The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1875-11-11
educational.
d. II. ELETT, Editor.
MIND WORSHIP.

MIND WORSHIP.
It is natural for US To admire that
which we have been Instrumental in for
mig or beaatlfying. That upon which
we have spent our LABOR and thought
comes to be regarded as an essential part
of our being Il the childhood Of man,
1t is the work of the hands that claims
the attention.. As be advances in age and
acquires wisdom. The productions of the
intellect call forth his admiration. Rising
higher lnsihe scale Of knowledge and
experience, he Worships at the shrine of
intellect .stlll ascending he kncels with
devotion In the presence OF a higher
power-an invlsi BILE Cause and Creator of
the mind itself. This, modified to a
certain extent by revelation or education,
appears to be the general plan of mans
progress, whether we take an individual.
life ASIAN example, or trace the progress
of the race from historical records.
Ofthe dlH rent classes, in tueir res
pectlve places of development, one of the
most prominent is composed of the Mind
Wcrsbipers, who regard their idol, the
Human Intellect, as the highest and only
self existing power. Here We may rank
the Atheist, denying the existence OF a
higher creative power; the Pantheist,
Regarding matter as Identical with mind;
and the Misanthrepe, blinded to all ex-
ternal Objects by the steady gaze inward
upon the dazzling brightness Of his own
intellect. In this class may also be plac-
cd the sdherents Of Rationalism, and the
followers of an ideal morality, refusing
to recognize the laws of higher, "a
divine agency; assuming thatth human
MUD, by It's own instructive knowledge
Of good and evil, is qualified to construct
the laws by Which individuals should be
governed and making other laws which
regulate duty subordinate to this infalI-
able moral law. whose origin Is in the
human mind.
| Although these may all differ in maLY
respects, still they agree in the endeavor
to make all other objects of worship
inferior III rank and power to their
mighty idol. Intellect. Though they
have by continued research and concentra-
ted thought, added much to the secular
knowledge of the world, still morally
they have been an obstacle to the most
perfect development Man, from his
nature, must have some ideas concerning
life and duty. and when no other creed
is embraced, he naturally falls into an
uni eremonious form Of worship of that
invisible, mysterious, ever present force
I by Which he controls and is controlled
| To the learned this devotion to intel-
lsct seems particularly attractive. When
( the min5 hos been strengthened by learn
ing and culture supeTstl lous ceremonies
and beliefs Lac but little force; there
| is 3 desire tor something more consistent.
| III truth pure ard SIMPLE is not then
presented, this partial truth, supremacy
| of Int lecr, will take he place. This
phase of worship may also be the result
of pride, and the overestimate OF 1.-THE
mental powers. Learning is regarded
as the great end OF life, rather than.the
means of living the most perfect life
Opinions recognized by The maJorltysaie
not suitable for those in higher posi-
tion the latter prefer a religion founded
Ion learning rather than on love. Rfain
truths are more readily accepted By the
ignorant; they have no long cherished
Eatheistic opinions TO set aside, no subtitle
Theological points to discuss, no pride In
INTELLECT to sacrifice.
We see tendency to Mind Worship
in the present century, although IN the
hast it was stronger and more universal.
IL is phase of development which mnsa
tie passed through Id give pleeae 20 the
higher We are climbing lofty noun
tain, and wish to gain the sum saAt; shall
we stop upon one Of the 'oser peaks
while the higher towers above US? Shall
we not make every peak only a.stepping
stone, and pres onward to tho acme
VI