The times., 1899-06-11
. A Remarkable Symposium of
Religious Belief.
The President. Supreme Court, Army
and Navy Placed on Record.
Strong Impressions From States
men, Soldiers. and sailors in Sup
port of Christianity and It's
influence.
From the Christian Herald.)

made startling advances during the last
twenty years, in all parts OF the civilized
world. Especially, they assert. has It lro-
gressed in those lands where Christianity
is the prevailing religion. Agnostics free
thinkers, atheists, skeptics, and infidels
have Joined forces in common cause
against the old Bible They have attacked
its integrity, denied its authority. scorned
its precepts, contradicted its history,
Knocked al its science, and scoffed at its
story OF redeeming love. Their printed
blasphemies have been widely circulated
to emphasize the evil done by their plat
form harangues All this extraordinary
infidei activity has produced the most per-
nicious results in many quarters. especial
ly among the young and inexperienced
Encouraged by these evidences of sue
cess. the infdels have grown arrogant and,
in more recent platform utterances, their
leaders have not hesitated to declare the
conviction that the United States is not
only not a Christian nation. but that, if the
truth were permitted to become known,
il would be seen that very large proper
tion of the leading men of the nation
share the same opinions with svowed
skeptics atheists, and agnostics. The age.
they urged, is too enlightened for men
longer to consent to superstitious thral-
dom suited only to medieval ignorance
and crednlity; the era of successful priest
craft has gone by. and intelligent people
must now reject the fables and legends,
the myths and traditions of the Orient,
which had been cleverly gathered together
and foisted upon the human race in that
ACCOMMODATION of books known as the Ri5le.
This being all very skillfully proved to be
the case-according to the views OF the
infdel advocates-the doctrines contained
in the Bible, its patriafehal narratives, its
impossible miracles its prophecies and its
gospels went for nothing, and il must be
regarded henceforth as literary curios-
ity.
10 asserting that ours is Goddess nation,
that our leading men or any considerable
proportion of them are unbelievers, the
champions of the propaganda of infidelity
have uttered q calumny which involves ev-
cry man. woman, and child within the
boundaries of the United States.
For the purpose of setting this remark
able charge at rest the Christian Her
ald' in the name of the God-fearing and
Bible-ioving people of our country, as
sumed the duty of investigation. cir
cular letter was sent to the President. the
Cabinet Supreme Court. United States
Senate. commanders in our Army and Navy
the Governors of the various States, and
other leading men OF our country. This
letter set forth the assertion of the inf
dels that ours is a Goddess nation, and
that large proportion of the leading men
In public affairs are infidels or rapidly be-
coming so, and it concluded by asking the
following questions;
l. Are you friend of Christianity?
II. Do yOu believe that Christianity Is the
friend Of mankind2
III Does your belief extend to the recognition
OF Supreme Being. to the Divinity Of Christ.
to the surprising potency Of Christianity a
ciyilizing infiuencef
In the following pages the answers re-
ceived to this widely disseminated letter of
enquiry are accurately recorded. We pre-
sent them without comment and leave all
who read to draw their own conclusions.
The Cabinet.
That the United States Cabinet-that
body of distinguished men who are the
Presidents advisers in all that relates to
the nations welfare-are Christian, is for
ever set at rest by the willing and cordial
assurances given in answer to the enquiries
made upon this point.
Hon. James Wilson, Secretary of Agri-
culture, was seen personally by our com
missioner, and gladly placed himself on
record for Christianity, He said: Il am
a member of the Presbyterian Church, u
and this, to those who know of his &C.
tivity in that denomination. means much
Treasury, said he had mo hesitation il
answering in the affirmative the question
whether he believed in the Christian faith
and he added his firm conviction thai
Christianity was the friend of mankind
Further. through his private secretary
Ar Gage authorized the statement tha
he is an active member of the Centra
Presbyterian Church. of Chicago Their,
is no more active Christian in the Cabinet
A A 1Var So Nra.-
also unhesitatingly declared himself
friend Of Christianity reply which. brie
though IL was, sufficiently answers the in,
fdel assertion.
Hon. John Hay. Secretary of State. ant
the leader OF the Cabinet, in most en-
phatic alternatives declared himself
friend OF Christianity. a believer in it
value TO lost humanity. and as recognizing
the divinity of Christ and the potentialit
OF Christianity as a ciyilizing agency.
Postmaster General Charles E Smitl
authorized an affirmative answer to all tn
questions.
Attorney General John W. Griggs, tn
judicial executive OF the nation, also su
thorized an affirmative answer.
For a Christian President and Christian
advisers. our nation ought TO be thankful
But there are further causes for devou
thankfulness, as We shall see on PRO
ceeding with our enquiry.
The Supreme Court.
There is no more digniied or learne
Judicial body anywhere in the world tha
the United States Supreme Court 1t
functions are of the highest Importance
involving quetsions affecting the most vita
interests OF the nation-ciyil. religious, an
political. Individually and as a court it
members enjoy the profoundest respec
and confidence of the country. Their rul
ings have frequently been set up as a mode
of jurisprudence for the emulation of 9th
er nations.
Hon. Melville D. Fuller is the Chic
Justice of the Supreme Court Of the Unite
States. When called upon by our commits
sioner in person he explained that III
members of the Supreme Court are me
with all manner OF enquiries from innum
cradle sources, many of which are unde
serving Of answer. He recognized the i'm
portance of the present enquiry, however
and, although IL was rule among the jus
tices not TO answer any question intende
Tor publication. he declared: Il am frien
of Christianity"
Appreciating the delicacy of questionin
the Supreme Bench ON this matter. or in
deed on any matter which might invoiv
the violation of their general rule OF 81
lenoe where publication is intended, n
further questions were asked. Indeed
none we're necessary.
Hon George Shiras, Associate Justic'
who was also seen personally, replied: '
am Christian. OF course"
Hon. John NJ Harlan. Associate Justice
would not consent TO be interviewed. pre-
.errfng TO observe the judicial rule of 81
lence on such matters; but no oral o
written statement from him was needed
n1.a s-1u