Experimental investigation of the spirit manifestations, [electronic ...

216 INFLUENCE OF SCRIPTUREblood, may have been looked to as a justification of pontifical crueltyand despotism.No one would believe tliat a capable farmer tcould make such a mistahcas to sow garlic instead of wheat. Yet God, while rejiresented ashaving intended to soio Protestantism, is considered as having caused,throughout Christendom, a crop of Catholicism, in the Roman orGrecianform, for more than a thousand years ;more than half of the tchole soil.those weeds still occupying1137. The immense importance attached by mankind to correct religiousimpressions is demonstrated, in the first place, by the enormous expenditurethroughoutthis world in sustaining those who are conceived by theirconstituents to be the true expounders of religion ;* and, in the secondplace, by the blood and treasure which have been expended either in missionsor in wars, for the extension or defence of the impressions believedby various sectarians to be the most accordant with truth.1138. Yet it must be plain that in no case has there been any higherevidence than that of an alleged human communication, direct or indirect,with some recognised deity, if not the true God. If the will of God hasever been revealed, the number who have actually pretended to an interviewwith him, or with any immortal subordinate spirit are very few. TheOld Testament depends upon the testimony of Moses and a few Hebrewprophets, whose inspiration rests upon their own allegations, respectingthemselves or each other.1139. As regards the basis of Christianity, there are two irreconcilableopinions :one held by the Protestants, the other by the Eoman Catholics;since although there is a great diversity of opinion between Protestants,there is between all Protestants and Papists this dijBference: The latterrelying on their own church as the sole depository of all the evidence ofChristianity, do not allow any direct recourse to Scripture for a rule offaith.The former reject the claims of the church of Home, and resort tothe gospel for their rule of faith.1140. But wherefore should such implicit confidence be placed in languagealleged to have been held by Moses or any other ancient author ?should they be credited, even when they allege God to have used suchwords as these, "Let one wax hot in my icrath that I may consume them''The motive for this imputation against God, was that Moses might takecredit for moderation in slaughtering only three thousand of God's chosenpeople in one day, for worshipping a golden calf, made by his own brother,;aftcrward made high-priest. Thus the ringleader, being the brother ofMoses, was loaded with honours, while those whom he led astray were toor^'lu Great Britain, nearly forty millions of dollars per annum.f Perhaps, liowever, the bigh-cburch Episcopalians occupy middle ground.