Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-01-25

Eiitors Of the Ecanebec journal
The large number of members who are
now assembled at the State House whose
biographical sketches show they have no
religious preferences little thought enough
notice would be taken of ii by the clergy
of The Capitol city to make it the subject
of their discourse for the past two Sabbaths.
Such being the cSse 1t has given more or
less mental anxiety to those who have
heard the various preachers handle the
subject.
Speaking from my own standpoint will
tr, {, explain my position and my reasons
for using the term mo religious prefer
ences" We deny that we are atheists or
in iiels. We have our own views of mans
day here below and his future, which do
nat differ much from any christian belief.
The universal objective point is heaven,
anl eternal happiness our reward. This is the
universal claim of all credes. We do not
pretend to cri,icise any ones way Of getting
there. but we claim the right to our views.
10 illustrate we will call San Francisco
heaven. but those of US who have been
there know it is,not) and We all want to go
there in seach of happiness. All persons
would look at the different timetables.
ench table claiming their way the
shortest and cheapest AMI best. The Bible
We will call the time table from which ali
Va ormaiion should he gained. Some would
~ by the Horn and some by the lsthmus,
sBd Others would choose the different trans
continental routes. but in time all would
n ach San Francisco and would think they
t,.uk the best way of getting there. Now
W. are willing they should and we want the
same prisile ge, for We might not count the
cust so closely but would take the best and
fastest route, and lose no time in getting
there by taking advantage of all the modern
III provements of travel. Now we will sup
pose they have all arrived ut San Francisco
and each one thinks his route was the
hest and now we hear all the different
stories of the different travellers by tele-
ri one, but have not fully decided what
route to take, but are inclined to take the
route which consumes the least time and
offers the best accommodation, and as We
can 90 but once we have not yet decided
upon the route. But the determination to
90 is well fixed in orr minds. and we trust
that our record may be such, as citizens
aud law makers rs to entitle us to free
pass. hut we have not yet expressed our
preferences as to the route.
We have another illustration which might
apply to our ease which reads like this :
You take handful of snow. place blue
glass upon it and it looks blue, Place a
rid glass upon it and it looks red, and SO on
until all the different colors have been used.
K move all the glasses and the snow is
lite. emblematical of purity. Now the
IT ferent denominations are looking at snow
through different colored glas ses but it is the
same white snow. (Chrissian religion. J
f. seems to me. rs we grow older the smoky
glasses of creed are being removed, and we
prefer to look at the snow ~ il Is without
gl,ss or color. and We think the time will
come when no religious preferences will be
appended to more. instead of less names,anti
We trust they will be God fearing and God
l.sing men. ready to act well their part in
he. day by day. as life is revealed TO them.
With the kindest regards for all preachers
OF all denominations we feel justified in
subscribing ourselves,
MnMBERs-WuH No RELIGIors PREFER
ESCks.