EXTRACT FROM A LETTER
TO HON. R.M. Johnson |
|
Elder
John Leland |
March 29, 1830
SIR:—For forty years, next to the salvation of the soul, the
rights of conscience have been articles of my highest
solicitude. Not only that all sects and societies should be
placed on a level, but that each lonely individual should
have equal favor, and not be obliged to join any society to
escape disabilities or oppression. Indeed, I stand pledged,
that as long as I can use my tongue or pen, I will never lie
dormant when religious liberty is in jeopardy. The report
speaks for itself. If it can be bettered, I know not in
which particular. It breaths the language of John Milton,
Roger Williams, William Penn, Thomas Jefferson, etc., and, I
think it is in perfect accordance with the letter and spirit
of the New Testament. It has my unqualified approbation.
The report of the minority of
the committee comes in company with the other. After what I
have said, it will not be expected that I shall approve of
the whole of it. It discards the idea of any theological
controversy, and yet, in the very beginning, it lays the
foundation of a religious war. There never was a Christian
nation on earth, before the days of Constantine, who opened
the flood-gates of error, and set Christians at war with
each other.
How often is it, when we halt
in the face of great opposition, from doing that which is
right or standing for that which is just for all; thinking
that we, being one, could make no difference in great
matters?
Were it not for the diligence
and persistence of this one Old Baptist Elder, we well might
not, indeed probably would not have “Freedom of Religion”
included in the First Amendment of our Constitution: Giving
every citizen of these United States the constitutional
right to worship God according to their conscience.
Every one of us, from least to
greatest, can make a difference by standing true to the
calling placed upon us.
Editor
|