Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-07-04
liberty and Religion.
Rv Rabbi /. Koplowitz)

tf3N lsibDl L. iNOpi'"tNH''
II IS n well-es;ablishsd theory that
poesy IL the cradle of philosophy. IT
there were no admiration for the beauty
and grandeur Of nature, and the diverse
capabilities of man. and no awe and vene-
ration for the majesty and holiness of God.
there would be no desire and love for wis
dom. and ultimately man would lack the
courage and the power OF investigating
the causes OF all phenomena. both OF
mind and of matter. Admiration OF
these virtues, however, gives birth TO
shirt Of love and veneration, which, III
turn. arouses in u a deep interest in
all that we love and revere.
Ii is also a theory founded on sound
reason, that liberty is the cradle OF re-
.lgion. Without freedom of body. will.
and mind, godliness. piety. and virtue
cannot have full sway in every occupa-
ton OF life The Bible informs US that
not until Israel had obtained their IL
berty from the severe and cruel bondage
of Egypt and were able to sing that
immortal song of libeIty's triumph were
they brought nearer to God to behold His
revelation, and to become the witness OF
truth. love. and salvation Thus We
see that as long as body and mind are
uslltT the sway Vi III ppMfif
the natural resources of mans mind and
intellect become, in course Of time, stul-
titled. AN evil which is a great menace to
humanity at large. To elevate a nation
10 the highest standard OF morality and
intelligence there must. first of all. be
inculcated the high conceptions of true
liberty and freedom. which will ultimate
ly lead it. as a happy band of patriots
nay, of brothers-to the true temple Of
God. whore His voice IL heard lin the
thunders and lightning in the thick
clouds. and in the fire; from the noun
tain-top and in the atmosphere. pro-
claiming: II am the Eternal. thy God" d"
But. alas the fate of liberty far from
being a pleasant one. Is constantly under
going the severe and bitter attacks of
persecution, tyranny. inquisition, stake.
and pyre And all this committed in
the name of religion, Yes. religion has
become deformed and adulterated. and is
heaping shame after shame upon her
noble and aged mother. Liberty. We
need not 20 back 10 those dark ages 10
trace the dangerous foe of liberty. No.
indeed. we can find II hero and there In
the garb Of some santfaced people, who
would. by their narrow-m indedness. BIZ
gotry. prejudice. and ignorance trample
upon the grand. sublime. and godly Con-
stitution OF our beloved land. the United
States OF America; who would like TO
turn the beacon-light OF liberty into
pit Of darkness. 10 suit their fanatical
and un-American IDEAS. by introducing
a mythical god sectarianism-into that
Constitution Of life and love How much
wiser II those hypocritical saints would
adopt the Constitution OF America into
their creeds. Surely. the dark clouds
of prejudice now lowering over the sky
90 American nraanarity .toulI va
ish in the golden light of liberty and
patriotism. fellowship and brotherly love
would reign triumphant.
Let us. then, Zealously guard and pro-
tect the sacred treasure OF liberty. GyOn
by the loss OF so many precious lives and
the ruin of SO many homes. Let us lift
our banner high and shout to the blue
sky. studded with brilliant stars. that
song which stirs our life-bloOd into deep
emotions OF love and gratitude: that song
which makes us all akin-the song OF
Liberty arri Religion