Year: 1876

EDuoR OF The CHIEF: 1t is a favOrite assertion put
forth by those inclined to question the divine origin Of
the Bible and the Christian religion that the church fears
in vestgaton as to the evidence supporting this claim
is entirely too broad assertion While II may De true
to neonsderabe number Of both its ministers and
member it is net true regards the more educated and
intelligent Christians who willing to relinquish what
Of fiction may be found in the records and archives
which the church, in common with humanity at large,
inherited from anauity We trust for the result in
the sublime sentence penned by Esdras near twenty
three centuries ago: AS for Truth 1t endureth and Is
always strong liveth and conquereth forevermore


Religion has its foundation in the nature and constitu


on Of men, 1t existed in uncut vated and crude form
before writing known books made or creeds invent
ed and it will remain should all these be swept away
The Bible contains much that true however large the
proportion resting upon legendary basis may be found
to be. Never will be forced to give up the beautiful
moral and religious preceps and the sublime and eevat
ed sentiments it contains We may modify our belief In
regard to Christ to correspond with the views enterta n
ed by Unitarian brethren but never shall we cease
to render love and homage Him whose perfect life ex
ample and teachings remain to elevate to bless and to
mankind. We prepared, when the time comes,
If shall to give up much that at present appears
essential to the maintenance of Christianity as system
Of religion but so long moral Ignorance and sin
remains will give up organic existence as a
church. association of individuals banded together for
the promotion of each others moral and social well being
and the general advan cement Of the human The
church may conform to Gods laws of universal progress
siOn and hence change from what it is to-day but it viii
cease its reverence and worship for the Supreme
Being its abOrs lead humanity in the pathway Of
virtue.


not nsensibls the that there many good
men and women who would be with Uere il not for
their inability accept certain beliefs Of the church So
far as am concerned, would be willing to remove every
that NAV
have for not enjoying the benefits of the
church-not by abandoning individual opinions but
by either dropping doubtful objectionable dogmas
from the creed by making their acceptance OF them
optional and obligatory. am not advocate OF tn
propety of requiring all to assent to creed which


few may have made and long ago at that for believe
that persons snitabe for churchmembership may hold
many diverse opinions trusting to each others honesty
and leaving every with himself and God We are ed
ucated differently under the influence Of different
temperaments and must of necessity things in differ
colors But recognize common belief of good
dislike of evil, and in this common thought
might agree in enlargng the boundaries good and
curtang the dominions of evil I'm essentials unity in
non-es sentals charity in all things harmony"


recognize all these questions proper subjects for
honest investigation and discussion. No system of re
gion need have any fear from science critical inves
CATION Truth shines all the brighter when purged of its
dross brother is honestly impelled to doubt
many things held historically true by the church let
mpugn his motives him for it. He may
be by impulses noble and principles pure
as any that live Disbelief in miracles does not imply
disbelief in practical religion We the magnet draw
up and hold fast metallic substances thus violating
suspendng overcoming the law of gravitatiOn We
therefore conceive of how the lower laws of nature
the higher but since cannot see it,
why should it disqualfy him for the fellowship of the
church Let the discussion Whatever is resting
fiction, will be overthrow; whatever is resting
| truth, will live and conquer forevermore.


LIBERAL CHURCH-MEMBER.