Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1843-10-04
OCTOBER 4. 1s4s.

liberal ana nuuducs ViiOSe
divide between itself and them what be-
longs 10 humanity. And this. as il is now
pracliced, pertaining only % such things
rs !, does, is one Of the most favorable as (
meets Of the case, on the part Of the govern
ment Let an invention come in that
should clash with the interests oil the gov
erument-uo matter how perfectly demon
stratet 10 be true-no matter how useful
10 humanity, would hnd an enemy in
the government at once. It IS not the
business OF governments TO promote the 10
terests Of mankind. bot TO promote their
own interests, and the interests Of those
concerned in them, which is the same
thing, against the interests Of mankind.
It's more emphalically so with rslig-
ious Institutions. These are the genuine
children OF ignorance, always ready with
o1lcries oainsl the advancement ofknowl-
edge. II is in their very nature to be OPP
posed 10 the increase Of knowledge beyond
their control OF it. Their priesthood, for
whose susienance the organizations are
kept in existence, get their bread by SELL
ing the knowledge they possess or pretend
10. Why then should they not strive 10
keep knowledge within their control2 II
the people are allowed to have it without
price. il will spoil their trade and their
craft. For this and their other purposes.
the priesthood have always been grasp
ing for the reins OF government Where
they have been unable 10 get the COM
mand, they have crowded themselves in
rs allies. Protes,anis can see il in Cath
olics. And If Catholics cannot see it in
Prolestanis. they must not only have a
charity that will cover very great null
,tude Of past sins against themselves and
others, but also must be very blind or
strangely indifferent TO what is now pass
ing among their neighbors.
The religions Of the world have all
shown themselves to be one thing. They
are a trio Of tradition, superstition and
bigotry. based upon ignorance. Carried
out in practice. they amount to nothing
more or less than a show Of forms ant
ceremonies. These are more or less mod
fled and refined, according to the knowl
edge Of the people. 1t is al utter error
and yet very general among religionis's
probably, to suppose that the degree o
knowledge depends on the kind of relig
ION. The reverse is-ihs truih- Ii
kind Of religion depends on the d'gre
of kaopledge. knowledge IS Obtained
as before stated. 10 spite Of religion
The amount OF knowledge depends on III
cultivation OF mans higher faculties. !
connection with his lover. The amour
of religion does not. Religion is perfec
ly compatible with ignorance. A Peopl
has never ben found too ignorant 70
religious. There are those who are i
nofant Of The religion OF others. b
they all have their own religion Az
wha, is more, and confirms the view q
ready taken, they all think theirs to
tie religion-the true religion.
Another inconlrovcrtible evidence
support Of the view now taken is, the Ia
that all religionists, whatever their degr
of knowledge. succeed better in prosell
ing the ignorant than the enlightene
II has already been said that there a
none too iguoran, to oe religious. 3
there are those TOO much enlightened W
science AMI knowledge to be rellglo'
None Of the prevailing religions OF
world had their origin with enIigh,eu
men, or in an enlightened age. Re
the religious repository OF those parts
the world now mos! enlightened. Is Ih'
uny evidence that its writer's were
| lighlentd meni They may have be
and doubtless were, The most enlighler
among tina, po-tiOn Of men then in es
| cnce who got up that system. Blu, II
kncw nothing Of the lying Of the ca
i in st.ata-nothing Of the movements
the plaa.ts 10 their orbits-noIhing Of
i circulation .cf blood in man or other
mals-in a EOrt. very lutte of the II
i valuable Of the sciences and arts
which he world il now enlighler