=1. Intolerance among Christians To-day.=--"It must be
said--though I say it with the deepest sorrow--that the cold
exclusiveness of the Pharisee, the bitter ignorance of the
self-styled theologian, the usurped infallibility of the
half-educated religionist, have been ever the curse of
Christianity. They have imposed 'the senses of men upon the words
of God, the special senses of men on the general words of God;'
and have tried to enforce them on all men's consciences with all
kinds of burnings and anathemas under equal threats of death and
damnation. And thus they incurred the terrible responsibility of
presenting religion to mankind in a false and repellent guise. Is
theological hatred still to be a proverb for the world's just
contempt? Is such hatred--hatred in its bitterest and most
ruthless form--to be regarded as the legitimate and normal
outcome of the religion of love? Is the spirit of peace never to
be brought to bear on religious opinions? Are such questions
always to excite the most intense animosities, and the most
terrible divisions?... Is the world to be forever confirmed in
its opinion that theological partisans are less truthful, less
candid, less high-minded, less honorable even than the partisans
of political and social causes, who make no profession as to the
duty of love? Are the so-called 'religious' champions to be
forever as they now are, the most unscrupulously bitter, the most
conspicuously unfair? Alas! they might be so with far less danger
to the cause of religion if they would forego the luxury of
'quoting scripture for their purpose.'"--Canon Farrar, _The Early
Days of Christianity_, pp. 584-585.
=2. "Telestial."=--The adjective "telestial" has not become
current in the language; its use is at present confined to the
theology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It
is applied as a distinguishing term to the lowest of the three
kingdoms of glory provided for the redeemed. The only English
word approaching it in form is the adjective "telestic," which is
defined thus:--"tending toward the end or final accomplishment;
tending to accomplish a purpose."
=3. Toleration.=--"'Mormonism' offers no modified or conditional
claims as to the necessity of compliance with the laws and
ordinances of the gospel by every independent inhabitant of earth
unto whom salvation shall come. It distinguishes not between
enlightened and heathen nations, nor between men of high or low
intelligence; nor even between the living and the dead. No human
being who has attained years of accountability in the flesh, may
hope for salvation in the kingdom of God until he has rendered
obedience to the requirements of Christ, the Redeemer of the
world. But while thus decisive, 'Mormonism' is not exclusive. It
does not claim that all who have failed to accept and obey the
gospel of eternal life shall be eternally and forever damned.
While boldly asserting that the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints is the sole repository of the Holy Priesthood
as now restored to earth, it teaches and demands the fullest
toleration for all individuals, and organizations of individuals,
professing righteousness; and holds that each shall be rewarded
for the measure of good he has wrought, to be adjudged in
accordance with the spiritual knowledge he has gained. And for
such high claims combined with such professions of tolerance, the
Church has been accused of inconsistency. Let it not be
forgotten, however, that toleration is not acceptance. I may
believe with the utmost fulness of my soul's powers that I am
right and my neighbor is wrong concerning any proposition or
principle; but such conviction gives me no semblance of right for
interfering with his exercise of freedom. The only bounds to the
liberty of an individual are such as mark the liberty of another,
or the rights of the community. God himself treats as sacred, and
therefore as inviolable, the freedom of the human soul.
'Mormonism' contends that no man or nation possesses the right to
forcibly deprive even the heathen of his right to worship his
deity. Though idolatry has been marked from the earliest ages
with the seal of divine disfavor, it may represent in the
benighted mind the sincerest reverence of which the person is
capable. He should be taught better, but never compelled. There
is no claim of universal forgiveness; no unwarranted
glorification of Mercy to the degrading or neglect of Justice; no
thought that a single sin of omission or of commission shall fail
to leave its wound or scar. In the great future there shall be
found a place for every soul, whatever his grade of spiritual
intelligence may be."--_The Philosophy of Mormonism_: The Author,
in _Improvement Era_, vol. iv, pp. 502-504.