Marriage and parentage, education, and kindred subjects / O.S. Fowler.

  • Orson S. Fowler
Date:
1889
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Marriage and parentage, education, and kindred subjects / O.S. Fowler. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    51/610 page 41
    CHURCH RELIGION. 41- How is the general Christian church entitled ?—It is called catholic. Are there more catholic churches than one ?—Several have at least taken the title. They are distinguished from each other by adding the name of the' country or town where they severally commenced or flourish. Thus there is a Roman catholic church, a Greek catholic church, an Anglican catholic church,, and so on. Can the special societies of the general or catholic churches follow principles^ differing respectively 1—It is evident that congregations admitting different principles do not constitute parts of one catholic church. Can several churches be catholic in one respect and divided in others 1—Yes. All which believe in the mission of Jesus ana in His miracles are members of one catholic church in as far as these points are concerned ; but they may be divided into many churches in regard to the precepts admitted as Christian ordinances. Does the society that changes its religious principles belong to the catholic- church of which it was a part 1—No. It forms a new church. Ought there to be superiors in any church ?—Yes. It is well to have persons- especially appointed to teach and to watch over the accomplishment of the- principles they admit respectively. Is any man justified in commanding in the name of God 1—The power of God is absolute, but if man arrogate such authority disorder is inevitable. The- ministers of religion ought to be responsible to the community for every one of their religious interpretations in the same way as the ministers of civil govern- ments are answerable for their measures. Can any reliance be placed on the word of him whose actions are at variance- with his precepts 1—No. More especially if the tendency of his teaching be favourable to himself. Jesus said, “If 1 do not the works of my Father, believe not me. (John x., 37.) What is the common tendency of every established church ?—The priesthood of every State religion try to keep religious notions stationary and to maintain the uniformity of discipline. Is it possible to keep moral and religious notions stationary ?—It may be done- by theocratical governments for a shorter or a longer period ; but it is impossible where civil and religious governments constitute two separate powers. The progress will be slow in proportion as both sorts of governors remain united ; but views which are adapted, and even necessary, to ignorant generations, can- not satisfy enlightened minds, and must successively improve as well as arts sciences, and civil legislation. The technical, obscure, and gloomy theology' which lias come down from times of ignorance, superstition, and slavery, must yield to a system which is practical, clear, and calculated to unfold the* highest powers of our understanding and our moral sentiments. Is Protestantism compatible with the uniformity of any religious doctrines 1— s allow^tantr 13 fou°ded °.n the ri£bt of masoning ; and wherever this diffe^^d^re™in°different persons6 CaDD0*; s*nce the power of reasoning wlfust^h^nntl!! Pr‘est^ood. established churches to remain stationary in arts andTctnnL'Tri111 cmllsatlon ?~If the sacerdocy do not keep pace by degrees and final!^ ^ c°mmunity at large their influence must diminish oy aegrees, and finally cease altogether. reason is allowed ^ hi tre|lgl°1*8 ,sect^ is unavoidable wherever the free use of endeavour to establish 8fi0Uld be .the!.r common tendency 1—Each sect should lectual, religious, and moral™007 “ * 1 branches of knowledge, physical, intel- That church'wdl become uni it0 bec.om? universal and permanent ?—Yes. be founded on a knowledge of tin T* lastl,nf? wbose religious principles shall harmony among allTe mSiarv ? nat^eof.man, which shall establish religion to the rank of alienee 'tv*!.68 ofrtbe mn.ld’ a,]d which shall elevate can only endure for a time ’ religious idea that contravenes reason
    digitised image 1
    digitised image 2
    digitised image 3