The Van Buren press., 1876-02-22


for mental Improvement. went out,
and attended church near blythe house
and audience bespoke an air of enlight
enment, as Is common In good society.
The minister was veteran in the pulpit
his hair was quite as white as wool
his face showed burrows that told that
the fight OF time had vel! nigh brought
him to his earthly goal. He spoke earn
estly, and the audience were attentive
listeners. When he became energetic in
defamation, he said he had found it im-
possible for him to enjoy religion, SO long
as he welcomed philosophy among his
thoughts. He said that in his library.
he had turned the names back out OF sight
Of all his works on philosophy; so that
he would no longer be tempted to look
at their contents; aimee which, he had
been able to enjoy religion in spirit and
truth. The audience looked on unmov.
ed, as tho they were not shocked by
such declaration; but, as If the speaker
was driving conviction home! With all
Difference to the honest opinions Of others
must confess was severely shocked.
Philosophy is the application ofreason
to its legitimate objects the science Of
the relations of all knowledge to the nee
essary ends of human reason" What
he could find here any way retarding
pure religion, was not in me to under
stand. This sermon is but sample Of
the ideas of a great part Of the incum.
bents Of the pulpit While know that
some philosophers of great merit have
been exemplary members OF churches, it
is not commonly the case yet, rs class
they are among the most capable and up
right OF the enlightened world. Those
who do not adhere to the church, are us
ually styled by it, materialists and inf
dels Now, when we view these great,
earnest, and useful men, on both sides,
at varience. how can we account for It.
There must be a truth in the matter
there must he cause for 1t Can my
Swannena, who has 50 often come to my
relief. on subjects Of great interest, give
me light here2
Bernardo, you may be aware that this
Is a delicate subject to touch upon Deli
cate, because ofthe jealousy OF the hoi-
ders of the numerous opinions as to the
rule of right--cspcci lily are these jeal-
ousies most bitter among the different
faiths that are held ~ ditierents sects of
religion--even SO bitter in times past.
that he who pronounced an opinion op.
enly. different from the prevalent doctrin
es, did it at the peril OF his life. But
now, among the enlightened portions of
humanity, praise be to the influence Of a
better knowledge, truth and error may be
sighed without molestation. For us,
Bensrdo, there is but the one object, to
SSesek i,ssptI, az far as our powers can lead
der to the whims or prgudices Of any
conceits on earth. We wis! to entertain
no ideas that cannot bear the scrutiny OF
reason, and the test of truth, wherein we
may fail at any point, it will be our men,
tai defect, not that Of our wishes.
May we not say with confidence, there
is no unalloyed felicity for man on earths
side OF timer And. is it not equally true.
that the earth, and its life, are in state
Of development As consequence Of
these facts, we cannot investigate any
subject far, without coming athwart ulti-
mate facts. beyond which we cannot go.
Some striding mind may clear away tue
darkness in some direction, but soon he,
himself, finds that there ia barrier Of
darkness, just ahead, where he cannot
penetratcY Truth and error are near
neghbors in this field Of commotion.
We must seek truth among thorns and
thistles, as well as in pleasant places.
If we ask ourselves why good and evil
are so intimately mixed in this estate, we
will find no nswer from any quarter that
sheds ray of light on this subjectS Any
attempt that the mind may seek or invent
leaves the difficulty abridged in no re
spect7 .. ...
There is good. great good, in the teach
ings of Theology-humanity owes much
of it's advancement in civilization to it;
especially to christianity-and. in so far
as the teachings or practices VI chris.
tianity, have been as the spirit Of Christ,
so far have they been perfection Yet.
great evils blacken the records OF Theol-
ogy. Science and philosophy have been
boons to the world. On every hand,
they have been beacons to the progress
Of civilization. For, the effect Of their
cultivation on their voteries, has been ia
lift them above the narrow mindedness,
that could persecute for opinions sake
Yet. philosophy, Notwithstanding
its enlightened progress, and earn
est devotion to truth, has had its
history chcckered by many a step in the
dark Both theology aud philosoph,
are liable to run into grave errors. when
not guarded by the wisest circumspection
They both have their good, likewise
both their evil All the while, Gods
truth in religion, and in every other sens,
is the same : it is only our imperfections
wherein the difficulty lies We must o
necessity, seek truth where ever found
Were we to scorn the rose on account o'
its brer, we could not enjoy its beaut,
and fragrance-were we to avoid the WASP
on account of its sting, we would be dc
prived of the contemplation" of the beau
ties displayed under the microscope, ol
four thousand lenses and sights in the
eyes; or rather, so many complete eyes
each one being perfect in its self; all ar,
ranged in geotnetrical symmetry-were
we to avoid the study of the serpent, on
account of his fangs. we would deprive
science Of the advantages OF the knowl-
edge of his peculiar circulation, in sin
gle, or half developed heart. So because
St Augustine was supersttious, and did