New-York tribune., 1900-12-02


admission TO the public employments functions
and honors. or the exercise OF the various pro-
fessious and industries. The outrageous perse-
cutions which have fallen upon the Armenans
IT. contravention Of this treaty. and which the
Powers of Europe failed 10 prevent and punish.
are among the burning shames OF a century
which won many victories for the right OF rights
The British Empire am now speaking OF
what lies beyond the British Islands-is the
widest domain. Of liberation on which the
shines That empire has been called "the
hugest outstanding Parliament of Religions now
existing in the world" In Australia. New-Zea-
land. South Africa. the Dominion Of Canada. and
throughout the broad and populous peninsula
of India fun liberty of conscience and all the
rights Of spiritual freedom enjoyed. When
We look al England itself we are compelled 10
remember that her great act of religious free
don, is the Act Of Toeration of 1859, aud that
this was not an edict OF liberty. Englishmen at
thai time did not believe in religious freedom.
hut inevitably that Act of liberation led 10 a
large enjoyment Of the rights Of conscience, and
dining our century its benefits have been eX-
tended 20 Cnitarians. Catholics and Jews The
disestabishment or the Church or England IN
ireland great step in the right direction,
ard with the surely coming disestablishment Of
the Church in Scotland. Wales and England the
area of liberty viii be enlarged. Ii may be that
practically there is much spiritual freedom in
Great Britain as in America. but the Noncon-
legal and social lnferiority." and, Furthermore
The subjection Of the Established Church TO the
State appears TO many a transgression of the
law Of liberty established by Christ Himself.
The area of tolerauon has been enlarged by
the official action Of China in granting TO the
different European nations the right Of sending
Christian missionaries not only 70 the port
cities. hut 10 the interior of that vast empire
The Chinese Government has given repeated as
suTance Of its belief that the doctrines Of Chris
tianity and the practice of them were for good.
The recent fanaiical uprising of those who hate
all foreign influences viii not permanently d.
minish the area Of religious liberty in the Far
East. No sensible man believes that the Chris
tis1 nations VIII permit any abrogation of rights
guaranteed by international treaty. In Mexico
religious liberation is a part Of the new life OF
that prosperous republic, and the rights of non
Catholic citizens have received new guarantees,
or have been acknowledged for the first time, in
Ecuador. Bolivia, Peru and elsewhere
HOME OF TRUE LIBERTY.
America is the great home not so much Of toll
Grafton as OF true liberty. In the United States
the Government has no authority TO interfere
with religion. The fullest liberty is possible only
where the Church and State are separate. From
the beginning Of our organized National life this
separation has prevailed and been the funda-
mental law and practice OF our country Here
the Jews have had freedom and have been
treated with a friendliness never elsewhere
shown to them America is the standing reply
TO those who believe that religion needs the sup
port and guidance Of the State. Christian prog
ress in our country has been more rapid than
to-day as when De Tocquevilie wrote that there
is no country in the whole world in which the
Christian religion retains a greater influence
over the souls Of men than in America"
When complete religious liberty exists, tolera-
ton becomes not d legal but a mental and
moral condition. II is a state of mind, and the
most remarkable advance has been in the kind
lier feelings between men of various faiths and
various divisions of the same faith. James
Grant Allen in MS Reign OF Law recalls the
time in the last century when Christians used 10
throw live snakes into the assemblies OF other
Christians Of whom they disapproYed Snake
throwing has disappeared. Occasional acts or
Intolerance occur but are opposed TO the almost
universal sentiment Of the country. Bigotry, or
the worship OF ones own opinions. is giving way
TO charity. Pupits exchanged to-day by
representatives OF various denominations.
Eighty years ago such interchange was scarcely
known. The Dnitarians have accomplished a
large work for the spirit Of true tolerance. Men
who are pronounced in their Church preferences
are pleading with more and more earnestness
for the cooperation Of denominations. Church
comfy is coming TO be a fact. Men are seeing
that Pres byterianisTn, for example, is much
ism is not the Holy Catholic Church. With
Christian large mindedness We are learning 10
love the virtues and achievements Of other de-
nominations.
The rise OF the Young Mems Christian Asso-
citation. the mighty eYangelistic work of Presi-
dent Flnney and Mr.. Moody, the marvellous
growth Of the Christian EndeaVor societies, all
have had powerful influence in promoting rel
lowshp and hence in breaking down the spirit OF
int0lera e The next great step of progress VIII
resemble the political changes which came over
our country when the Colonies, having common
interests. became federated. Federation pre-
cedes either uniication wide and generous
cooperation in many things.
NOBLE ARMY OF WORKERS.
Those who have contributed 10 the worlds