"But in the New Testament the same principle of general consultation is most clearly exhibited in the proceedings of the first Christians. The very nature of the Christian religion, the constitution of the Gospel church, impose the duty. The Christian religion is a general system; it breaks down all separations, and of Jews and Gentiles forms one new church. All Christians are bound up in the same great interests: they are of one heart and of one mind. In the sixth chapter of Acts of the Apostles, we find a plain account of the call and proceedings of a Christian Conference. The brethren brought forward the candidates for ordination, and the ministers laid their hands on them and appointed them to their work. Here were at least twelve ministers and a multitude of brethren. If this instance stood alone in the Bible, we should think the Scripture authority for conference clear; but it is not alone. In the fifteenth chapter of Acts, we have an account of a difficulty which arose about circumcision, which Paul, Barnabas and the whole church at Antioch could not decide. When the apostles, elders, and a multitude of brethren were assembled at Jerusalem, we have an account that Peter, Barnabas, Paul, and James addressed them at length on the great question, which was settled to mutual satisfaction. When this was done, they sent out messengers to bear their decisions to all their brethren who could not be present. Here is another instance of a Christian conference doing business and deciding questions for the church at large. If one church is the highest tribunal, why did not the church at Antioch put the question to rest without making so much expense and trouble? It is plain that there was none of this childish independence and authority claimed by the primitive churches, about which the disorganizers make so much ado in the nineteenth century."
Freedom of Discussion. "Messrs. Editors of the Telegraph;[57]—I ever with pleasure, whether at home or abroad, grasp the interesting sheet which is daily sent forth from your office, and with interest peruse its columns.
"Under the editorial head my attention was recently arrested by the performances of a writer who styles himself B., who, after a tedious preamble, brings forth what he is pleased to style, 'A rare collection of geniuses;' and although he looks into contempt the speculations of the humble Capt. Sims, tramples with impunity on the honors of Gov. Morril, proclaims on the house-top the vanity and folly of Gov. Clinton, Lieut. Gov. Pitcher, Gen. Root, J. V. N. Yates, Dr. Beck, and the whole faculty of Hamilton College, we think he leaves us proof among his heterogeneous labors that he must be ranked among the rare wits of our times. What he says of Capt. Sims strikes me as a piece of base cowardice, as the theory of Capt. S. is very unpopular. Capt. Sims, as I understand him, is convinced, from long and arduous study, that further northern discoveries ought to be made. This is the burden of his labors. To this idea the American Congress and every thinking man must consent. I heard his lectures at Cincinnati, and regard him as an honest, independent man. As the President has recommended northern explorations, I sincerely hope that important discoveries will be made. Though Mr. Sims's theory is now very unpopular, is it more so than was the revolution of the earth when first published by Galileo? The projects of Columbus were ridiculed; the American Revolution was sneered at by our proud foes of the east. Even the mission of the Saviour was treated with the utmost contempt. How careful, Sirs, ought we to be in opposing new views, and in guarding ourselves and others against the spirit of persecution."
We offer the following on the tragical fate of Lovejoy, as appropriate to this subject:
"The riot which recently took place in Alton, Ill., in which two citizens lost their lives, is one of the most disgraceful events that ever stained the character of our country. The mayor must have been guilty of gross negligence, for from what had transpired he ought to have been fully prepared for it. Had an efficient man been in his place, clothed with his authority, the property and life of the innocent might have been protected, and a ruthless mob would have been taught a lesson which would have cured their propensity for that kind of diversion. The destruction of fifty of those lawless midnight assassins would have been a trifle compared with the loss of one peaceable, honorable man in the lawful discharge of his duty. It is said that the Attorney General of the State, and a clergyman, took a conspicuous part, and made speeches to influence and encourage the mob, and that several respectable citizens were among the number. Oh, shame! Has our country come to this? Can it be that there is a man in Illinois who makes the least pretension to respectability or morality, who would encourage or countenance for a moment such an infringement upon the laws of God and man? We think little, very little, of such respectability, of such officers, such attorneys, and such clergymen. We say—
'Strip the miscreants of the robes they stain,
And drive them from the altars they profane.'
"What can men expect to gain by associating as mobs? No honorable object was ever accomplished by cruelty and oppression. No righteous cause requires such measures. This outrage will defeat its own object; it will increase and excite the sympathies of the people, and advance the cause it intends to destroy, tenfold. Funds will be raised, and valiant men enough will be found who will cheerfully volunteer to raise the standard of liberty and free discussion on the very spot where their brave brother has fallen a martyr. Men in such cases will not count their lives dear unto themselves; there are hundreds ready to be offered upon the same altar. Not only so, but the blood of this innocent man crieth from the ground for vengeance, and there is a righteous God in heaven who regards the condition of the oppressed, and who will not let the wicked go unpunished.
"The people of Boston, New York, and Cincinnati, have tried the virtue of mobs, to put down free discussion, and what has been the result? Why, it has increased, strengthened and built up the persecuted party. The destruction of one printing-press will only raise up ten to speak and plead for the liberty of the press. The murder of one Morgan will raise up thousands to redress his injuries. In our eastern cities, where we have efficient and enlightened officers, mobs are immediately put down, but at Alton and St. Louis society must be in a deplorable state.
"Mr. Lovejoy, we have ever understood, was a respectable citizen, a man of talent, and a zealous minister of the Gospel. He had a right to enjoy his opinions; he had a right to use the press, that great engine of liberty, in propagating his views; and none had a right to molest him. His zeal no doubt led him to adopt strong measures in vindicating his own interest and the cause to which his energies were devoted. He acted in his own defence upon the principle of justice as a citizen. If he had slain a score of his opponents under these circumstances, the laws of the land would have held him guiltless. But still the course was an unfortunate one. The New Testament and the Christian Spirit teach us, as children of the Prince of Peace, a more excellent way: 'Resist not evil'—'Put up thy sword into its sheath'—'Be patient in tribulation'—'If ye are persecuted, revile not.'