The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-05-02
Education and Religion.
VIEWS OF A PRESBYTERIAN MINISTER.
Savannah News April - |

Independent Presby terian Church, deliver
ed an able and interesting discourse last
night to a refined and intellectual congre-
cation, in which he lucidly discussed the
relations of education and religion. As
presenting a clear view of an important
subject, We lay before the readers of the
Nescs this morning such q synopsis of the
discourse az we are able to report:
The text was. Ecclesiastes l, 10: "In
much wisdom is much grief, and he that
increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow"
The speaker began by saying: "The
opinion prevails that knowledge is the
great power by which the Improvement
of the human race is to be effected. There
is o sense in which this is true. Knowledge
is the instrument, the lever, by which men
are elevated in the scale of being. But
this is not the meaning intended by those
who so confidently present knowledge as
the redeemer of the race. They reproduce
| in all it's length and breadth one of the
| dominant errors Of the day, viz. that
| which ascribes all the maladies of the body
polite and social to external causes, and
proposes to remedy them by external
means. According to this new gospel the
pansoea for all our woes is q cultivated
sin will disappear. Teach politi-
cal economy, and you will secure public
virtue. Show the drunkard the
inflamed tissues of the brain, and he will
| flee his cups. Persuade the thief that he
violates the principles of social economy,
and he will steal no more. In a
word, knowledge, education, is the power
which is to redeem the masses from the
thraldom of sin aud dirt, and elevate them
to the estate of the sons of God.
Having explained the connection and
meaning of his text the preacher announced
| h int1 k<,v kEaf ,Io<71
intellectual training or culture, arhen separG
ted from the energising Spirit of Christianity
| increases and intenSites, does not ameliorate
the miseries of mankind.
| The negative part of this proposition he
endeavored to prove by an appeal to mems
| the dIscoverie and Inventions of science.
Have these alleviated the cares and ankle
ties of business or lightened the brudens
of life Money is not easier, nor does
commerce Gow in smoother waters, be-
| cause merchants are in hourly communica-
ton with New York and Liverpool: The
same is true of the cares incident to me-
chanical and agricultural labor. In fact,
the steam engine, plough, telegraph and
sewing machine have caused thousands OF
wants to spring up. These have multiplied
faster than means to supply them. Were il
not that Christianity has utilized their in:
ventions to teach sympathy and love, and
to bind men by the ties of common
brotherhood, it could with truth be assert
ed that Watt, Stevenson and Morse had
added nothing to the sum total of human
happiness.
Nor have these things made men better
They increase motives and opportunities
for vice and crime. They cause men tt
look for more extended pleasures, and tc
press in pursuit of these regardless o.
means. The proceeds oflabor are not now
more justly divided than ormerly; in
, deed, rather the contrary.
There is no charm in knowledge tc
make men better. 1t simply, by it's direc
effects, increases mans natural powers
If man be bad, it adds to his power to DE-
evil if he be good, it increases his capaci
ty for good. The question is, are mer
good or bad 1t is admitted that the masse!
: are bad. Education, without the sanctropi
of religion, will, therefore, render then
moro powerful and dangerous. The differ
ence is precisely that between a phyllis
, enervated by excuses and a pugilist train
ed for a contest in the prize ring.
d. But admit THAI men are equally goot
and bad, and that, therefore, the additiona
harm done by the bad will be counterbal
anced by the increased good effected b,
} the virtuous it is still true that he VIII,
} increaseath knowledge, increased
, sorrow" This is effected, first, throHg
the operation of sy mpsthy.
1t is q curious fact that we sympathis
i than with reported joy. Increase and diff
fusion of knowledge, ability to read, ten
to increase out acquaintance with huma
s grlefrather than with joy. This is notorious
3 See the daily journals and the small talk Q
: society. The sorrows of men rather tina
= their joys are brought home to us, henc
: our sorrow is increased.
: Second. Increase of knowledge tend
l indirectly to increase vice and crime
= This is denied, but it is true. Reason il
Q men are bad, with q downward tendency
It Education gives additional impetus;
o not brake on the wheels, but steam i
r the engine. The effect of education on tn
g masses is, first to increase responsibility
= and the consciousness of it while the hear
n is unchanged aud the will unreneweG
8 The result is that bad men become worse
It and careless men more reckless.
b Third. 1t renders the masses more dis
If satisfied with their condition, while
Is affords them no ability, nor opportunity t
g amend it. Five out of every six must ear
g their living with their hands. Educat
n them from books alone and they will dis
y like the drudgery of farm and workshop
- will become AN easy prey to designin
| L.