The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1881-03-27
FAITH OR REASON.


ago, who could be privileged to catch sight
of the present times and miDgle freely with
the populsce Of the day, would DO less
stricken with wonder at the gigantic enter
prises of late years on land and sea, than at
the peculiar ideas now prevalent from the
"turret to foundation stone" Of society, In
reference to all subjects Of thought. The
late growth of science has been so rapid
rational investigation OF everything affecting
man has so spread and permeated all classes
of people, as to make the most unquestioned
facts and even figures OF thrce
generations back, the simple fables
OF tho present. History, then, believed with
the implicit faith with which men accept the
presence of light and air, is scarcely more
now than mental exercise, If II be older than
a hundred years. In fact human belief is
now SO skep!ical that it would be compare
lively easy to find many who would accept
as equally as authentic as the history OF
Nspoleon's campaigns, the celebrated argu-
ment by which the logician attempted to
disprove the great warriors existence at all.
This would certainly BIO the case if the sub
ject Of tho argument had been little
further under the pasrs shadow. The theory
of medicine adopted and pracliced by the
entire medical fraternity Of the last century,
i, to. day almost MS much n jest as the miracle
cures of the monks of the middle ages.
Business men who depended a
few years ago upon the prac-
tice of tho crude principles Of economy then
prevalent for their success, now laugh ut the
loss of former fortunes, and control their
enterprises by laws MS fixed and systematic as
those which govern in the physical world.
A still moro radical change Is perceptible in
tho matter Of religious belief. The old bible
of tho fathers, upon which our plously-
disposed ancestors leaned so conildingly,
and treasured SO carefully, has become so
great an object for diversity of opinion as
actually 10 necessitate q revision. 1t is not
now proposed to permit creeds to lag be-
hind our modern progressiveness. Now
where the limit is, and when that "terminus
quo' will be reached it is impossible TO
forecaste; but analogy would lead us to infer
that we are yet but infants in correct knowl-
edge. The man OF the 2lst ceutary may Jest
upon our folly and pity US for living too
soon. Under tho opening convictions, con
sequent upon what we must now recognize
and.feel, however strong may BIO our vener.
alton for tho olden times and tho old faith,
who will dare tell US what is true or what Is
false, even as existences or belief?
In short, men are beginning to learn that
they arc but just entering tho light, and that
atoially different character of thought and
conduct Is required for tho now era. Mod
ern skoptcism has triumphod TO this cxtont
over that principle IN man known rs faith,
that it ha, taught him his dependence upon
himself, and his independence Of all tho past,
family relations, and social distinctions. In
proportion rs reason discovers and applies
the laws which govern in all the practical af-
fairs of life, land 1iscards tho vague theories of
tho past in equal proportion will DO the sue
cess OF the man. There mus. DO, by every
man, conformity to law-social. physical,
commercial and polticsl; and tho rush of
events leaves no time for dreaming. What
creods, government and superstition have
been trying to make of mon for four thou
sand years, is now beginning TO bc realized
from tho quickenod play of reason and
modern experience. Men are not only now
Judged by their success, but NJ before stated,
that success must be the result Of their own
labors. In consequence of such convictions
the Intelligent man now recognizes tho no.
cossity for temperance, honesty and industry
MS Indispensable conditions of his very exist
encc, aud tho possession of even tho ncccsSa.
rio, of life. Favor arc rarely granted
and men arc only
happy <vho have no lavors TO ask.
1t is frequently regretted by good bu.
people, that these revolutions in
tho former faiths of tho civilized world, are so
widespread and so freighted with skopticism,
bu! mature contemplation canno, but i'm.
press us with tho great promise which shcy
indicate of tho future. Truth is tho OF
spring as unqusstionably of skopticism and
research, as governmental improvement Is
tho consequence of physical revolution.
When men become tolerant and charitable
an immense stop in human progress Is
reached, whether this tolerance and charity
spring from religion or want ofon When
society takos so little caro- of tho individual
as ~ force him to work or s,arve, and
governs itself by laws which have bccn dis
covered by reason and experience, rather
than those dictated by prcju.
dce and superstition, tho sum of
human happiness will DO far larger, and the
number of human criminals and unfortu-
mates far smaller than tho boosted centres Of
civilization. possess to-day. In this particular
sphere OF creation, agitation and diversity of
opinions cannot botoo great. They arc as
necessary for the purposes of,ru.h and growth
as food Is for animal life. Instead Of oppos.
ing froo.thought, aud fearless expression
of opinion, those who favor tho expansion OF
ntellcc. and tho glory Of civilization, should