Newspaper Page Text
For the Index.
Tetters of Hon. A- H- Stephens and Rev. H. H.
Tucker,
On Religious liberty, first published intiw Chron
icle and Sentinel , Augusta, Ga: Atlanta, Ga.,
C. R. Hanlieter <Sc Cos., Printers, 1858.
Mr. Editor: —The above is the title of a pam
phlet of 36 pages, which may be considered as a
sort of first prints of the political excitement of
the year 1855. Though we are sometimes com
pelled to mourn the evils, incident to political agi
tations; there are nevertheless, circumstances to
which they frequently give birth, which very much
relieve if they do not Altogether redeem them.
We are almost pursuaded to look complacently
on the turbulence of the tempest, in view of the
rich sun-light which occasionally gilds the succee
ding calm.
The canvass of 1855, did not perhaps give oc
casion to a more important or highly interesting
correspondence, than that which we have before
us. The question—who wns the first to proclaim
and establish “Religious li l . rty” on this continent?
is and must ever be one ot profound interest.
To this query, we have a satisfactory answer in the
letters before us. It will be remembered that our
very able and distinguished repreaentative, Hon.
A. H. Stephens opened the canvass of 1855 with
a speech in the city of Augusta, in , which he took
occasion to state that the of Mary
land organized under the auspices of Lord Balti
more, was the first ‘to establish this principle of
free toleration in religious worship’ on this conti
nent.” To this, Mr. Tucker replies in his first let
ter. We quote from it a line or two. “I beg
leave, (says Mr. Tucker) respectfully, to join issue
with you on this statement, and that for two rea
sons : First, because it gives credit to one who
does not deserve it. Secondly, because it takes
.'.way that credit from one who does deserve it.
Lord Baltimore was not only the first to found a
free government, but he never founded such a one
at all, nor did any of his successors who inherited
his titles! The pioneer in the cause of religious
liberty in this continent was not a Catholic, but
a Baptist; not Lord Baltimore, but Roger Will
iams, the founder of Rhode Island.” To establish
of these propositions is the burden of the
portion of this very able letter. To this
* under date “June -sth. 1855,” re
his !-tter. lie ?'*ys —’The
Lord Baltimore a-
K, t f , (llmy speech m
L id-'->.,nd tio
’ T” - ‘ -'b\ ! : (
‘/o •*''ifitiLv *s£"*V’Hjfe ! ‘•• •
Hbt .
-T v * 4 * ,'if
l ‘ .Sk
, :!l . lipiiß|p& ■: •
B
jTsfL* ‘ W his positions,
jwl ‘ £
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■ . ‘■ ‘Uwy gjgSf
.'■v'pj&z. Mr” o. r. m.
Gift ■ : •
V- pTtor once at least, v.- think hots
k^s;‘v.-' ; ' :r colors trailing and iris brow un-
HBa. Prudence is said to be the better part
“And he that fights and runs away,
May live to fight another day.”
In his third letter, in reply to Mr. Stephens,
Mr. Tucker says:—“You say that you are not
willing so teach me history. I respectfully submit,
whether one, who in a little matter like this, makes
a mistake of thirty years in his chronology is
competent to teach anybody. You also complain,
as an excuse for retiring from the field, that you
have no time for the discussion of this matter. It
so happens that I have time; and I intend to use
some of it in teaching you and others who make
statements, the truth of which, cannot be proved,
that when those statements detract either directly
or indirectly from the honor of the Baptist De
nomination, they cannot be made with impunity.’
To the letter from which this last quotation is
made, Mr. Stephens made no reply. Mr. Tucker
follows up the subject in seven other short, plain
and conclusive communications to the “editors of
the Chronicle & Sentinel.” To do these letters of
Mr. Tucker justice, we would be compelled to
quote them in vhoir entirety.
Wo have brought the pamphlet under review,
to the notice of your readers, hoping that they
may be induced to procure a copy and read it for
themselves. Even those who read these letters
when published in the gazettes, will be profited by
their reperusal. At least, every true Baptist ought
to have them in pamphlet form. I would suggest
the propriety of every Pastor placing a copy in
the hands of as many of his church and congre
gation as he can. Mr. Tucker has done the world,
the Baptists, and the cause of truth a vast amount
of valuable service in presenting in a condensed
form the interesting facts embraced in his letters.
This little work ought to be preserved, and it is
hoped that Baptists, at any rate, will preserve it.
Well might Bancroft say, that “perfect freedom
of mind was from the first the trophy of the Bap
tists,” for they have ever been the unflinching
friends of freedom of conscience—of “soul liberty.”
What Roger Williams did. was but the practical
application of this great Baptist idea, and to him
all credit for having reduced it to practice
did. Rpt Williams and the world owe to
wL to Baptists alone —-heir obligations
ife’- ■ktnuin.'Ui.'ied through ail age. since the
of’ ‘ s ul liberty”—a
g|v* ; fj- •’!’—a doctrine
ms V r the pf .vers, and
consecrated by the blood of millions of our mar
tyred brethren.
If others maintain this doctrine in the present
day, it is not because it is a necessary consequence
flowing from their princ+ples and church polity—
it is merely accidental .
With Baptists, however this is a necessity.
None but Baptist can, consistenly with his church
material and organization, teach the doctrine that
Williams taught. Not to teach it, u now and
ever has been, not to be a Baptist. The language
of Mr. Tucker in his last letter, is and must ever
be the lauguage of every true Baptist. He says,
“Away with toleration 1 give tts liberty\ liberty! !
LIBERTY !! I” E. R. CARSEWELL.
Woodburn, Jefferson co , Ga.
j
P. S. Orders sent to Rev. Samuel Bryant, At
lanta, Ga., can procure copies of our pamphlet.
One dollar enclosed will procure nine copies
free of postage. Send and get one dollars worth.
E. R. C.
—•-
For the Index.
Duty of Ecclesiastical Bodies, to Servants.
Having been impressed, with the duty of ten
dering the Gospel alike to all—the black man, no
less than the white, we have written several arti
cles, with a view to awaken in the minds of Chris
tians, a livelier activity, in disseminating the bread
of life. In our preceding articles, we first noticed
the duty of Ministers—secondly, the duty of house
hold religion, and lastly, we endeavored to show
the obligations resting upon churches to give our
servants the Gospel of Christ. We propose in this
article, andseveral succeeding ones, showing what
we conceive to be the duty of Ecclesiastic bodies re
lative to giving their aid and influences in impar
ting religious truths to the black population within
our bounds.
In considering the duty of Eclisiastical bodies
to aid in giving the pure word of God to the
blacks, we prefer the course, hitherto pursued—
asceuding climax or series. Therefore, we will
advert to the duty. In the first place of District
meeting, that we may stir up the pure minds of
those composing such meetings, by way of remem
brance. We have noticed with much interest,
the proceedings of District associations, and we
have been gratified at seeing some of the most vi
tal questions of the age being discussed and de
fended, during the sessions of the above named
meetings. But we do not now recollect ever to
have seen in the actiou of such bodies, any step ta
ken, by which the spiritual good of that class of
our people, who are not taught to read the Scrip
tures. You perceive then, dear brethren, that af
ter you shall have divested truth of the mists and
fogs of eroneous education and prejudice, there re
mains a great and good work to be done, ere a
large class of immortal beings can be benefitted by
the truth. This class must be taught the sublime
and glorious truths in the Gospel oraly, or the
blessed Bible is a sealed book to them !
Have we not reason to fear, lest woe threatened
against the proud Pharasees, for having attended
to minor matters, in preference to that of more im
portance, will he inflicted upon us.—“Ye tithe of
mint and anize and cumin; and have omitted the
weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy and
faith.” Thus speaks the blessed Saviour, lv way
of caution. We are of opinion that all well in
formed Baptists concede the idea, that truth and
truth only, can produce the desired effect, when
believed. Still there are a few, who retain the
dogma, that a thing believed, whether true or er
roneous, is all that is necessery upon the. part of
the creature, to secure the favor of God! But
whither would this heresy lead ? It would de
prive u of the CreatorJfl& the heavens and earth!
Or if the you please, any system of re
ligion, as right and such belief will make it so!
How god dishonoring such fancies of the brain !
Who dare say that any system of faith will an
swer, save that which eminated from the supreme
law giver. Dare Isay that there are a number of
ways, by which the same command may be obey
ed ! Such erroneous views have paralyzed the
progress of truth, for many a full century! O !
how long, till finite man shall cease to usurp the
prerogative of the infinite God, by turning legis
lator, rather that executor.
We have introduced the above reflections, that,
you may the more readily see the importance of
imparting the pure word of God, to those who do
not read for themselves. Ts we shall succeed in
commending unsullied truth to all classes, we have
nothing to fear. Truth is mighty and must pre
vail. The great Apostle to the Gentiles, says, ‘the
word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper
than any two edged sword, drc.” With that great
torch light in our hands, we have nothing to fear.
It behooves us then to be more concerned about
promulgating truth, than it does simply to refute
error. Indeed, to discriminate truth, is of itself
a refutation of error. Will not the lovers of truth
be vigilant in aiding to scatter its seeds upon a soil
in which tares are likely to be sown, and which
may chance, so to overspred our harvest fields, as
to choke the good seed ? We think they will.
Having thus premised, it appears evident that
the great fundamental duty of eclesiasticai bodies,
resolves itself into a narrow compass—To give the
pure gospel of Christ to as many (irrespective of
rank or colour) as is in our power, with the means
by which vrod has favored us with. This done,
and our duty is dispatched. To use all the means
in our power, to diffuse Gospel light, is but the
fruit of supreme love to God, and love to our fel
low-man. Let us proceed at once to enquire how
District meetings may be of great utility in giving
the blessed word of God to our black population.
Ist, It is the duty of such meetings to enquire
into the spiritual warmth of those within the
bounds of the district, in which they may operate.
We are of opinion, in most cases, you will find by
a close examination, that there are many abqujt
you does, who if asked, could not give one clear
idea, relative to the cross of Giirjst. And the grea
ter portion of this class, are*taoe who are toiling
in our farms, and therefore should claim our high
t jmpathie*. Let it never once be said, that j
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX
their ignorauce of divine things, will screed* ffrein
from the strictest judgment of God. And, 1 if it
were so. those who might, but will not give ihem
the bread of eternal life, will be weighed and found
wanting.
2d. District meetings should ascertain the diffi
culties which must be surmounted in going forth to
accomplish a work, which has for its aim the the
eternal welfare of immortal beings. Bui nevfer for
| oqee abandon a misasion of such magnitude for ap
! parent obstacles. Before Moses would enf*into
| the promised land, he despatched twelve ijfcn to
spy out the land; but they all returned, Ad re
ported the country inaccessible, save one, whjssid,
let us go up at once and possess it; for we ap well
able to overcome it. Now, whilst it is right to
look at thß difficulties to be overcome; it is and want
of confidence, to magnify obstacles. Never suffer
covetousness, to be had in the list of obstacles. —
Dear brethren, if we poesass the proper unction of
soul, our language will be heroic, as that of Caleb.
| We are fully able.
3d. Determine the manner of operation. We
suggest, that & competent missionary whose duty
it shall be to devote ail his time, to the instruction
of our servants; will doubtless be the most Success
ful plan of operation. Arid we would further sug
gest, that during the week, such missionary, go
from one plantation to another, and impart instruc
tion as opportunity presents itself. In the mean
time, let such missionary, upon the Sabbath, have
certain points, at which he will preach to all who
may assemble. It should always be understood,
that a suitable number of whites attend such Sab
bath meetings.
4th. Lastly, endeavor to get a suitable minister
to act as your missionary. Let him be a mau of
great firmness. Much decision of character. A
man of indefatigable perseverance. No novice.—
One who is willing to sacrifice the conveniences,
and comforts of this life, for the good of the cause.
Count all things but dross when
the value of precious souls.
Brethren, just think, if by such an enterprize,
you are instrumental in the hand of God, in bring
ing one lost sinner to Christ, what a glorious work!
But if numbers, still more glorious f! Eternity
alone must tell the sequel! J. M. S.
For the Imte*.
Southern Female College. Lagrange, 6a.
The annual Commencement festivities of this in
stitution have again been enjoyed by the public.
Numerous friends in different parts of the coun
try, very naturally desire to hear something occa
sionally from this well known Seminary of learn
ing, that has so long led tho way in the cause of
female education in Georgia. This interest is now
especially felt, as it is known that the Presidency
has recently passed into other hands, and that it’s
affairs during the last year, have been under the
direction of anew administration. Prof. Foster,
who now presides over its destinies, has prored
himself worthy of his position. He is a Southern
man. Possessed of an education which qualifies
him admirably for his profession; he combines al
so that urbanity of manner, kindness of feeling and
conscientious fidelity, which fits him especially for
his position. Honesty of purpose is in him, a
leading characteristic. This* would be obvious to
the most casual observer. A stranger would com
mit his interest to him with confidence, nis frank,
generous manner recommends him at once to the
esteem of those who make his acquaintance, while
those who honor him fest approve him most.
The exercises of his examination exhibit**! that
fairness and thoroughness which would naturally
be expected, and the direction of one who knows
nothing of conoealment or of disguise. If there
was any fault to be found, it was an apparently
studied effort to avoid everything that would cap
tivate apart from the actual merit of the exercises.
This was of course, less entertaining to the pleas
ure seekers; but more to be admired by those who
came to inquire into the actual attainments of their
daughters. To the earnest inquirer after the facts
with reference to the progress of individuals, the
mode of instruction, and the general condition of
tho Insritution ; the absence of the frivolous enter
tainments, calculated, and often intended to divert
attention from the deficiency and deformities of
a sickly, shallow Bystem of instruction, was an ev
idence that the hope of suocess on the part of the
teachers, was based upon the merit of their labors,
and not upon pleasing the fancy of a giddy throng.
It is our object in this article especially to avoid
giving a description of the Examination and Com*
mencement. Such descriptions now fill the pa
pers, and are as stale as fourth of July orations.
We wish to call the attention of the denomination
and of the friends of education generally, to the
present and future of this Institution.
The public will soon be advised of tliß proceed
ings of the Trustees of the College, at their recent
meetings. It will be seen that the Denomi
nation has been made joint owner of the College.
This is a consummation whichTias long been desi
red, and which to the denomination, guarantees
an Institution, that can be relied upon as a perma
nent Baptist Female College, which will be sus
tained and cherished as’ one of the most important
agencies for advancing ihe education of the young
ladies of our nation.
It is also worthy of special notice, that Professor
Brooks of Ala., has become permanently connect
ed with the Institution as joint Proprietor, He is
an experienced and approved- teacher of young la
dies. The warm attachment of his pupils for
twelve years for him. united with the approval of
his patrons, gives strong assurance of his profes
sional worth, and strengthens the confidence of all
in completeness of present arrangements, for the
future conduct of the Institution.
Til conclusion, we congratulate the friends of
learning, upon the very liberal manner in which
the College was patronized during the past year
and regard it n earnest, that with the recent
advantageous arrangements, the present well or
ganized faculty, wjjl.be .encouraged by a iarge
rp&ye of patronage during tjie next yfcar.
For The index.
Southern Female College, La Orange, Georgia.
The Board of Trustees of this Institution'met ou
the 10th and 12th inst. for. the transaction of busi
ness. The following minute of their proceedings
was ordered to be published : *
Present, at the meeting of the 10th inst., Rev.
Thomas Murphy, Jas. K. Redd, Ewd. V. Hill. A.
B. Fannin, Jesse M’Lendon, Tho*. J. Baron. Dr.
James A. Long.
Rev. Thomas Murphy was called to the Chair.
The Report of M. E. Bacon, agent for collecting
the subscriptions for the purchase of the Institution,
was received. The attention of those interested is
invited to the following points :
Ist. The original subscriptions, taken up in the
Fall of 1851, were based upon the first plan of pur
chasing the property for the stun of $15,000. ex
clusive of the subscription of the proprietor. Upon
this plan no collections of importance were made.
The contract made by the Trustees in July, 1852,
contemplated the purchase of one half of the prop
erty for the Denomination, leaving the remaining
part of the purchase for subsequent action. It ap
peared that the terms of this contract were made
known to the public, and to .subsmhers particular
ly, in public meetings and in pripted addresses:
and that the notes and cash for the purchase of
the, property were retreved after the utmost pub
licity had been given to the terms of the contract.
2d. It further appeared that the sum of $6,400
had been collected on the subscriptions, and that
there remained on the books uncollected-subscrip
tions amounting to $1765.40. The books con
taining accounts of cash and uotes received, and
the dte6 of the several transactions, were submit
ted to the Board. These accounts, with the caleu
latious'of the value of the notes, the amounts re
ceived in each, <fcc., had previously undergone the
inspection of the Treasurer, and been also examined
by several members of the Board.
On the motion of Judge Hill, it was Resolved,
That the Report be received and approved.
In order to effect the object proposed by the
contributors, to purchase one half the property
and thereby secure to the Denomination the rights
and immunities set forth in the contract, Mr. Ba
con then presented a Deed of Gift of eleven hun
dred dollars, thereby making up the amount of
*7 500, the sum necessary for the purchase of one
half of the property.
Messrs. Foster <fc Brooks presented a proposition
to so alter the charter as to secure to the Board of
Trustees in their corporate capacity the right to
fill vacancies in their body that may occur by death,
resignation, or otherwise.
Mr. Bacon announced that he was prepared to
make titles to the property whenever desired by
the Board.
A Committee consisting of A. B. Fannin, Dr.
James A. Long and T. J. Bacon, was appointed
to consider these several propositions, to have set
forth in the Title tendered by Mr. Bacon a state
ment of the rights, privileges and immunities of
the Trustees, and to report upon the same at a sub
sequent meeting.
The Board then adjourned, subject to the call of
the Committee.
The Board again assembled on the 12th.—
Present, E. Y. Hill, A. B. Fannin, T. J. Bacon,
Jesse M’Lendon, Dr. James a Long and J. W. B.
Edwards—Judge Hill in the Chair. The Com
mittee recommended the acceptance oi the dona
tion proposed in the Deed of Gift—also the adop
tion of the proposition of Messrs. Foster & Brooks
—and presented the Tities to one half the College
property, drawn up in accordance with their in
structions. On motion the report was received
and adopted.
Upon motion, the Secretary was instructed to
draw up and submit to the Board at a future meet
ing, a Biil to amend the Charier of the College,
according to the proposition of Messrs. Foster
Brooks, to be brought before the Legislature at its
next session.
The following resolutions were then unanimous
ly adopted :
By Dr. James 4- Long.
Resolved. That we cordially welcome
Foster and Brooks to their position as Principals
of the Inst tution, and hope they may receive that
united support and realize that entire success to
which their merits so justly entitle them.
By A. B. Fannin, Esq.
Ist. Resolved, Tbet we congratulate ?he Bap
tist dinomination that Mr. Milton E. Bacon upon
the consummation of an arrangement held so much
at interest by the contracting parties.
2d. Resolved, That while in the anxiety to do
equal just ce to the Denomination, (with whose
rights we, as Trustees, were entrusted,) at some
times misgivings have been expressed; yet, upon
a full and complete examination of the whole
ground, we we satisfied, completely, thht full jus
tice has been done to the Denomination, and that
Mr. Bacon as acquitted himself, as contractoi and
as agent, bona fide; that all misgivings were
groundless, and that we appreciate his industry,
honesty and liberality, which have made the De
nomination a joint owner of the College property,
and given them a voice in its future direction and
control, as expressed in the contemplated altera
tion of its charter and in the deed of conveyance
now tendered and received.
Upon motion, the Secretary was directed to
draw up the proceedings of Board and request
publication of the same in the La Grange Report
er and Christian Index.
THOS. J. BACON, Sec’v.
For the Index.
“He is a Poor Preacher I”
l* he ? Well, then he is like his master. —
Eighteen hundred years ago, and he, faint and
weary, wandered along the bauks of the Sea of
Galilee, and climbed the wild hills of Judea, long
after every fox was in its hole, and every bird had
sought its nest, and the stars had lit their fires on
high. He wanderer! there, wet with dew, be
cause Jie was poor and “had not where to lay his
head” v ‘ .
that was not wbt I rneaDt,” saya tbe ob-
jector, ■ Our preachci, makes a sorry figure in the
pulpit. Ido not care Anything about Wm poverty
—that is no objection to friin, but lie hesitates, i
and does not act as if he knew what to say.”
Does he? •Ah, yes! I see plainly, be is Ike !
Moses, that chosen .and precious servant >-f God, •
who was sent forth on one Os the most important i
missions, ever delegated to man. He, you will re
member, did not like to go on God’s errand, into
the splendid courts of Pharaoh, among th(j fluent j
Egyptian nobles, and learned men, because he was
“slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.” God
would not let him off however. He seemed to
look upon it as a matter of little or no consequence,
and when Moses, who was extremely sensitive up
on the point, continued to timidly shrink back,
awful consequences followed —■''■the anger of the
Lord was kindled .” In spite of his stammering’ i
tongue the Jewish Law Giver had to go forward, j
Your preacher, I dare say, is just like him. God, ]
when he has a message to send to the wicked,
sends “by whom he will send.” We plainly see
this from Moses’ case.
But although the messenger may he poor, the
message is exceedingly rich. It contains pardon
for the condemned —health (or the s.iek —joy for
the sorrowing—life lor the dead, and good news
respecting “a crown of glory, that fadeth not
away.” When the message is important, let us
lose sight, as Gcal does, of the feeble tongue of the
messenger. C. W. B.
Greenesboro, Ga.
TKTpiir
MONDAY MORNING, JULY 28.
arrearages are charged at $2 50 per annum,
or 6 cents per number. For all payments in advance
the paper is furnished at $2 00 per annum, or 4 cents
per number
Board of Trustees Mercer University.
We are requested to state that the Trustees of
Mercer University will meet This Morning , at 9
o’clock. A full attendance is desired.
gSiT Any person sending money to the Index
will please notice the. receipts, and inform us of
any errors that may occur in them.
JfSET To order to give the hands in the Office
holiday during the Commencement Exercises, the
paper is issued Monday instead of Thursday.
- -
tW We acknowledge the receipt of a Sermon
preached by Rev. B. Manly, by the appointment
of the Senior Class of the University of North
Carolina, from Ps. H 9: 9, “ wherewith shall a
young man cleanse his way by taking heed there
to, according to thy* word.”
Doth God take care of Oxen?
! Our cousin would confer a great favor on our
j numerous readers if she would frequently procure
j communications like the interesting one that she
I sent a few weeks ago, ou the care that God takes
I of oxen.
!• Judson Female College.
I/tented at Marion, Perry county Ala., from
| their annual Catalogue, we learn that there are
j connected with this promising Seminary 13 In
structors in the various department*. Total num
ber of Students 230.
Fourteenth Annual Report of the Southern
Female College, LaGrange, Ga
The Proprietors of t his College, assisted by a
number of Teachers, are encouraged at the present
state of their Intsitution. See a notice in another
column. From their Catalogue, we iearu that
132 pupils have been in attendance during the last
Universalism. #
The whole merit of this system, if it has any,
consists in tho denial, of future punishment. It is
asserted with confidence, that the word in our com
mon version rendered hell does not denote a place
of punishment but only the grave. The advo
cates of this theory say also that this was the
teaching of Jesus and his Apostles. The Holy
Scriptures, in the hands of those who bold this
doctrine, are relied upon to uphold a doctrine that
the friends of the Bible can never believe. If tbe
word of God deserves any credit, and our confi
dence in it, hs that which contains the will of our
Creator, has not been misplaced, it is not saying
too much that this Word is consistent with itself.
It does not iu one place deny—what is certainly
taught in another. Whenever it can be shown
that its doctrines ire contradictory, it will no long
er prove the solace of the thousands who ate ever
enjoying the pleasant hopes derived from what
they-have been accustomed to revere as the in
spired records of Leaven. The Universalist how
ever, does not say, that such contradiction exists
in the Scriptures. They are as bold, as the most
humble Christian in declaring that such ineonsis
tency or contradiction would make (hero to all
unworthy of belief.
Let what has been said be taken for granted,
and by no system of reasoning can the doctrine of
the Universalist, be maintained, from the biblo.—
Was Jesus a Universalist preacher? Did he say
that hell was the grave? If so the whole question
must l>e given up. Suppose, for one moment that
bell means the grave and that there is after death
no place of punishment for the uubelieving—and
then attempt to reconcile this assertion with what
the Savior said of those who did not fear Him.—
“Fear not them which kill the body and after that
have no more that they can do—but rather fear
him who hath power after that lie has killed to
cast both soul and body into hell.” To burv the
dead, to put into the grave those who have died,
hns ever been the office of true friendship. Our
friends, our true friends are everijear us in periods
of sickness. The affectionate parent will Dever be
induced to quit the bedside of the dying child,
and when that child is dead, its bestfriehd will pro
cure for it a decent burial. If then, as some say,
hell means only the grave then it will follow, that
He who spike as never man spake, has taught the
strange doctrine that we are to fear our best friend,
OM-Tl th.K— V, lid !•>> ■ Ui- ill iWOT
our .•u*-m\ who woui-l i.-adinH
Now wbiH-v.-r, can bring
Jesus cwr w *o inconsistent, hnv^H
ed Him for a Savior without stiff)
He certainly did not nmau that his people sbom|N
fear-those who would put them in the grave, more
than the murderer who stood ready to take their
lives. If so, then lie himself would have feared
Joseph of A rim at Lea who put his lifeless body in
his own new Sepulchre, more than those at whoso
instance he was put to death. Such would be the
case, if, as the Universalist says, hell means oqjv
the grave.
-Malar.
Dr. Hare’s Book on Spiritualism.
The Spiritualists have rejoiced greatly over tho
accession of Dr. Hare to their ranks.
The Independent thus shows up the Dr. and
the book which he has written on the subject.
Experimental Investigation of the Spirit Maui
festations. — Demonstrating the Existence of
Spirits, and their communion with mortals.
Doctrine of the Spirit World respecting God.
Also, the Influence of Scripture on Morals of
Christians. By Robert Hare, M. I)., Emeritus
Professor of Chemistry in the University of Pa.,
Graduate of Yale College and Harvard Univer
sity, Associate of the Smithsonian Institute, and
Member of various learned Societies. New
Y'ork, Partridge & Brittan.
Dr. Robert Hare, Emeritus Professor, Ac., Ae„
and member of various learned societies, is also
one of that class of persons who “have said in their
hearts there is no God.” From some hints at his
interior history in the book before us, we gather
that for upwards of fifty years he has been a “pro
fessor” of the grossest materialism, only distin
guished from sheer atheism by the childish belief
in a heathenish deity of “enormous, though not
I unlimited power. He has believed neither in
prayer, nor in Providence; nor in a future life
neither in angel nor spirit. He has been without
hope “and without God in the world.”
Dr. Hare is also a chemist of good repute iu thv,
scientific world, who has distinguished
important contributions to science,—
which, we believe, have been f” •
of a high degree of
tv, rather than of
vestigatiou. Wo are
ter for voracity ..
in question. AH ,
From thc<ejiik -< *
i&nnatundJM
jflj
’ s• ,, L’ r
h- -'M
r
".{ill,
b# K
■ -Hi
;■ b.'s.fcl :/'b■ ; If
pell- ! 1 1 .fiM l f “
But th J j r \ ‘ i'[. ;
o. ’ !i --> *9(l c, C t - I ‘
u. r - u -..it >*■ ‘ f • ‘ ‘ j, l
!■ - - ‘jaM , \ if r', 1 fffi'’ j
c'-i ifflt . i'/ j/. jfcfi'’*/./,
npjM .trs. Hj
without Nd* *' 1 , t r
V. : ’!i to guide
,i a fairy ’ ‘ |;
And the stuffing m
mits to swall.'w. withiiut , %’ ; fff:'-
be appreciated only by oner^H
his 460 octavo pages, ‘JH| ; !•.
This is sufficient to account for
phenomenon. It remains to criticise i^O
In a literary point of view, it is
cbm. It abounds with blunders in grammar, and
outrages on rhetoric. The bits of classical learn
ing, which are paraded here and there, would a
muse the youngest classes in a grammar school.
Painful attempts nt versification limp drearily
down many of the pages: and once or twice the
reader is regaled with the melancholy and servile
gingle of a superannuated pun.
Dr. Haro’s experiments to test the existence of
intelligent movement of tables.&c., independent of
ordinary human agency, were so conducted that
they must bo satisfactory to every reader who ad
mits the veracity of the witness.
As for the evidence which he offers of the in
terference of supra-mundane spirits, it is totally
insufficient, even although we admit, as we freely
may, that there is no strong anterior improbabili
ty of such interference, either from reason or his
tory, and that the tendency of Scripture is rather
to countenance a belief in it. Some curious state
ments are made on respectable authority, and
some preposteroqs ghost stories are told on no re
liable authority at all, Biff we do not feel called
upon either to explain the former or to disprove
tho latter before pronouncing the argument to be
inconclusive.
The professed communications from the spirit
world in this'volume, are liable to tho objection
which has been brought so justly against all their
predecessors to wit, that they communicate noth
ing not already known, except things which can
not be verifiod. It is curious to see how exactly
these “revelations” tell over again the previously
conceived opinions of the person through whom,
or to whom they are made. Those addressed to
the Doctor himself generally begin with some high
ly complimentary remarks on his acuteness of in
tellect and nobleness of character, and with the ex
ception of some remarks on the economy of the
spirit-world, consists chiefly of the stale iufidelity
which he had learned from Tom Paine in his
hood. The Doctor himself says, “I
(vice that in my change of tipini.idjH -j
involved in any change ofprinegihjH
bin- most airm-itig ihing if. ’iljj
a sj'i; •it i: i ii oft ids r or. .-spoiuij Iv
elation and im.-iginatio'j^M. Of’
.vmimimientmii 1 ’
of a ymmg lady, tflJ® , f IS h- ‘