yet the idiOtic trag-
edy goes on, because the patrons OF Chris
tlanIsy do not believe in CHRIST, and i
grim or angry pride IS too much Tor eoul-
mon sense.
We have to co with the question OF re-
I hgiOus liberty rs it is related not to a past.
but present condition. II IS . condition
OF diversity. Many religious Bodies ex-
Isl together, not so muCh side by side IS
inter mixed IN tae local population, ana in
constant mUtua! proximity II not in con-
tact. Theoretically, and 10 large extent
practically, 1t Is & condition 10 the lndly;d-
ual OF free choice between them. Each
has Its own standard OF belief. name. mode
OF mem eershlp, rules OF proceeding. in
ternaI Misunderstanding Ike 4
government. Normally taev are al.
Chris;ian. Protessedly they all favor re-
! lglous freedom, except the logical and
consistent followers Of the Roman or
Latin Obedience. Jesultism alone IS in
heFently, originally, and fatally, tyran-
meal
Now, while all these groups of the Chris
tan family are alike IN owning allegiance
/ - Jesus Christ, and should take Their law
OF toler&tion anu OF charity from Him and
from his Revelation. 1t is none the less
true that ea OF them puts Up0n Curi Is
IA" Its own Interpretation, and applies il
IL accordance with is own legislative or
economical provisions. II has what may
he called, IL sense more or less exact,
jurisdiction. Il must therefore have. y,re-
sa1aoiy, standard. rale. canon. toWA.ch
Us teachers 4 not Its IacI grrs must con-
form, ana by which they may be tried
" nat that shall oe. Il j. l9c no authority
( tut Itself u prescribe. This deuomlua-
toN~I independence : with Prote>tauts
one o. The chief principles o1 religious
liberty, and under our national govern
ment IS secured uy a constitutional guar
aafy.
BY necessary consequence the authority
IL each stance IS confined 20 The vs.un-
t@FE society o. particular organization.
he limits %. liberation or OF .Stlp.Ine
/ are co,ermiGoGs with the limits IL the
holy. Mutual Vigilance. connection.
preservation. and jealousy are likely
- keep those boundaries wca defined, and
even state interference Ca1 Lol disturb or
confuse them.
Is there, then, any common ground. any
common rG.e Tor them all, where indyId-
/ Ha- freedom : checked and authority taxes
is l.acrs
IAeJlosscaily. or in respect 70 doctrine.
/ ecc-SsjA> t.Ca.iy. or in respect 10 uoii.v and
Tiiaai. Z would appear tina; there is none
10 sI.prcUe. determining voice 80 saw Tor
t4eE Gil. or for TGOTe than one. Thus far
and no farther" Thou shalt, ana thou
shalt not"
IGt there Is another Court. another
Code another Tribunal There Is p Throne
q! t,f-ht, statute Of the Almighty, a
Mora. JCGSUeut-Se9t. In other words
he issue : transferred from the sphere OF
CoEoatlc affirmation - the sphere Of
ethical integrity. Whatever other liberty
/ men or ministers may have or exercise.
tAsY nave not liberty "a break their en-
Et"'rnts- Contracts must lie fulfilled
ir.n.-,es must lie kept Vows must he
- 4TGe5t. What man has cuvenaute,i
W--A other men 10 teach. be must
I te2tA ;aat. and not something
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