Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-08-10
REASON versus II evel ation.

verse the heading of an article in your
issue of July 31st, by your correspondent
sc. W." and would try TO say a little
more IN defense of reason, "that noblest
gift of man." than he was apparently
willing to do. hold, that in order for a
man to accept of any reform, he must be
convinced that there must be some better
way for him to do than he has been doing,
and this can only be arrived at by pro-
cess Of reasoning How many man will
frankly acknowledge that he does not do
as well as he knows how to do, and that
if he would only follow more closely bis
inward promptings, he would be better,
and happier man. I presume this is
the experience of nearly every reasoning
being. Let US look for moment at some
causes that might have some influence in
giving him want Of decision In follow
science. The first is the endesvor on the
part of the religious teachers of the past
and present age, to place something else
paramount to reason. 1t gives a chance
for one to reason thus to himself: II
know I am not taking the best course in
all things; it would be far better for me
to do otherwise; my reason tells me so ;
but then that is not the best guide, |
must wait for some revelation, some
straA ge, wonderful power outside of and
extraneous TO myself, to urge, or take me
into better life" Oh, how many man
has waited for this uatil it was too late,
habits of wrong doing becoming too con-
hrmed for the powers of will or reason to
break. Would it not be better to teach
mankind to heed these inward prompt
.ings;> to place them paramount to every
thing else never TO wait for anything
better; that all reform mast come from
within, and not by any outsideinfueDces );
that we have powers inherent in our na-
lures to do this good work if we will only
give them fair play, and get into the
habit of needing themP If these prompt
ings come from reading sacred history
or revelation, well and good if they
come from any other source they should
be needed equslly az well, we should
never despise what reason decides to be
truth, let the source be what it may. He
speaks of the inefeiency o. human reason
III regard to the ancient Romans, Egypt
ians, aud Grecians, and contrasts them
with the enlightened nations of the pres
eut age
But is it not true that the reasoning
faculties of men are as susceptible Of pro-
eress IL any other mental .powers ?. The
world has gained in experiences since
that time, the facilities for improvement
by the getting at the experiences Of others
through writing, the printing press, etc,
gives the minds Of to-day a superiority !
over those of the past. Might not the
greater emily htment of to-day be as much
owing to such causes. as from the fact
that we accept what is called recitation
Your correspondent speaks of Barbarians
and Chinese and recommends all who
would lay too much stress upon reason to
20 aud live with them. Perhaps we can
give theory which may give q reason
Tor the condition the Chinese are in to-
lay. They have been walled and hedged
II by their Confucian religion or philoso-
ply, making that paramount to reason, &C.
,epting that AS authority in everything,
md the bounds and limits OF all their
literary attachments, until in coursa of
ime they have come TO perfect stand
till. with no chance for the mind or rea-
on 10 expand, until that barrier is swept
way, and left them free to join in tho
treat march Of human progress. l APP
,rehend the same causes that brought
hem where they are would bring any
'ther people or nation to,the same conai
ion. Circumscribe the minds of man by
NY human invention or authority, place
barrier over which the march Of ideas |
must not pass, whether it be Confuciap
Koran, Bible or Revelation,
{ is all the same other things beiog equal,
nd you will dcthrone reason and only
Institute for it arbitrary human reeula- ,
ions which. viii certainly reduce the hu-
nan mipd to state Of MENTAL slavery. I
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FATDHAvE,J July 81