Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-06-05
The Modern Substitute for Chri.tlan,,y.

The Modern Substitute for Christianity.
We made allusion some days since TO the
Inauguration of Mr.. James Parton as Pres
idont of the New York Liberal Club. The
matter is worth recurring To-, not on ac-
count Of the Importance of the nature Of Mr..
Parlon's address. Tho class of people rep
resented by the New York Liberal Club
and other organizations OF the same char
acter in this country and England, is made
up Of that school of modern philosophers
who make war more or less openly, moro
or less actively, upon what they are pleased
to term the religious superstitions of the
day. The faith of the churches, they say,
is obsolete it answered very well for the
earlier ages, and for man in state of semi
civilization, but it cannot meet its modern
obioctors, it cannot hold its own with sci
ence, and is destined TO take its place with
fire-worship and feishism. The Bible is
very excellent book, ncongruous and in
complete, TO he sure, butremarkable forliter-
ary qualities, and interesting as memorial
of the past. The Fisher of Galilco was
very good man, teacher of singular pow
or and purity, misguided possibly, but
nevertheless one Of the most remarkable
characters in history. These very amable
| philosophers of the day, having found the
| folly and futility of the eiIete traditions of
the churches, are unwilling that their fel
low-men should be any longer burdened
thereby, and are ready TO lead them up TO
their own serene nights of sclf-complacent
| philosophy. This being the case, it be-
| Of ;,,4a 10 al,
they have 10 offer in the place of the faith
whose falsity they have discovered.
Doubtless the Christian religion is still
| held by very many who find in it what
they bindly imagine TO be peace and COM
fort. Sustained by its precepts and prom
ses, llany millions Of people have lived
pure and honest lives, and have died hope
fully and TRANQUILITY. 1t is pity, Of course,
that the masses of people should be so de-
| luded, but it is out of the question that they
can be persuaded 10 give up the faith they
now have without adopting some sub
stitutc. 1t is interesting, therefore, we say
TO learn what these Liberal philosophers
have to offer. Let US listen TO Mr.. Parton
their spokesman, and ascertain what 1t is.
Mr.. Parton announces, in the first place,
that the human race is tossed upon this
round bail OF earth, naked and shelterless,
and sent whirlng through space why we
don't know, and whence we don't know,
and whittier we don't know" The sole
duty of man, as further stated by Mr.. Par
ton, is to chang together and stand by the
interests Of the whole Bodybuilding
nothing for granted, welcoming all cccen-
trin &c l,o
cause it has been believed for long time,
tolerant of everything except intolerance,
and charitable even for that, and objectng
to nothing except ill-humor, discourtesy
and insincerity." "There is no help for
man but in himself"
Here, then, we have the article Of the
Liberal creed as formulated by Mr.. Parton.
This it is which is TO take the place of the
old and worn out faith. We have at last
clear enuntation of the new cvaagel
Let US look at it moment: Instead of the
idea Of a watchful and controlling Provi.
dence, caring even for the sparrow's fall
and providing for the daily wants Of mum.
borless creatures, we have blind Some
thing which is tossing and whirlng the
race through space, without regard to the
why, whence or whittier In place of The
doctrine OF the strengthening presence o
God in the heart Of man, we have man il
his loneliness, "with no help but in him
self" In place OF the two-fold command
ment Of love to God and love TO man, W.
have the imperative duty OF changing To-
gether,' and "objecting to ill-humor, dis
courtesy and insincerity." Strange, ism
it, that the churches are not swift to aban
, don their battered and threadbare creed
l and take up with faith which brings 5,
great comfort and help; which is so cheer
t ful and inspirting, and which must maxi
ii SO easy to face the duties of this life an,
. the uncertainties of the next?
5 II is not our office or aim to enter init
t religious discussions of any kind. Blu
; when the question becomes one betweel
, religion and no religion, between faith ant
universal skepticism, we cannot refrail
from speaking. We desire only that III
old, simple, comforting faith may be com
pared for moment with this new creed o
9 the new philosophers, in order that it ma,
n be seen what dreary and ghastly subsii
! tute the latter is for the former" ."-BoSto
g Journal.