Article October 30, 1902 Issue

It is necessary that religion should be held and professed...

S. W. H.

It is necessary that religion should be held and professed in a liberal spirit. Just as far as it assumes an intolerant, exclusive, sectarian form, it subverts instead of strengthening the soul's freedom, and becomes the heaviest and most galling yoke which is laid on the intellect and conscience. Religion must be viewed, not as a monopoly of priests, ministers, or sects; not as conferring on any man a right to dictate to his fellow-beings; not as an instrument by which the few may awe the many; not as bestowing on one a prerogative which is not enjoyed by all; but as the property of every human being and as the great subject for every human mind. It must be regarded as the revelation of a common Father to whom all have equal access, who invites all to the like immediate communion, who opens his works and word to every eye, and calls upon all to read for themselves, and to follow fearlessly the best convictions of their own understanding.—William Ellery Channing.

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Among the Churches
October 30, 1902
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