The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-06-10
CURIOUS MFDEL MOVEMENT
In THE UNITED STATES.
Atheistical Declaration or indie endcnce by
Andrew jackson Davis, or sprln g6eId.
From the Spirit Messenger. Nav an


have existed for little season, and have fallen
into ruin and decay. Monarchics and religions
have come uP in different portions of the earth
have exhibited great power and despotism-ha7e
\ glided away like dream of the night, making a
/ dim and dark impression the page of history.
! Countless beings have appeared upon the earth
nave performed some part in the vast and mysteri-
Gus drama of life, and have passed away INFO a
higher sphere
But the past has vanished, and the stupendous
present is before u.s.. Here we stand, upon the
the world of matter and the world of mind. We
stand upon mighty eminence, with all the vast
accumulation of ages, with all the experience and
wisdom of the past beneath, around and within u.s.
by the powerful momentum which the revolution
OF ages and the Development of ideas and principles
have impaired to us, we have steadily aud progress
slvely advanced to moral and inteectual position
from which perceive it to be personal right
and mutual duty to present to the world the rea-
sons why we occupy this position, and why, also,
we are resolved to maintain it, as the only certain
foundation of individual culture and humanitary
progression
We hold it to be a selfevident truth, that the
principle of reason is the greatest and highest en-
dowment of the human mind; that it is the indwel-
ling light and the power of understanding by which
man is enabled to read the innumerable sentences
and chapters contained in the everlasting volume
of nature We hold reason to be the divinely in
herited treasure of the human SOUL because it
the Indications studies the principles and progress
svely comprehends the countless and infinitely di-
versifed manifestations of the Universal God
And we, likewise, hold it to be selfevident, that
nature Is the only perfect and unaterable "Reve.
latisn which the Deity has ever given, or ever will
give, to mankind. By nature, we apprehend the
material universe, with its innumerablc constella
tons Of suns, planets, and satellites; and the spi
ritual universe, with its innumerabe spheres of love-
illness, and with their multitudinous angelic and So
raphic inhabitants. 1t embraces the stupendous uni
vercGlum, which comprehends the kingdoms be-
meath, the powers within, and the boundless frma-
ments above US. We believe Nature to be the uniyer-
sal px Mt Of nd Raaxo IN haf
exponent of Nature therefore, that Nature and Rea-
son. bined, constitute the only true and reliable
standard of judgment upon all subjects-whether
social, political, philosophical, reigious-which
may come within the scope and Investigations Of
the human mind
Furthermore, we hold it to be the nature and
tendency and divine prerogative of the human
soul to explore, to investigate to classify, and re-
duce to practical application every thought, and
principle, and SCIENCE and philosophy, and religion
which rests upon the everlasting foundations Of the
universe and, likewise, that it is mans nature
and prerogative to canddy, freely, and fearlessly
with an eye single to truth, examine all sciences,
and discoveries, and mythologies, and theologies,
andreligions which have been, or may be, developed
among mon and that if they do not accord with the
immutable principles of nature and reason, it is his
divine right and authority to openly expose, repu
date, and discard thera.
We believe that there is nowhere, in the mighty
empire Of this material and spiritual universe, any
absolute sin evil, We believe that all evil is
but the negation of good-all sin the negation
of righteousness-all error, the negation OF truth
all discord but the negaton of harmony; that
is to say, what conventonally custom
ary termed sin and evil, among men, is but the
misdrection or perverson of the attributes of the
human SOUL which are substantially good and in
trinsicaly pure
We believe that, in consequence Of law of SYM
pathy and universal dependence by which all
created things are inseparably united and con-
nected together, the individual affects society,
and that society moulds and shapes the individual.
And we believe that all men have two important
responsibilities resting upon them: Isl. The protec-
ton, welfare, and harmonization Of the individual.
I'd. The protection, welfare, and harmonization of
society
We believe it to be our highest interest and legi-
innate duty to discover, and decry, and remove
every conceivable barrier and obstruction which,
in any manner whatsoever, may serve to derange,
impede, or arrest the progressive deyelopement of
peace on earth and good will to all men. We,
therefore, hereby resolve to declare ourselves free
and independent Of all personal, social, educational
and theological habits, customs, and restrictions
which initiate against, or prevent US from accom-
pishng these grand and glorious ends Of our crea-
tion and destiny
Among some of the reasons why we are conscien-
tiousy impelled to make this open avowal of our
sacred sentiments-this Declaration Of Indepen-
dence-are those which follow
First-The present organization or structure of
society, although vastly better now than in any
previous age Of the world, nevertheless engenders
personal and national animosities. IL developes
many and various antagonisms. IL imposes restric-
tions upon the natural rights and enjoyments Of
life, and leaves unprotected against the ills Of
disease and accident, by encouraging and support
ing monopolies, which are monarchies, and by aid
ing and perFetuating poverty, and consequent
crime, and consequent misery.
Second-lt docs not reform the criminal and tho
morally deformed, by fraternal and hespitable
treatment. Ii does not attract the gambler from
his hades Of vice, by kindness and principles Of
brotherly love and good will nor the voluptuary
from his pandemonium, by the positive sphere Of
love and wisdom but il incarcerates and brutality
dsposes Of the transgressor and the criminal, and
rcpels the gambler and the lcentious man with pre-
judicial words and righteous department.
Tbird-It contaminates our youth. II converts q
joyful and confding child into sad and suspecting
man it transforms fair and happy mind into q
dsproportioned and miserable one; and, Gomez
direction, and error among men.
Fourth-lt developes the evils known a. prosti-
tuition, cupidlty, envy, malice, Implicitly, and
hypocrisy; and makes subsistence and prosperity,
and even life or existence itself, dependent upon,
and nseparatey connected with, individual intrigue,
deception, and knavery.
Fihh-It 10 based upon antagonistic and conflict.
ing interests and professions and thus derangcs and
perverts the natural legitimate development Of
the enterprsing and energring faculties Of the hui
man mind, and causes these faculties 10 manifest
Themselves In strifes, contentious, wars, and In
cold, proscriptive, sordid selhshness.
Sixh-1t keeps ups perpetual war between la
Dor and capital II sanctions a conflict between In
terest and duty. IL causes man TO lacerate and
deform his conscience-to smother the inward moni-
TORN order TO augment his worldly interests and
emolumcnts. This Is true Of all the trades and pro-
LESSONS. On the other hand, the present structure
Of society compels q man to sacrifice his worldly
interests-yea, his reputation, his profession, his
friendships, his subsistence and life even-in order
to honestly obey the serene voice Of duty, which
intuition constantly whispers in his Utmost ear Tho
saying has become almost proverbial, that can
honest man cannot succeed In business"
Sevsnth-1t makes the lawyers interest consist
In individual and social dsturbano contentious
ltigations, and heightened continuous disputes
His inward dety-his mate love Of truth, and JUS
| tice, and harmony-may frequently prompt the
lawyer to seriously pray FOR the utter bsnishment
| Of all dscsrds and disputes; yet nevertheless, his
interest impels him to procrsstinate and complcats
| individual disturbances in every possible aud CON
| ceivnble manner. This conflict bctween interest
aud duty we hold TO be yitiating and dsmorali,ing
| TO mankind We hold that that man 10 immorally
| situated whose duty tells him one thing and his
interest another. And this 10 the work Of present
| society.
Il Is.rhtk a.