The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-11-03
THE VOLUNTARY CHURCH.
). have received the following com


munlcaCOn:
Editor of the Times:
Suitcase accept the thanks OF an
OLD BaprlsC preacher 1or your aunllf;t-
BILE eullorI;l III the Times Oh last Sun
day, entitled The oluntary Cnurcn. II
not only gives Il vigorous discussion o.
the pl1nclple involved-tllat OF the ab-
sollLe ana certain separation OF clltlrcn
and Stare-tlle principle so terssly
stated by Mr.. Madison when he SAID
religion is wholly exempt from the
cogniZance of civil society,"" but luf-
nisileS an illustration so appropriate
that every thoughtful reader, It seems
to me, must appreciate it. allude 70
tile matter of the exemption OF church
property from taxation. Your article
is full OF good politics and Of admirable
theology as we'll. Tho State, as such, has
no right to Destow benetaction upon
the churches. 1t is still worse for the
churches to accept them. That church.
es should be, made to feel III any way
dependent on the State will tenu to
secularize them and eneryate them:
and, as you show, will reduce the
grade OtDersonal piety.
/ have Il distinct and delightful rec
objection Of an incident in my eXpe-
rience about twenty-five years ago.
While Il pastor in Richmond | was, re-
quested by the House of Delegates 70
otficiate as chaplain for week. Dur
ing the week l formed Il delightful
acquaintance with that noble gentle
man and distinguished statesman Hon,
Alexander H. II. Stuart. of Staunton,
who was Il member of the House.
was given Il scat near him on the 5oor
of the House. and was much enter
tanned by his remarks made to me
personally when the opportunity Of
fered. One day, do not remember
just how. this subject Of exemption OF
church, property from taxation was
suggested. | remarked that was en-
tirelyaoppOsed to such exemption. MI:
Stuart seemed a little startled. He
appeared not to he expecting to hear
Suchsa statement from aipreacher. and
said with. emphasis and spirit: 81 AM
glad to hear YOU. sir. express such Il
Sentiment. The principle is true be-
yo1ld question: And then pointing
through the window at st. Pauis
Church. which was in full view. he
added: Suppose the equitable tax OH
that property We're Il hundred dollars.
and the State of Virginia should remit
that tax, there is no man who could
show any: substantial difference be-
tween that action andzthe direct APP
preparation of one hundred dollars from
the State treasury to the support OF
St.EPaul'S Church,
tt was delightful to hear his Spirited
and ernest discussion of this cues
ton You say. in closing your article.
that it is snrZZlings TO YOU how any
American chulchnan can entertain 4
different view. Strange. indeed it
seems to me- But you and I are in Il
small minority I am in q minority III
my own denomination. which has the
credit Of occrnying advanced ground
on Kindred subjects. cannot but hone
that Your able article will excite
thought and inquiry. and help to bring
about q wholesome reformation. |
fully believe the abandonment of this
evil Drincin1n would "nick"n and in
crease spiritual vitality in all the
churches.
! hnro If will not he lone before the
nrinciple is fully acknowledged IA
the meantime let us approach 1T rs
nearly and as rapidly "s ,rn 90 n
T. r. G-ARLICK.
Richmond, Nov. LIST.
The Times is gratified to be sustained
in its contention by DR.. GarlicE and
as he points out-by Hon. A. 81. II.
Stuart. But that is not all. a mem
Der Of the Constitutional Convention
directs our attention to the fact that
Bishop Meade. in speaking OF discs
tablisitment which compelled the Pro-
testant Episcopal Church to rely en-
tircy on voluntary contributions. sad:
Nothing could have been more in
furious to the cause of true religion IN
the Episcopal Church, or to its growth
in any way. than the continuance OF
either stipend or globes. Many clergy
men of the most unworthy character
would have been continued among US.
and such u revival as we have seen
have never, taken place. As it was.
together with the globes aud salaries,
evil ministers disappeared and made
room for a new and different, kind
Old Churches and Families Of Nir-
ginia, vol l.. page 40.
DR.. 3Foote. Presbyterian historian,
writing in 1850. said:
after. an experiment. of more than
half century, the bill for religious
freedom holds its place among the
fundamental laws Of the Virginia
statute book. Religion and morals have
not suffered. -Four colleges two theo-
logical seminaries and the University
have been added TO. the public institu-
tons for instruction. Authorized min
listers of the gospel have increased
about ten-fold, and professors Of the
religion Of the gospel il the same pro-
portion. Churches, academies AMI
school-houses are multiplying through
out the extended State. All parties
agree that the mind is free; that even
prisoners, slaves and convicts enjoy
freedom of conscience Sketches OF
Virginia, page 34S.
The church is strongest3in!its integ-
rity. in its absolute. indie pendencc.
========== -
ELIJAH.
tselected fos The Times, USE