The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1876-01-14
" Y,

slight modification, the result always
grossness and superstition.
The Romans, with all the pomp and
msgnificence that adorns their history,
were no exception to this rule. We now
turn from the Romans as pagans to the
Romans as Christians, bringing with
them as they did, the mass of mysteries
and groveling superstitions, which they
mingled with the new faith, at the in
stance of each fresh convert, until the
elements of the new became thoroughly
leavened with the idolatries Of the old.
Following the history of later religious
movements, we find much that is mys-
terious and visionary, spreading pail
over divine truths, which were so clearly
enunciated that none need have been
led astray, had they listened to the
voice of God, rather than to the voice OF
No an.
As we approach'the present time, the
multiplicity of ideas becomes more
complex, presenting to the thoughtful
or speculative mind an idealistic en-
tanglement, of which philosophy has
thus far failed to furnish a satisfactory
solution. Astrology has come down to
us through the dim ages of the past, to
offer its assistance in revealing the hid
den things Of the future. Spiritualism
lifts its aged form, though clothed in
modern garb, to direct those willing to
yield to its claims. Sciences of every
shape, form, and name are presented to
thinking minds, ever searching for
ideas, and claim the attention of those
who are willing, nay, desirous, to ex-
anime before condemning, as every per-
son capable of research should be will
ing to do. Prejudice is despicable ele-
ment, though strong one, that should
be banished from the thoughts of intel
ligent persons! Ethnology, compare
tive philology, and comparative theol-
ogy are made a basis Of speculation
that is declared to reach back into an
immeasurable priority of the scriptural
chronology. Yet these sciences assure
us "that nations most widely separated
and totally different in physical charac-
teristics, had a common origin" all OF
which is in exact accordance with
Scriptural testimony. Philosophy,
whether it emanates from the minds OF
Chaldean, Egyptian, Greek, or Roman,
Indian Veda, or Iranian Avesta, glow
ing with the subtle force of speculation
and poetry, dims not the lustre of d.
vine imagery, the truthfulness of Bib
lical inscription.
Epitomizing the ethnicisms of the
past, we have seen the condition In
which its subjects were placed, and
whether we look to those above enumer-
ated, or turn our attention to the exam
ination of the Sanscrlt and Vedas, glow
ing, it may be, with the accumulated
annals of Indian tradition uttered
through their Vedanta, which, after all,
only confusedly points out by tradition,
that which is so succinctly expressed In
lessly in semi-darkness, until enlight-
ened by the steady, unvarying truths
recorded in the grand utterances OF
Hebraic and Christian revelation.
Depth Of meaning, lofty imagery, COM
pleteness adorned with unwavering
consistency, is the need of praise due
their pages. Ethical students are some
times fond of exalting the teachings Of
Confucius as superior, but what in his
wandering ideality is comparable, in
the daily needs of mankind, to the
golden sentence, Therefore all things
whatsoever ye would that men should
do to you, do ye even 80 to them" and
this is taught throughout the inspired
pages by both the law and the prophets.
A great deal Of fault is found that God
selected chosen few with whom to de-
posit law and revelation, but a careful
examination of the subject rapidly re-
veals good and sufficient reason there
for, which none can consistently fail to
accept. Having glanced over the ideal
istic forms Of religion, we come to the
revealed, as particularly specified,
concise, and clear, adapted to the un-
derstanding of all classes. 1t is GER
tainly not difficult to understand fact
simply stated, and that is the style in
which God has chosen to communicate
His truths, and we find the first chapter
q rich illustration of brevity on sub
ject that, had man been the author
thereof, he would scarcely nave been
able to compress his account within the
space allotted to the entire Biblical his
tory and revelation. We cannot go
back of the beginning, which we there
find, as relates to man. Light was
evolved from darkness, the armament
was expanded, the dry land issued from
its liquid tomb, the luminaries Of day
and night CLEANED forth in their radi-
ance, fish and fowl Inhabited the great
deep, and scared in the azure firma-
ment, the beasts of the field and every
creeping thing wandered over the grassy
plain, and man and woman stood forth
in the majesty of perfect beauty and
symmetrical strength, with but one
provision, obedience to the bounds es-
tablished by the benevolent hand of the
Almighty. If we possess proper idea