The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-07-11
A. p. A. CHRISTIANITY.

There has been considerable criticism
OF the Rev. Charles H. Eaton Of New
York for his opposition TO the A. p. A.
movement, and the reverend gentleman
has thought 1t proper to preach SER
mon in WHICH he states his position, and
his position is certainly very strong one.
He points out the inevitable effect. II not
the real purpose OF the organization In
these words:
II undertakes, while Offering a solution
OF political problems, really 10 foment
sectarianism Early In our nations his
tory religious liberty was made one OF
our institutions. This organization. how
ever, that Is now growing at the rate OF
1000 members n week. says that IL Is the
first duty Of an American citizen 20 ey-
ercise intolerance. II proposes TO oppose.
socially as we'll as politically. all who
give their honest allegiance TO the Roman
catholic church. I'm Massachusetts, such
a movement led 10 violence and blood
shed This movement I'm lts tendency
leans TO revival Of those dark days.
As to this there can be no question. The
stated purposes OF the organization are
the social and political ostracism VI
catholics. and wherever It has developed
any strength there has resulted the bitter
ness and hostility Of a sectarian feud.
The great boon OF religious liberty and
liberation which our forefathers labored
TO establish forever In this country has
been shaken. In places where the A. p.
A. has obtained control through the re-
publican party. and It has obtained none
otherwise, there has resulted the most
shameless persecution OF all dissenters
from ordinary professionalism, Colorado
has been a hotbed Of A. 2. A. sentiment,
and doubtless much OF the recent law
lessness In that state may be traced di-
rectly TO the intolerance and disregard Of
constitutional principles instilled by the
teachings Of this order. But none Of
these manifestations are consistent with
professionalism or with Christianity of any
kind. They are the acts OF irreligion.
They could be done only by men who
have no religious restraint whatever
The function of the Christian in politics
is very fairly stated by Mr.. Eaton thus:
The only rigat we. as Christians. have
In such matters, II 10 insist that there
shall forever be a division between re-
ligiOn-I mean sectarianism-and politics.
OF course political questions founded on
religious belief will come up, and we
must settle those question at the ballot
box. The day will come when a man
who does not vote will be unworthy the
name Of citizen. To vote is as much an
act of religion as prayer. But while we,
as prOtestants. may have our views as
10 public school funds, for instance, we
have no right TO organize in secret
against a class of believers, even though
we may have the smallest sympathy with
their form Of worship. There is but one
basis for religious tolerance and that Is
a common allegiance to the personal
Christ, not in the same creeds, but in
love of his character The American pro-
tective association builds a wall between
loving and living hearts. Is not our ma
ton in a maelstrom of political COM
mercial problems? Why, then, turn our
guns against each other? We should
carry flag of truce on questions Of
ecclesiastical government, and fight forces
directed against all forms of religion.
The primary principle Of Christianity
is opposition to evil, and men would APP
proach much nearer to it if they would
devote more time to fighting the agencies
of evil and less time in fighting other
Christian sects Other sects may not in
ones opinion be doing as much good as
they might. but they are trying to do
what they can in their way, and it is far
better 20 let them alone and exercise
ones pugnacious instincts in conflict with
agencies that are producing evil and evil
only Nothing suits the devil better than
for Christians to fight each other.