Memoir of the Chisholm

ADDRESS TO CONSTITUENTS. 199
" I wish to see Britain tolerant, indeed, as
becomes a Protestant country, of every spe-
cies of observance, under the name of religion,
to which any portion of the people, by sincere
though mistaken devotion, ' may be led ; but
yet making provision, by national means, that,
if it be possible, in every case, to sincerity may
be added knowledge. I wish to see her, by
her government, advocating the rights of con-
science, but ever mindful of the sacred duty to
do all that a government can, to pour upon
every darkened conscience the awakening
light of truth. I know that many are ready
to exclaim, What is truth ? Many are ready
to ask, How can rulers ascertain, amid con-
flicting opinions, which is true ; and why
should one sect, as they call it, set them-
selves up as the possessors of truth ? I think
that, in Protestant Scotland, few will be hardy
enough to give utterance to doubts of this
kind. The same argument would lead to the
abandonment of our articles of religion and
confessions of faith. But I care not from what
quarter such objections may arise ; I care not
how much difficulty may seem to lie in the
way of a government, as such, when it would
ascertain what is religious truth ; it is only a