TO THE sorroa OF THE 'SPECTATOR
Second Month 1847.
RESPECTED FEnnsiD—In reference to an article in a late number of the Spectator on the subject of religious endowments, treated at greater length in a sub- sequent paper, there appears to me a discrepancy in the reasoning. While pro- fessing to deprecate the canting cry that "conscience should be free," at the same time that an individual is in the very act of coercing his neighbour's conscience, the writer nevertheless advocates a measure for the endowment of the Roman Catholic priesthood,—a project which at once violates freedom of conscience. Political expediency is one thing, religions toleration is another; but when using the phrase "freedom of conscience," it is well to investigate its real mean- ing, and ascertain-what are its practical requirements. I have no sympathy with the sectarian opposition to the grant to the Roman Catholics because they are such, nor do I base my resistance to the scheme upon what is termed the Volun- tary. principle; but I object to it on other and higher grounds. I believe that re- ligion, or religious belief, is a matter wholly. between man and his Maker, -with which no Government has any moral right to interfere; that such interference has been and is a fertile source of discord and strife in the community, repugnant to the spirit of the Christian religion, and tends materially to obstruct its rows and enlargement in the-world.
.It must be obvious, then, to every reflecting mind, that where a community ex- ists holding views such as these, the coexistence in the same country of a State Church with religions liberty or entire freedom of conscience is incompatible. Would it not, then, be a fitter vocation for the liberal and intelligent conductors of the public press, rather to endeavour, by the dissemination of more enlightened opinions, to conduct the public mind to the goal of religions freedom, than attempt to thwart the growing hostility to a project which can only be defended upon Use narrow ground of political expediency? It appears to me like a reading of his- tory and human progress backwards, to suppose that in the lapse of time the popular mind will be more reconciled to the principle of religious endowments, or consent to any further inroad upon their religious liberties. I am, respectfully, A SussemBEB.
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