Is Ours a Christian Nation?
No SURER evidence that a religious conflict is approaching in this country, could be given, than is presented in the fact that leading and influential papers are gradually forming themselves into line on some of the great theological questions of the day. It is over the issues involved in the Religious Amendment of the Constitution that the conflict is doubtless to be. Not many months since, we recorded the fact that the Christian Press of Cincinnati, from a position of indifference finally took an active and decided stand in favor of the proposed amendment. The Methodist of N. Y. city, now takes the same step; and this we conceive to be no small accession to the strength of those who are urging on this movement. In its issue of Feb. 8, 1873, under the heading given above, it says:— A convention called for the purpose of securing an amendment to our National Constitution is to be held in this city this month. So long as the fact that we are a Christian nation has been unchallenged, we have, for ourselves, felt indisposed to co-operate in this movement. Recent developments have compelled us to revise our opinion of its expediency. Mr. Francis E. Abbott, editor of the Index, has a call to the liberals of America to organize for the removal of every trace of Christianity from our laws and customs. He demands that the employment of chaplains by the National Government, or by State governments, shall be discontinued; that the use of the Bible in public schools shall be prohibited; that the appointment, by our authorities, of religious festivals, shall cease; that the judicial oath shall be abolished; that Sunday laws shall be repealed; that all laws enforcing Christian morality shall be abrogated; and that, in all national and State administration, no practical advantage shall be conceded to Christianity. This is certainly a comprehensive programme. We may all ask, What is coming next? It cannot be denied that a large party is growing up in the country which insists that the attitude of the nation toward all religions shall be one of indifference. It makes this claim in the name of liberty, and asks us to forget all our early history. On the other hand, Roman Catholics denounce the religious position of the nation as godless and infidel, and do not hesitate to avow the purpose to bring us under subjection to the church. Between the pressure from the one and the other side, it may become important for us to embody, in our fundamental laws, both the Christian and the Protestant standing-ground of the nation and the States. That the nation is historically both Christian and Protestant, can be easily shown. We shall discuss the subject more at length hereafter.