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Editorial
September 2, 1763
The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle
Portsmouth, Greenland, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
This editorial advocates for conducting religious controversies with charity, meekness, and love, rather than insult and scandal, warning that acrimony sows malice and undermines true piety, as love is the essence of holiness.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
DISPUTING on Points of Religion would be one of the most pleasant as well as profitable Entertainments of this Imperfect State, if those Who engage in Controversy would be but careful to maintain that good Nature and Charity, that benevolent and kind Regard to their Antagonists, Which Christianity obliges us to show towards all Men : If a sincere Zeal for Truth, and a fervent Love to one another did direct and animate our Enquiries and Disquisitions, they would certainly bring us nearer to one another in our Sentiments, if not cause us all to think and speak the same Things.
But if, instead of offering the Reasons of our Opinions with Meekness, and speaking the Truth in Love, we use the most provoking and insulting Language We can invent, and rake every Dunghill to find Scandal to fling at our Adversaries, and care not whether it be true or false, so it be but spiteful and disgraceful, if instead of rectifying their Mistakes we try to blast the Reputation of those who differ from us, and represent them as hateful and ridiculous, as Men of no Conscience or Reason, and strain their Expressions to such an ill Sense as was never intended ; though this kind of managing Controversy may make Sport for Fools, yet it must needs do a World of Mischief by souring Men's Tempers, and propagating Malice and Ill-Nature, which is the very Temper of the Devils; and so making Men much more the Children of Hell, than they would be, if they did remain ignorant of the Truth in Contest.
It is earnestly wished, that the Perusal of the above Performances may have a Tendency to set some Persons right in their Notions, and moderate in their Censures of one another.-- Honest Men of all Sides should combine to discountenance the Propagators of Scandal, though of their own Party ; for it is not only a great Injury to the Persons defamed, but it alienates and sours the Tempers of those who are obliged to live together, and fills them with Spleen and Rancour---And however many may boast of their Piety, there is really no more Religion amongst them, than there is Love--Love or Charity is but another Name for Holiness : and God is Love--
No Difference of Opinion can excuse those who violate the common Rules of Justice and Humanity.
But if, instead of offering the Reasons of our Opinions with Meekness, and speaking the Truth in Love, we use the most provoking and insulting Language We can invent, and rake every Dunghill to find Scandal to fling at our Adversaries, and care not whether it be true or false, so it be but spiteful and disgraceful, if instead of rectifying their Mistakes we try to blast the Reputation of those who differ from us, and represent them as hateful and ridiculous, as Men of no Conscience or Reason, and strain their Expressions to such an ill Sense as was never intended ; though this kind of managing Controversy may make Sport for Fools, yet it must needs do a World of Mischief by souring Men's Tempers, and propagating Malice and Ill-Nature, which is the very Temper of the Devils; and so making Men much more the Children of Hell, than they would be, if they did remain ignorant of the Truth in Contest.
It is earnestly wished, that the Perusal of the above Performances may have a Tendency to set some Persons right in their Notions, and moderate in their Censures of one another.-- Honest Men of all Sides should combine to discountenance the Propagators of Scandal, though of their own Party ; for it is not only a great Injury to the Persons defamed, but it alienates and sours the Tempers of those who are obliged to live together, and fills them with Spleen and Rancour---And however many may boast of their Piety, there is really no more Religion amongst them, than there is Love--Love or Charity is but another Name for Holiness : and God is Love--
No Difference of Opinion can excuse those who violate the common Rules of Justice and Humanity.
What sub-type of article is it?
Moral Or Religious
What keywords are associated?
Religious Controversy
Charity In Debate
Scandal Propagation
Christian Meekness
Love As Holiness
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Charity In Religious Controversies
Stance / Tone
Exhortation To Meekness And Love In Debates
Key Arguments
Disputing Religion Should Be Pleasant And Profitable If Done With Charity And Zeal For Truth.
Insulting Language And Scandal In Controversies Breed Malice And Make Men Like Devils.
Honest Men Should Oppose Scandalmongers Even In Their Own Party To Preserve Unity And Piety.
Love And Charity Are Synonymous With Holiness, And God Is Love.
No Opinion Difference Excuses Violating Justice And Humanity.