National Republican., 1881-07-13
"what do You regard as superstition? ?"

SUPERSTITION.
"What do you regard as superstltlon?'
"Al so called revealed religion. believe in
God, but am convinced that 10 mortal ever
did, does, or shall know anything about that God
except from his works. l regard all prophets and
Messiahs as the grossest of frauds and think they
have had dNmning influence. OIL the human
race"
"You wouldn't abolish Christianity, would
your
lift were possible, would: but II Is not posi-.
bic at present We are yet too barbarous to give
up our old supcrStitions. They have become part
of our very existence, and 1t will take many years
OF rapid advancement to thoroughly cleanse us all
OF this hereditary faith. But If Christianity were
thoroughly rooted out of the minds of men the per
cent. OF lunatics would very materially decrease
and men who feel inspired TO shoot the President
would be unknown"
SUBSTITUTE FOR CHRISTIANITY.
"What would you subs itute for Christianity {?
We must have some moral discipline; we must
have some belief"
"ics, we want more moral discipline and less
mere dilettanti.' Now. I'll tell you what would
do would transform all our churches into
lectureroom and all our cantins priests and
mcck-eycd Blblc.expoundcrs into useful pro.
iesSors. would have each separate creed form an
educational and Notwithstanding society and
admit everybody to membership"
But what moral stimulant would you give
them? What would you offer as n reward for
virucg
Virtue Is It's own reward; hut would promise
them success the respect of their follow men, and
a happier and better lifc."
How would you punish the immoral ?"
Turn them out of the society until they could
show better record. If these societies were
thoroughly organized, any person who didn't be-
long to ono of them would be regarded with gen.
cral distrust; no one would place any confidence
In them, and they would bo glad to mend their
ways in order to get back"
Then you would transfer the power to reward
or punish from God to mani"
"Thnt Is exactly what would do-makc Them
real instead Of imaginary. Let these societies con.
fer degrees like the Masonic order, according to
the moral and mental superiority Of It's members.
II one man is better than anothet-that is, II his
| actions arc more commendable-give him higher
degree, and according rs he advances or falls
behind in morality aud general knowledge raise
or lower his degree, II he is altogether depraved
| turn him out entirely and that will be punishment
enough for any crime beneath the notice OF the
| law"
g How would you keep up the expenses?"
"The same as the churches do now-by contri.
button. Instead of sending money to the poor
hcathen, use II 10 purchase books scientific labor.
atorles pay lecturers, and employ good actors to
| hold as 'twerc, the mirror up TO nature TO show
virtue her own feature, scorn her own Image, and
| the very agc and body of the timc his form and
pressure This would ennobc, edify, and elevate
the whole people Religious fanatics who sacri-
flee their children to appcase the anger of an un-
known God would be among the things that were
Janus-foced Christians and whining hypocrites
would cease to impose on their brother man, and
death bed repenances would be at large dis
count"
How, then, would this affect civi.seryice re.
| formr'
by improving the minds and morals Of us all
Then we could select the men who worked the
highest degree in these socities 10 I'LL the offices
Of trust and honor When everybody isan infdel
and nobody superstitious, then everybody will be
moral and educated, and until men are pure their
| Institutions cannot be.