theory of Theology requires to be renovated at certain epochs, as well as the theories of Natural Philosophy, Chemistry, and Physiology.
Con. What part of religion do you consider divine, and what part human?
Inn. God has said that men ought to act towards each other as brethren. This sublime principle comprehends all that is divine in the Christian religion.
Con. What! do you reduce to one single principle all that is divine in Christianity?
Inn. God has necessarily referred all to one principle: he has necessarily deduced all from the same principle; otherwise his will in regard to mankind could not have been systematic. It would be blasphemy to suppose that the Almighty had founded his religion upon several principles.
Now, in accordance with this principle, which God has given to men for the rule of their conduct, they ought to organize society in the manner the most advantageous to the greatest number; they ought to propose to themselves, as the end of all their labours and of all their actions, the most prompt and effective amelioration possible of the moral and physical condition of the greatest number.
I say that it is in this, and this only, that the divine element of the Christian religion consists.
Con. I admit that God has given to mankind only one principle; I admit that he has commanded them to organize society in such a manner as to secure to the poorest classes the most prompt and complete amelioration of their moral and physical condition; but I would have you observe, that God has given guides to direct the human race. Before his ascension to heaven, Jesus Christ charged his apostles, and their successors, with the direction of the conduct of men, in pointing out to them the application which they ought to make of the fundamental principle of divine morality, and assisting them to draw from it the most useful conclusions. Do you regard the church as a divine institution?
