The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-12-28

latlons come from great currents that
leap out of the Atlantic and swell
around tropical islands and sweep the
line of continents, and roll around the
Polar sea-.
These, therefore, are not perpleXed
| by questions such as occur to him
who, looking beyond his worthy in-
terests and the area of daily routine,
takes into view the scope of being and
the profounder phenomena of human
| life. For such view will inevitably
engender speculation; nor can he rest
until he obtains some theory of exist
ence. Now, while it may seem very
simple to affirm that theory does not
in any case alter facts, yet there is
often an advantage in laying down
this proposition. For this may lead
us to understand precisely what a
theory may do. 1t does not alter facts,
but it throws them into new relations,
and presents them in an entirely diff
ferent light. Materialism, for instance,
is theory of life, and religion-in
which term 1 conclude not only a sys-
TEN of doctrines, but of practical
forests also a theory of life. Now
neither of these gets rid of the great
facts of existence. Men live, happily
and unhappily, and die, whether
! the other. But, surely, when we
approach these facts from the side of
| religion, they appear in very different
results, from their appearance and
effect, when interpreted by the creed
OF unbelief. 1t would be very absurd,
then, because religion does not in
| or oil fnll loiN ..1l
these strange, darker realities, to fall
back upon the opposite ground of in
fidelity. This is only receding from
the best solution to the worst-or,
rather, to no solution at all. For l
maintain that religion gives us not
merely not the best, but the only solu-
ton of these problems. And since
true religion is based upon the true
knowledge of God, Moses urges the
acquisition of his knowledge in the
most emphatic terms, Thou shalt
know this day and reflect in thy
heart" i. e., it shall be the firm con-
viction of thy intellect and the ever
flowing source of thy. affections
"that the Eternal is the God in the
heavens above and on the earth be-
meath: there is none else" Deut. iv.
3g.
Has religion promoted the happi-
ness or unhappiness of man 7"
This is question which has at all
times. and especially in our inquiring
age, engaged many tongues and pens.
The affirmative side, the friends of re-
ligion, say: We can adduce proofs in
corroboration of our position. Count
the many hearts which the sacred
heavenly flame of religion has warm
ed, ennobled, inspired-count all those
who have been upheld, comforted by
a firm trust in God; and if you are
able to count them, then you are at
liberty to question the immeasurable
good which religion has conferred on
man.
On the other hand, the negative
side, the enemies of religion, say
| We, also, can adduce proofs in support
of our position. Count the many
lucklesS victims that blind fanaticism
has inundated; count all those whom
it has cruelty prosecuted, tortured, de-
prived of life, and, what is still more
sad, of the peace and happiness of life;
and if you are able to count them,
then you are at liberty to question the
incalculable mischief which religion
has wrought in the world of man.
How shall we decide the question I
We say, both are wrong, both are
right, according to the positions which
they assume.
Ii the advocates of religion mean to
sanctify every abuse, every enOrmity
to declare as divine every absurdity,
to justify every eXcesS-they are
wrong, for it is precisely the abuse
which crafty hypocrisy and unthinking
bigotry have practiced in the name OF
religion that has caused all the harm
which the opponents of religion justly
condemn. But if the latter mean tc
deny all beneficial, salutary influence
all comfort which man has drawn
from religion, they are wrong, for they
would deprive mankind of that rich
heavenly fountain from which the
heart draws strength and consolation
in the great trials and perils of life.
We may ask, does the abuse of .
sacred cause prove its mischievous ef.
fectsp Does, for instance, the abuse
of liberty prove that it is an injury
and not benefit-a curse and not a
blessing to manl Neverl
Again the question is mooted, whe-
ther the advanced state Of mental cul
ture, the growing intelligence, is pro
motive of the happiness or unhappi
ness of man. Now, mark the strange
coincidence. The blind religious IA
natics work with might and main tt
stifle free, enlightened inquiry-whilt
the fanatics of enlightenment are bent
upon uprooting religion and destroy
ing its efficiency.
Either course is unwise, and must
fail.
The desire for mental culture, fol
rational development and progress i!
as indestructibly in our mind as the
yearning for the divine, the yearnine
for the spiritual; the divine is innate
in the heart. Both impulses are sa
cred; both are peculiar to man, arr
the characteristic prerogative of man
They are non-antagonistic; they de
not exclude, but aid and support each
other Religion guards mental cul
ture, so that the cold understanding
may not become a glittering iceberi
that would freeze every tender flower
of the human heart and deepen thu
darkness of the great realities by
which we are surrounded; by its glar
J ing light; while, on the other hand
mental culture shall guard religion
that it may not engender the tropica
J heat of a scorching fanaticism anC
consume every tender plant OF hu
manity; that it may not prove burn
ing Simeon, before which we have tC
bury our faces in the sand, to avoid it:
fatal breath.
1t must be borne in mind that tht
extremes of the cold and heat arr
equally fatal; in the one, man freezes
in the other, he burns to death.
The advice of Ecclesiastes is, there
fore, applicable to this case. at il
good that thou shouldst take hold o
this, and also from the other thol
withdraw not thy hand, for he tina
feareth the Lord will come forth ou
of them all."-Eccl. vii, Is.
Hence we say
RELIGION ALLIED WITH REASON
is sure to establish human happiness
secure our temporal welfare and eter
nal bliss.
In the series of Friday evening lee
lures, which L propose to deliver oI
, this subject, shall endeavor to show
that religion thus understood warm
the heart, arms and mind, makes on
existence serene, and elevates tn
whole nature of man.
Gov Eoofor hoe ordarad q anania