The New York herald., 1874-08-30

To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
Some of your correspondents meet the argu-
ments OF sceptics and inidels, not with arguments
founded on reason, logic or the Bible, but with
mendacty, invective and vtuperatiOn, which
never can and do not convince. Argument must
be met with argument. logic with logic criticism
with criticism. The in1deis and sceptics of the
present day, as well as those of times past, COM
prise the most brilliant intelects of the age.
Greatly gifted geniuses and progressive minds
have ever been sceptical. orthodox Christians
have. from the inception Of their doctrines, been
persevering assallants OF science and uncompro-
missing enemies to investigation and all research
that did not emanate from Bible starting point.
1t is now an accepted fact that intelligent expo
nents Of Bible dogmas dare not permit themselves
a conscientious course OF investigation, knowing
full well that the result would be mental misgiving
and doubt, subverting cherished beliefs, ana leav-
Ing them nounderng in hopeless misery.
With regard TO the life eternal, it Is thought and
boldly asserted by the leading minds OF the day
that Christianity has eliminated and, to the pro-
phetic eye OF the keen observer is on the retro
grade side OF the summit 1t had attained. 1t is q
rather curious and absurd paradox that, nOtwith-
standing Catholicity III all its ramifcatiOns has
1uriously combated the most convincing discov.
eres OF scien 1t pertnacously claims that the
advanced condition OF knowledge Is entirely attrib
utape 10 tDe light shed by the HOLY Gospel and Its
teachings. Tne intelligent reader may truth
fully exclaim, How ridiculoUsr' II has been
the mission OF all history to e0us that Christian
ity has been the incubus that well nigh crushed out
the enlightenment taat now surrounds and guides
US. To retard astronomical investigation, 10
interdict the reading OF that mysterious
tone, written IN star characters on the blue
canopy OF the heavens, mas been the province
Of Christianity to nprison in the dungeons OF the
InqulsitIOn the votares oil learning to immediate on
the swords point to inaugurate ensanguined feuds
and decInatiDg wars; to shed rivers oil innocent hu
man blood has been the province OF Wanted Chris
tianity. one claim IT is legitimately entitled to-
that or making rapid history. Cosmos, in the sixth
century, constructed the elaborate theory that the
earth was a nat paralelogram. surrounded by
water anc high walls. Also that the sun, alter
performing It's diurnaI tour was enscOnced In
PIT Tor tue night to rise again IN the morning to
adopted by the Church and supported by numer.
Gus scriptural quotations lor over ten centuries.
strated the rotundlty OF the earth, and noble
Calico, VINO followed with his telescope.
could rise from their graves, what
tale could they relate OF their prosecution
by Christianity. Newton, Pascal, Locke How
ard and other eminent expounders OF natural
science were denounced, aspersed and neld up to
obloquy because their opinions differed from the
established do2mas, as interpreted py the Church.
unscrupulously hurled at them. rhe most bitter
alterations were engaged in, but, In the end,
truth ana demonstrated science trlumphantly sup.
SPAIN Italy, Mexico ana South America, and you
see peoples IN semi-barbarous condition. ad-
ment, anarchy, STRIFE and intestine war ever pre-
vailIDR; and why ri ! answer. because they are
trammelled with prlestcrait. Honest toll is taxed
oppressively to support the Church, with its thou
sands oil drones time Is consumed BY holidays in
c0mmemoration OF the birth OF some mythical
SAINT GENERALIZATION is the rule, irugality, indus
Try and honesty are anomalies and general men
dicty ~ all prevalent This much for Christianity.
me Christan asserts tnat III the nature OF things
sceptics are lot the most part vain, conceted and
shaIDw-mlnded persons. IL ~ presnmabie TINS re-
MARX y ihtehded ior suchJDts''e1t0ai )nnunaries