Notes of the United States of North America, During a Phrenological Visit in 1898-9-40: Volume 1 Page: 233 of 444
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RELIGION IN THE UNITED STATES. 193
whom I have travelled; that in a residence of nearly
five months among them, I was not conscious of being
imposed on more than thrice, while I had many opportunities
of observing their simplicity, and experiencing
their kindness; and that Prussia was the only
country which I had visited in which religious freedom
seemed to be understood and practically allowed.
This last observation led to more particular inquiries,
and I added that I considered no country to
be entitled to boast of its religious liberty in which
public opinion was not so far advanced as to permit
every man to follow the dictates of his own understanding
in his religious belief, without exposing
him to disadvantages on account of his differing from
the prevailing sects. " But this is the law here,"
said several persons. " True, it is the law, but it is
not the practice. A man is safe in Massachusetts,
if he profess a faith which is already supported by a
powerful body of respectable persons; but if his opinions
be singular, or not recognised by an influential
sect, he is exposed to all that minor persecution
which operates insidiously and in the dark: To take
a strong example, it would obstruct the rise of a
young man at the bar, in medicine, or in any employment
depending on the people, if he were known
to be conscientiously a Jew, however moral and respectable
he might be in character." " But would
not the same happen in Prussia " "No." I was
told that if a man's personal conduct be irreproachable,
it makes no difference in his social estimation
in Berlin, what religious faith he professes; that no
VOL. I. R
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Combe, George, 1788-1858. Notes of the United States of North America, During a Phrenological Visit in 1898-9-40: Volume 1, book, 1841; Edinburgh, Scotland. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1028/m1/233/?rotate=270: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Special Collections.