New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-04-23

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Voice of the young professor by their vociierous
clamor. Reran looked calmly down on the noisy
scene, and at last compelled tie attention Of his
opponents. The theme of his discourse was the
Influence Of tho Semitic races on the history Of
civilization. The discussion led him TO speak OF
the founder Of the Christian religion, TO whom he
alluded as follows: :" \ man Incompatible so
great that although everything here should be con-
sdered from a scientific point of view, do not
wish to contradict those who struck with the ex-
cep,ional character of Lis works, call him Sod
The uttcrance OF this sentence was the signal for
fierce tumult. Vehement and angry demonstra-
tons proceeded from the adherents Of the clergy.
The students, On the other hand, who had crowded
into the hall when they heard that the Church
party were attempting TO drive the fearless pro-
fossor from his chair, responded with load and
earnest applause The clergy could not stiAe the
voice Of the speaker but the Government wishing
to coHc,liGte the party OF the church, issued
decree the next day susponding III. kenans course
indefinitely. great excitement ensued. The
educated classes generally protested against the
order The professor was greeted with loud expires
sions of sympathy. His house was besicgcd with
throngs Of admirers. Their enthusiasm was mani
tested by nightly serenades. 1t was hoped that
such an outburst Of Indignation would cause the
decree to bo revoked But it was all in vain. M.
Rcnan aid not appear in the College again; he was
conscious Of enjoying the approval Of just and
! liberal thinkers; and he was content to "blde ms
time" when he could treat in public the origin of
religious history, which was the subject of serious
rlisapprehcnsions, perhaps Of pcrversiors. lie had
long cherished the hope that he might embody the
fruits Of his profound researches in work of popu-
lar interest lie commenced this labor in Palestine,
with no other help than few books, and nnder the
afcctionate influence of his sister, whose untimey
death hastencd his return to France before tho COM
petOn of his task.
| From this time n. Rcnan was free from the re-
strants of official life, and Tesuming his studious
pursuits with fresh devotion, in about one year
after the scene in the College published his Life
of Jesus" as a virtual reply to the attacks of the
clergy. The reception which this work met with is
wei known. Forty thousand copies were sold in the
course Of six weeks. The foundations which 1t
called forth from the clergy were equalcd only by
tie aVplauses which Il received from host of schol
airs and thinking men. The reading public in
France Holland, and Germany and TO q certain
extent in England and the United States, welcomed
its discussions if not as satisfactory earnest in
geHious, and singularly suggestive. Al Rome, the
Pope committed several copies Of it to the flames in
the gardens of the cuirinal.
The religious system Of NJ. Renan scarcely admits
of being presented in scientific form. Several ill.,
tercsting hints however in regard to its character
are scattered up and down in different essays in this
volume The Divine Providence, in his opinion. is
not distinct from the order so constant, so per-
fcctly wise, just and bengnant, which rcignsin the
laws Of the universe. Gods not capTicious being,
acting by fits ard starts allowing the clouds gen
orally to follow their course but making them devil
ate, in answer TO prayer; leaving an organ Of the
human bodyto dccompose up TO ainpoint, but
staying the decomposition on account Of vow;
changing his mind in word, according 10 persua-
sion or interest, or favor Such NJ God is not
scientific. But tho true God of the human
conscience is unassailatle. We believe in
him bya spontaneous ipvincible faith, not from
more OF less ingenious process Of reasoning. A
sacred voice in the conscience speaks to man
Of the world Of the ideal, the world Of truth, of
goodness Of justice of spiritual and eternal beauty.
He who shall consecrate his life TO the good, the
true and the beautiful, is the most genuine relig
ions man. Ii is only in the world Of the ideal that
religious faith has its natural origin. II is there
that tho living God is felt, though he does not
prove himself. We need no miracles TO believe in
him. but only listen in silence to the intuitye rev.
Citations Of our own hearts. Men who have had
living and fruitful sentiment Of Godhav never put
these questions in a contradictory wGy. Their
genius would have been consumed in such vain
subtleues. They have been neither Dests, after
the manner of the French and English schools, nor
Pantheists, after the German. They have power
fully felt God; they have liked i'll him; they have
not defined him.
According to their faith Nature is only an APP
pcarance Man is phenomenon. There is the
eternal foundation; there is the Infinite, the Sub
stance the Absolute, the Ideal. This is the Father
from whose bosom all things Issue, and TO whose
bosom all things return.
OF oil the manifestations Of human nature, argues
NJ Renan, religion is the lofiest and the most fas
cnating. Among all kinds Of poetry, this best ae
composites the ultimate purpose Of art, namely, TO
lift man above tie vulgar life, and 10 awaken in
bin the sentiment of his heavenly origin. No
where do the lofty instincts of the heart more
clearly show themselves. Even if one adopts the
special doctrine of none of the great religious faiths
that have shared the world among them, there re-
suits from them all one great fact which constitutes
the most consoling pledge Of a mysterious future
where the race and the individual will reap the
fruit OF their labors and sacrifices. Religion is thus