The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-27
MASONIC TEMPLE.
WHAT IS THE BASIS OF VIRTUE ?-LEcrunE d,

WHAT IS THE BASIS OF VIRTUE ?-LECrURE by
MR. o. d. FRoTHINGHAM.
Referring to the old book of Ecclesiastes in the
course Of his sermon in Masonic Temple, MIR. O. b
rockingham said that it singular thing for the
Scriptures to admonish to not be too righteous:
but he contended that the words of the Old Tesla
ment apply only to q formal acquiescence with i'm
piled church rues-with what is called righteousness
inside of the church. such conforming to its dis
cipline and the bringing of gifts to the priests In
these times there are many complaints of fraud and
dishonesty in the different walks Of life. In fact
this age is hastily accused of being one eminently
sceptical and immoral; but 1t may be asked we are
therefore to conclude that the quality of goodness
is losing ground in the world. Is it not fair to
conclude the intellectual basis morality has
changed rather than that the moral standard is in
any way altered Men often led unknowingly
into wrong just children playing the edge of
tempted into the depths of the watery
ment. First little foot slides into the shining
water then another follows, step is taken from the
Shore the child is fascinated by the simmer of tho
tide till it goes beyond its depth and the treacherous
food becomes its destroyer.
What is the basis of virtue, and what ground do
men feel constrained to do good? They were told
through the traditions generations that they ought
TO be honest and pay their debts. This excellent
ruleor 1t is an excellent rule at botom-has worked
itself into every part OF the business of life. But
dation is questioned. Some one asks by what light
or title priests lay down this that wholesome
maxim teach certain church dogmas The right,
in fine, may be acquiesced in by the multitude, but
the authority is questioned by the many. What is
the foundation of the clerical authority? tradi-
ton, a myth dark uncertainty and stories
handed down from mouth TO mouth to the
origin of the Church. with whose later history we
are cognizant. The Church orders TO be- said !;
no questions are TO be asked, doubt entertained
the propriey of this 1t is the rule of the
Church, and you must acquiesce in IL. Another
theological assumption IL tina. traditional morality
never changes. To-day the Roman Catholic Church
continues a. IL did more than three hundred years
ago, to illuminate its DEGREES against Christianity.
Pope Plus TX did this, and there rea-
in his Examinations lately than there was in those
of the pontiffs who preceded him. The only reason
given was that the Church said 80 and so. and this
was deemed sufficient.
CHURCH AND woMANs RIGHTS.
1t is remarkable fact that when the Christian
Church became the established religion of the Roman
Empire there was end to legislation in the direc-
ton OF legislation favorng woman's rights She
was again put under the foot of man and made sub
ject to him in all things; for the morality of the
Church has always been opposed to the cmancipa-
ton of woman During the stormy times of the
great French Revolution the radicals raised the
question once more of emancipating woman from
the effects of prejudces the mere account
OF sex; yet after the days of the Revou-
ton the Church went ON a. boioro. aud