Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1907-06-04

1863 John Potter, NJ mber oil the hous'
of Burgessee, for his kindly leaning to
ward the Quakers and his opposition Il
the baptism of infauts was txpellee
from his position and subjected to in
dignities. Sir William Berkeley, Cover
nor OF Virginia for tbirty-six years, ant
a high churchman ",hanked God thai
there we're no free schools nor printing
In Virginia and hoped there would bt
none for these hundred years" He said
"the clergy would be be ter if they pray.
ed oflener and Preached le's." La
1852 printing was prohibited. Just pre-
vious to the American Revolution the
Baptists who had been allowed prece-
rious citizenship and were struggling un-
der exsctions OF the government and the
hierarchy found an earnest champion in
Patrick Henry, Of great aDdglorious mem
ory, who championed their cause in the
courts and opened the way for their re-
cognition. No, Brother Carpenter, full re-
ligious liberty did not exist 10 the prov
ince of Virginia until by the influences
of George Mason, Tacma4 Jefferson and
George Washington the EpiscopalChurch
was disestabll>i FL
Let brother Carpenter construe the
early laws of Virginia as he may, they
remain on the statute books as an incon-
trovertable evidence that the Virginia
colonists never intended to open their
province as a home for any sect or class
who desired TO fee from persecution. My
friend imagines in his reply that | am
not an Episcopalian. No, l am not, but
suppose it is because did not happen
to be born and brought up in that way.
Most people in the world are the in
culcation and development of their re-
ligious status to heredily or environments
on both. / am not a member of any re-
ligious sect, l have kept the bars down
30 that could affiliate with sll denom-
nations about me. So that might have
charity for all of them and mslice for
none. Ia Jewish Synagogue, in pagan
temple, in Mohamedan mosque and
Romish catbedralI have mingled with
devotees without jealousy or prejudice.
Religious prejudice consider the silliest
and most unnatural of all prjudices and
il will be q welcome day to the world
when all sectariar differences shall dis
appear from among mankind before the
coming of that universal gospel of peace
on earth and good will to all which
Christ came to teach and establish 20
many hundred years ago.
Our ancestors made mistakes, many OF
them, and we need not wonder that they
did, considering the world had not then
emerged from the darkness and super
stition which had so long enshrouded it,
but now we are moving slong better
lines and higher planes of development.
The Episcopslians OF Virginia In their
zeal to maintain their own peculiar way
Of thinking and worship had not yet
advanced to iha' more sensible consider
alton which acknowledges the father
hood of God and the brotherhood of man.
In concluding my communications
on the facts Of history, l trust no
reader who has followed my statements
will accuse me of having been actuated
by any adverse sectionsl feeling or
animosity. Virginia has been my adopt
ed home for nearly fifty years. Through
that time have striven In humble way
to do my part for the promotion OF the
general welfare of the good old common
wealth. All my relations with the Vir-
ginia people have been of the most
friendly nature and l trust they will
30 continue while ! live among them.
II my friend, Mr.. Carpenter, wishes to
verify my statements let him refer to
Henning's statutes of Virginia, vol. l
and vol. 2. W. II. 8.