The San Francisco call., 1896-02-29
PLAIN WORDS OF
DR. V0ORSANGER,
Strong Denunciation of All
Politico-Religious
Bodies.
DANGER TO THE NATION
The Evils of Sectarian Hatred
Painted in Graphic
Language.
MEMBERS CALLED TRAITORS
MEMBERS CALLED TRAITORS.
Organizations of Certain Kind De.
scribed as Societies Composed
of Traitors.

Rev DR.. Jacob VoorSanger went consid-
eraoly aside from the beaten path in the
SUBJECT and manner of treatment OF his
lecture last night. He spoke of "Sec-
tartan Religions and Political Societies. !"
There was the usual well-tilled auditorium.
He said:
Thomas Jefferson. writing from Rome in the
himself as follows
Il DO seem TO live in ancient Rome; the en-
PlIe o4 the Csesars Is once again alive, and il
seems 10 me that we are threatened with the
INVASION OF the Gotns and Vandals and the
other barbariAns of the north The noble
palaces seem TO be threatened with destruc-
tion, and ruinatIon and barbarism is waited
iFom the north into the shadows of Italy.
i 4ook forward with some uneaSiness 10 the
nineteenth century influence. | do not know
what spirit OF the past may be waited into it."
These are significant words. Let me para
phrase them. l look forward with some un-
easiness 10 the twentieth century, because we
90 not know what spirit of the past may be
waited into II from the ancient times.
1t seems that the world cannot progress upon
the road TO perfection unless occasionally it
must retrace Its steps. 1t seems at times as if
mans nature is not satisfied unless II can sink
back into the very depths Of the mire of an
Gent times.
In former years they opened the dungeons,
put you on the rack and invoked all the agen-
cies OF torture TO persecute and to-day-it
seems at least so-they are trying TO accom-
pllsh the same object by conspiring against
Ing the ballot-ooN the instrument of treason.
Before we address ourselves to the subject
announced IL would be well to state in concise
Terms what We have en0eavored to convey in
the preceding four lectures. No further proof
Is required IN support of the fact that the re-
lgious spirit has materially assisted in up
building the country. We recognize il, with
profound gratitude, principally in the moral
character OF our people and in the growing
tendency 10 let the processes OF peace arbitraIe
between man and his neighbor. In earlier
o. times man was enabled TO witness the organic
ing force OF religion. Ii Is difficult TO draw a
distinction between the eXcellency OF the work
OF Catholic priests and Protestant missionaries,
when both marched forth 10 carry the advan-
tages OF European civilization into the forests
pTlmeYal OF America.
But these pioneers do not so much represent
the church that sent them forth as the religious
spirit that helped the settlement OF virgin
SOIL that the law OF God might be witnessed
and eXemplihed. Forms are nothing. The
spirit that lnhibiIs them is the operating infu-
ence. Perhaps it is somewhat difficult to make
Eectarians understand that religion is greater
than the form OF government in which IT is
presented. II all men understood this perhaps
there would be neither sect nor schism
Marvellous IL is that the worst passions OF
humanity are stirred up by the clashing OF
theological weapons The greatest selhshness
-@ot sects lies in their refusal TO do each other
justice. One can see no good in the other. \
3 recognition of coordinate function seems i'm
possible. Let me once again express my con-
. viction that our constitution was is an in
3 strument for founding and maintaining a
secular government, in which no church gov
such pertains to any corporation
organized under the laws of the State.
In view, OF the continuous friction
between the Christian sects it is best to refuse
recognition to aught but that general religious
influence that is accepted by the masses OF the
people without as well as witnin the church or
synagogue, That general influence, as we have
seen. perVades the state and all civil institu-
tiOns organized and established under its
aegis. II presides in the sanetuaries of legisla-
tion and justice; IL enters schools and colleges,
and everywhere culuvGtes that relation be-
tween the people and the Supreme Creator
that fmmemorialy has been recognized as the
prime factor in just, equitable and peaceful
government
May now, in all kindness, ask OF our citi-
zens this question: Why not let well enough
alone? Many seem 10 be incapable of grasp
ing. not alone the beauty of non-sectarfan re-
lgion, but-also the advantage of q Government
unlnduenced by any expression OF theological
bias. Perhaps controversies unavoidable.
IN the limitations of our in lellect we shall
always have - come 10 different opposite
mental conclusions l can understand the
nature OF religious controversy and explain, If
not justify, the Vlrulence with which they
carried Oh Conviction inspires tenac-
ity OF thought, unaffected by argument.
The greater lovers OF truth are some
times the most intolerRnt. F6naticism is
sometimes-not always-an expression for
holding received teachings against the
world 1t is ca pable both OF sacrifice and OF
being sacrificed. The man who persecutes and
who is persecuIed may both have the courage
OF their convictions. Isay, then, that can
understand the nature OF the friction between
religious denominations. All deem themselves
right All-while recognizing the general
principles OF religion they operate on man
proclaim their own Interpretation TO be alone
conducive to salvation. While we can under
stand this warfare we must also understand
that as long as ii endures the peace OF the state
is endangered. Controversies weaken religion
and show up the ittleness OF the antagonists
They have q tendency 10 impress the people
with the poverty OF the methods selected Tor
the dissemination OF truth. Ii religious men
use cudgels, or enter the arena as prize-fght-
ho aorafa, will Sfa nd ~
at the sorry spectacle or wonder why religion
is made so cheap. And yet the matter is
wholly expiicabfe. We are very far from per-
fection-thc best of us. And out of the love OF
our own faith, out OF the stress OF our conv ic-
tfons, often grows our intolerance OF other
Bpt that love of faith and its accompanying
Intolerance of other faiths is, perhaps, at the
bottom of all the unhappy experience through
which the people OF these nited states are
now passing, The country is agitated from
East to West. The old story OF religious con-
troversy is heard again in the land Wnat Is
lis object2 To prove the truth OF TINS or that
creed? Not at all. That in itself might be
promotIve of sharpening the faculties OF the
contestants and bring out same phases OF reli-
gious truth. Its object is tantan nount to an as
sertion that our secular government is unsta-
be unless il consents 10 the interference OF
sectarian religion. That confession rests upon
an unholy ambition, hence the object is an un-
Tne 1aet is that the sects are growing rest
less again. Old feuds, supposedly buried or
out once more. Each creed deems itself the
best again, and presents claim to sectarlan-
izing The Government. In their efforts 10 dc
so they exhibit the worst elements OF that
partisan nature that erstwhile favored perse-
cution.e They openly advocate violation oil
the rights OF conscience and free speech, the
dearest rights OF a free-born citizen. Inere
have been unorganized and organized efforts
of that kind. We all know of efforts 10 amend
the constitution that 1t recognizes God
Beneath the suggestion OF that amendment
lies g theological ambition TO force upon the
coUntrya sectarian Interpretation OF the Deity
This simply would mean the establishment
OF religion, in the sense of establishing a par
ticular form thereof, and that, as you know, is
contrary to the spirit of the first amendment,
and therefore perversion of the peace OF the
nation. You also remember, no doubt, re-
peated efforts were made TO hinder Jews and
Adventists from pursuing their voeatlons on
what is commonly called the Lords day, on
the ground that such people violated the
Christian Sabbath. There is, Literally speak
ing, no Christian Sa bbath. There is Il dies non,
made so by the consent of the majority OF the
people, and while il maybe within the prov
ince of any Legislature 10 assess penalties
against the man who violates this consent. we
cannotunderstand by whatconstruction OF civil
law person who does not believe that Sunday