The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-04-29
CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH.
Reason and Religion Both Necessary for
True Observation-Disclosures by Rev. @.
G.. Carpentcr. OF Boston.

Reason and Religion Both Necessary for
True OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Ivy Rev. G.
G. Carpenter, OF Boston.
The delightful weather OF the past few days, sue
cceded by the balmy air and bright sunshine OF
yesterday, have regularly initiated the spring
fashions. This was especially noticeable ut the
Church OF the Messiah, corner OF Park avenue and
Thrty-fouith street, where gay bonnets and light
dresses seemed to Mghten up the whole place.
Rev. G. g. Carpenter, OF Boston Highlands occupied
the pulpit. Ills subject was 'Reason Necessary to
Region,n and was based upon II. limo
thy, L., Z. Love and reason are the
gifts OF God, as the Apostle says
SO cur consciousness declares. But love and
sound mind, Interpreted by moderns, may mean
religion and reason, the two hemispheres that
make the perfect sphere. What freshness and
fascination have the higher objects of the mind
They are ever new, something is always presenting
itself, there Is q continual state Of advancement
When
sTRAYING FROM THE PATH OF DUTY
1T Is religion that recalls us; in disappointment
lgion whispers Of eternal joy. Religion is, then,
not dream; 1t lisa pure reality of the soul. Rea-
son seeks truth for Its object, plants seek the
light. We long to know, not because In this practi-
Cal world knowledge Is power but because there is
happiness IN ITSELF God placed IN lis an intellect to
sweep the skies explore the land ana dive beneath
Old Ocean. The first impression the external world
makes upon us IL Gods intelligence. In every star
His wisdom shines ~ scattered broadcast I'll over
the world. After dwelling at eloquent length on
this part OF his discourse the reverend speaker
went on TO declare that we are exhorted 10 prove
all things THAT reason s better than silver. Here,
then, are two instincts-reiglon aud reason. They
mutually dependent. That Is the highest life
where faith and reason look in each other's eyes
with something ike lovers gaze. The bird In his
flight must start from earth ana must start in his
flight by a jump; so religion must start from reason.
The bird, wnen weary, returns to earth for rest;
like this We must sink back to
CHAOS AND DESPAIR.
without reason, religion Is infant crying in
the dark. Ideas must underlie and give character
to our divine instincts. This has been recognized
the ancient5 has grown obsolete. The religious
track needs repairing or everything will go ioltng
gorge Of nndellty We do not take Tor new build n
ngs wood that has already been worn out, nor are
we TO- take So ro Morn orthodoxy We are to
our reason to-day. Reason needs a bound
less field to expatiate on. When Keplor two or
three centuries aso announced his laws, he was
being believed. Calico had demonstrated that the
motion OF the sun Was apparent; he was compelled
to recant this on his bonded knees because tho
Papal authority differed To day the school boy
knows Kepler's laws are true; all the world knows
suffered from this triumph OF reason over Papal
authority No, it gave her ampler field. Know
ledge gives o n NEW glory to al rssons It gives
son has rendered an eminent service by
ELIMINATING SUPERSTITION AND TERROR,
making the Deity "a thing OF beauty and 10y for
ever ignorance makes the lightning ana storm
the manifestations of an eyi. spirit. Superstition
seeks by bloody means to appease this awful being
The intellectual conceptions out OF which religion
springs are all wanting. There Is yet cloud over
the heads or some professors because OF ancient
idle fancy Knowledge changes al this; dethroncs
the frightful image, and places in his stead gentle
loving God. Hope succeeds despair. There is one
more danger to religion, which reason alone can
rectify; IL is
FROrHY sENTIMENTAIIsM.
Before modern thought was born every dogmatic |
assurance OF high authority was believed; but
alone can satisfy 1t Ia mournful to contemplate
the decaying Catholic saints. They were the Keen
est of men, the leaders OF civilization. They are
now sentmentailsts. Weakness and inanity will,
always result when
REASON Is sFlFAHATED FROM RELIGION.
On the other hand reason needs rchyton. simple
ratocination does not satisfy us. We feel tie con-
cus,ons. but the heart Is unsat!shcd. Reason with
out religion Is desert where til, choicest Mowers
never grow. The sight OF the rose is reason: tue
fragrance is religion The rsasoners OF the
last century ruined. They ruined In teaching
They renewed superstition, but they should have
doue mOre they should have soyn Tie seeds ioi
needy souls We must conclude, then, the speaker
said, that reason and religion are essential to each
other, ana II we develop one TO the exclusion OF the
other we have but . iragmcntary part. Religion
sees not the silly thing she had imagined; she sees
high DOW and ANA a clear eye. The DAY OF their
uptiata Is most surely coming. The eypectant
bride and groom are waiting, Religion shal not
always he compelled TO obey reason, nor reason be
vexed with the pettIncss of religion o. glorious
benihcent and saving power.