The Government loves its convictions a little. It loves political influence much. And so, this has come out clear—whatever is just, and fair, and right, and even necessary for “legislative purposes,” has no chance of prevailing in the counsels of Government, unless, first, the political influence of the Government shall be secured. If on the side of injustice, and unfairness, and the entanglement and perversion of legislation, there should be political influence, that will be the side of the Government. Evil consequences in the future are nothing. Present place and present power are everything.
I think this ought to be a lesson to Churchmen not to put faith in Governments. The Church can never lose by any measures which are just, and fair, and straightforward, and open. And, therefore, the Church had nothing to lose from the “religious profession” clause of the Census Bill. But as Governments do not bind themselves to keep their faith, and are always ready to sacrifice their convictions of justice to their lust of power, the Church must have no trust in Governments.
The object of this tract is not affected by the weak and pitiful conduct of the Government. It never was my object to defend the “religious profession” clause. I have said that, considering the religious distractions of this country, I think it would be wiser for the Government to leave the religious profession of the people alone. And I say so still. Never to have proposed a Census of religious opinions at all would have been wise. But, to have proposed it—to have stoutly maintained the justice of it—to have asserted the necessity of it for equitable legislation,—and then, to have withdrawn it to satisfy an unreasoning handful of Dissenters, who make themselves heard in the House of Commons, is not to be characterized by any negative form of judgment. This is not simply want of wisdom. It is more like that moral imbecility which, in men whom God has burdened with a high trust, is really a crime.
The object of this tract remains. And therefore, notwithstanding the course which the Government has taken, I send it forth to effect that object, as opportunity shall be found. I ask my countrymen and countrywomen—Christian men and women—simply to consider, as in the presence of God, these two appalling facts, which the discussion of the Census Bill has forced to the surface, in this day of Crisis for the Truth.
1. That thousands of baptized souls in England are content to believe nothing in particular.
2. That thousands more who protest that they do believe something in particular, protest also that they cannot “confess” that something “before men.”
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FOOTNOTES.
[5] 2 Kings xiii. 7.