The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-04-14
Immortality of the Soul.

To TIE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-
While my mind was being exercised on the
weight or reasoning OF "Cato' and "Raonalist"
on the above subject felt relieved by another ar.
ucle on the same by q contributor over the sigma
ture OF "A Believer" OF whom expected much to
remove my sceptical clouds. But, alas | Lave
been much disappointed.
The most fatal result To ever so good cause is a
weak or unwise advocate, and am fearful "A
Believer stands In this position think it fair to
admit that universal ana natural de-
sire and longing in exists for I'M
mortallty-a continuation OF existence after
death. But OF us absolute assurance, beyond q
strong hope and a tradition OF faith what do we
really know "A Believer' talks about faith and
Ignores reason. Now, faith Is a good thing, but q
natural question arlses-iai:h In whatS If there is
merit in faith, the Mahommedan, the Brahmin, the
HindOo, the Mormon and the Catholic far exceed
the Protestant Christian In It's abundance. But
think hear "A BELIEVER exclam, But these are
heathens." Well what OF tnat9 "But our reason
teaches they ignorant, benighted and contra
dictory; ana what Is contradictory tells
Us cannot be true" All, our reason teaches us
Thus even IN matters OF faith are refer every.
thing to our reason. SO "A BeIiever'' will stutify
himself, and in spite OF the much vilihed Paine has
to call TINS apostle OF reason to his rescue
Now, am earnestly In search OF proofs Of mans
~ ama am moI nI n put sannot IN
friend "A Bellever,n refer everything my reason
tor II he did not he might be Mormon or some-
ihing else. want something reasonable TO base
latin upon. My Kind -hearLed Trend, "A Believer"
would refer me to the venerable Scriptures. Here
again am annoyed Uy my reason. l seize tile Dl-
vine word ana open TO Eccesiastes H., 49, 70. II,
and read, 49,
49, For that which bealeth the sons of men befaleth
beasts thing belaleh them the de,h
dieh the other yoa they have all one BREATH SO that
hath no pre-eminence over beast; for all Is vanity.
70 All 80 TO one places all are Of the dust and all return
n Who knoweth the spirit tina, soeth upwards and the
spirit of the oeast that goeth to the earth =
Here Is cold comfort FOR an unwilling sceptlc.
turn To the New Testament. hoping to mud some
sure foundation for an assurance OF immortal
ity. True, much is written upon the faith OF III.
ture spiritual state, aud much sound moral teaching
enumerated, and the primitive Christians doubtless
suffered persecution IN thousand various forms,
messed. on, thar nad lived III those days
We are assured by Jesus after ne had risen from
the grave-Luks xvi, l7-"And these signs shall
cast out devils they snall speak with tongues;
they shall take up serpents aud II they drink any
deadly thing II shall not hurt them: aud they shall
Law hand on the SICK, and they shall recover"
ASK my religious teachers only TO give me some
aud talk Of ialth-faitn IN the Lamb-of great mis-
slonary work among Inc neathen; put the promised
are taeys What am to inter- rnat ali our e de-.
vout Christian teachers are bogus; tnat preaching
has merely become trade, mere lash
petition OF can't as 1t were, ''lke sounding
brass or lnkng cymbal - Goa forbid |
The truth L. from want or these promised signs OF
Jesus l am fast settling down into a condition OF
indifference | have heard from time TO time OF the
wonders oil Spirltuasm; or their absolute inter-
course with departed friends, and have many
worthy, sensible friends who are converts To this
faith. NV religious friends counsel me by all means
To AVOID this satanic snare; that although II NAV
demonstrate Immortality 1t Is sheer daDolism, and
will most a-ssuredy lead me into troupe. Now.
the caution Of my friends L highly respect, but, as
In everything else re. er TO the guidance OF my
son, which thank God, mas never deserted me, 1
am almost tempted In spite OF toe denunciatlons OF
the Church, TO give this subject an investigation.