The Van Buren press., 1875-06-15
PURE RELIGION THE HIGHEST cuL
TURE.
From the Thesaurum Of Nature.

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amid the varying circumstances Of life is
not alway apparent, but often requires
the labor of thought and investigation
to decide what may be best; which ex.
pericnce may still prove not to have been
the better course So, it appears, that
experience teaches this lesson. that all
value in morals. as well rs in physical
conditions, is only attained by labor.
The one who follows in the steps Of
his ancestors, in all things. as the China
man who labors as his torefathers, and
worships as they did, is in accord with
all who do likewise, and cannot conceive
that any other way could be right.
But he, who has more extended view,
can choose according as his mind has
been enlightened with more of pity than
ccnsurc for the one whose bias of educa
ton has bound him to the groove from
which he has no ability to cytricate him
otll oo. IC lual iCItiNSS MO -ioH .
proved and established feels that his is
the only true one, and pitics or censares
all who cannot see as he does. But he
who has more extended view, and wit
nesses all the good resulting from all re-
ligions, as well as the evils, and notes
the almost innumerable faiths and sects,
and their bitter animosities, mutual crimi
nations, and recriminations, may he at a
loss to decide what he had best do. Feel
ing desire to adjust himself to the will
of that Power, which is immeasurably be-
yond the scope of the mortal powers, he
may labor long and earnestly before bis
mind can rest on a solution that will sat
lsfy his hopes, and, his fears.
Some persons, who from their early
youth up TO mature age had been afilict-
ed with these painful uncertainties, met
five years ago, and exchanged ideas
They found that the result oftheir lone.
~ mcditations through life had brought
them to the same conclusions as to the
truths OF religion Through life, they had
seldom, if ever, met with any one who
appreciated their opinions, or :hcir sin
cerity in the search after truth.
The following embody the results of
their inquiries
That religion is necessary TO man, and
that the highest virture cannot be at
tanned without it. That it is a law of our
nature established as all other laws of
nature are established. by the wisdom
and omnipotence of God Himself. That
all religions from the lowest upward are
permitted in providence, and have more
or less that is true in them that is, what
ever may be the symbol through which
they worship, that which refers to the
inscrutable power of God, is true. That
religion may he all,sullicicnt to its
earnest votary, that may he based on
doctrines not acceptable to the more cul-
tivatcd intellect That there is pure re-
ligion which may yet be attained by our
race, AS it advances in the higher culture.
That the higher culture cannot be reached
by any other means than the study of
nature. That all that is true in any reli.
gion is in exact accordance with nature
That there is nothing in nature opposed
to pure religion. That various religions
may serve as true for their devotees, but
not pure, as long as they have anything
that does not harmonic with nature
That when pure religion is attained it
will commend itself to every truly cult
valed mind. In it there will be no
schisms; there may be differ mt degrees Of
advancement; ; but all will be on the same
line of progress, like students in science,
but no difference in theory. Should any
point Of discussion arise, truth would be
the end sought until attained. or the
question put at rest, by the discovery
that it is beyond the reach of human in
vestigation
There is abundant reason now TO think
that the minds Of many have been pass
ing through great changes, on the mo-
mentous subject here presented
In the last two years, an aged minister
of the Gospel, from his own unaided
contemplation Of the subject Of religion,
came to the conclusion that he had limo.
Gently taught its doctrines in way that
is no longer compatible with his reason
TO use his own words: 81 hear those
of age and experience who profess to
speak Gods word in His august name,
from the pulpit in Gods house, in hear.
ing of those who profess to be the disci
plies of the beloved Christ, spinning from
fancy's woof, long discourses that have
no reality in heaven or earth, built on
the baselcss fabric Of a vision How
is it possible that the cansc Of truth can
be promoted by such pseudo teaching
Indeed, it has come TO pass that there is
better theology out of the church than
in it; more truth a better understanding
Of nature and natures god The time
has come that something must be done
to elevate theology; as known truth has
advanced the cause Of humanity, and left
theology halting behind. He further
said, that il promulgating truth is the OBJ
ject, By which to elevate and benefit our
audience, il must be presented in such a
mode that the reason can accept it; to
try to convince by any other method is
to trine with the highest powers Of the
mind, and prostitute it to accept PROPOSE
tons that have no tangible support in the
rational powers. To enlighten reason is
to advance truth: to teach dogmas is to
stultify the mind.
The Rev DR.. Thomas Dick eXertcd
his brilliant mind and great talents dur
ing his long life by his sermons and ex
tensivc writings, in pottraying the beau
ties Of pure religion, and the importance
Al, IL, al 30, hA