The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1875-02-27

As A WRITER on political economy, the name of
John Stuart Mill stands very high, and Justly SO.
His "Logic" and " Liberty, - are grand mouu-
ments reared by an unparalleled scholar. But
those who have with pleasure and profit read
these works of the distinguished author, will find
a difficulty in believing that the Essays on Relig-
ion, published since his death, could come from
the same source. 1t was a shock to the religious
sentiment of Christendom to hear from the Bel
fast scientists an expression Of grave doubt of the
purity and truth Of religion, for it was felt that
they struck at the most solemn interests and sen
timents and gave no unimportant blow at the
basis of all human society. If such the judgment
which the theories of Tyndall and Huxley pro-
voked. what must be said Of Mllls's bold impeach-
ment of Christianity and all its faiths?
1t is a confession in which even the most indul-
gent reader will be shocked to perceive a tone of
exultation, of utter disbelief in those religious
hopes and maxims in which all modern civilization
fndsIts justification, as well as upon which it leans
for its most sure support. Mr.. Mill does not even
hesitate to deny that religion is indispensable to
the welfare of mankind, and considers it, at best,
but local, temporary and accidental. Inasmuch
as all the benefit likely to accrue from Christi
GLANJ nus dAACaAl EtNdLGu ~ mdukiuu, HG Is
inclined to abandon it for some undeyeloped and
incomprehensible idea founded on materialIstic
theories. The precepts of the Bible once thrown
aside, he is sure of some moral philosophy, or
system of meterial ethics, better adopted to the
wants and purposes of mankind.
Thus it would seem that men Of great learning
and lofty lives, like Mill, are apt to be more dan
gerOus to society by the misuse of their scholarly
requirements than are all the evils which now be-
set it. They are more formidable for their intel
lect, which clothes in n sort of grandeur their idea
that science should mOnOpolize reason, and relig-
ion be left to the emotions.
And here let us observe that the men OF deep
thought and science of the day are achieving a
great work for the world. Their discoveries and de-
mOnstratiOns are the intellectual glory of the age.
But there is a limit in the allegiance of the pub
lie mind beyond which they are powerless to
pass. II they attempt to exceed it they may in
deed do some harm, but the inevitable result will
be to discredit them and cause their own rejection
as teachers Of men. The sentiment Of religion is
too deeply seated in mankind to be exercised by
mathematical thesis or the experiments Of a labo-
ratory. Men may be learned in scientific ways,
and cunning in argument, but when
they attempt to unmOOr society from the anch-
orage Of faith and cast it adrift upon the uncer-
tain and dark sea of infdeIity, they encounter OBJ
stacles in the instincts and common sense of man
kind that are not to be overcome.
Religion is a sentiment that has grown and
strengthened as the world has grown in c~iviIiza-
ton, and is now the foundation of all human
society. 1t is not likely to be oyerthrown because
speculative thinkers or great scientific theorists
decry it, but it viii survive when society itself
shall be wrecked and lost.