Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-10-24
For the oxford Democrat.
IN SCEpTTCISM

To the Editor OF the Oxford Democrat:
Your correspondent in your issue of
May SOth, under the name of Selah," a.
luded to my articles on Religion and Rev
elation, published in your valuable paper
OF February 18th and May 9th. or the
latter he says Ii Is the best ever read
from the pen of any one, whether preacher
or laymaD, in Oxford County. Every
Christian 10 the State should read it.
The more such letters we have the better
educated are the people, consequently the
more atheists and inhdelS."
highly approve the principal remarks
in his article, about the mission Of Christ;
vet the latter sentence is so conflicting
with my views, am at loss 10 determ-
ine whether the writeer intended an APP
prOyal, or a sarcastic condemnation of the
paper referred 10. 'Selah" undoubtedly
expressed the opinion OF many others, il
not his own. Ny communication was in-
tended % encourage belief in revealed
Christianity. and not in atheism which
teaches there is no God" OF this class
there are but few. whether educated or
uneducated. DeiSts and infdelS are quite
numerous The former believe in God
who is an obiec, or worship and divine
providence. but reject revelation. The
latter deny the Scriptures aud the truth OF
Christianity. A plutheiSt believes that
the material universe is God. Among the
most renowned and learned deiSts may be
ranked Voltaire, a French author, born in
1924: Hume, a Scottish historian, born in
l7ll; Vo,ney. q French author, born in
1857; Gibbon, an English historian, born in
1857; Thomas Paine, an American politi-
cal writer, born in England in 1897, moved
10 this country aud aided the cause OF rev.
dictionary Struggle;-h believed in God
and future state. Most OF these prominent
men led moral exemplary lives. Though
they disbeueved the Divine mission OF
Christ, vet they admitted the purity of
the gospel snd were guided by its pre-
cepts-
David Hume possessed amiable manners
aud pure morals. \ few DAYS before he
died he wrote to his friend: be see death
gradually approach without any anxiety or
regret" VOltaire was highly esteemed
FOR his moral virtues. The poor laborers
aud oppressed ruSitiveS always found an
asylum undcrh i, roof Some Of his latest
words were die worshiping God, low
ing my friends, not hating my enemies, but
detestng superstition. The French clergy
opposed decent burial in the parish where
DE died. 50 his remains were conveyed TO a
distant abbey belonging 10 his nephew,
where ;hey could remain uumolGsted by
his Geud.sh prosecutors. Though he was
q man OF unblemi>hed character, and
high moral excellence, vet stigma was
dttachs8 90 his name. by the clergy which
has been Perpetuated and handed down to
the present generation.
G.55ou busted himself in religious in
vest-gati3us aud became a Catholic, after
wards returned 90 Professionalism aud tln-
ally. in his history OF the decline and fall
OF The Roman Empire de'o,.i '"o OF
three chapters .n comments on Oa'''''An'
It's. which called forth replies from many
prominent men OF that age. lie was a
person 1g profound learning FOR his his
tor.ca' works on the fall OF Rome are cou-
S.jerej among the greatest 10 The English
language.
It is quite remarkable ,dtt none OF these
commentators ou the Christian religion
ever uuj,r.ookto institute code OF laws
better calculated o. elevate mauSind than
the G0Spe. % Christ. hence. Nc ms infer,
The strict morality of this class was The
result OF that perfect system proclaimed
by the Savior. 90 % ji,o5etitut world.
A freeth.nktr 3, now oa,y another name
for inGIel. which when applied % one who
thinks. reasons and act, Coz himself NAV
b. REGARDED ~ ao honorable aparIlation.
for THE community .y,9II be GUIDED by
intelligent thought. ua.uhI-urcl by de-
signing men. the heel OF oppression would
mo- longer A. planted bv de,aa.osues and
false teachers OF religion upon the neckS
of credulou>. deicied followers. super
s.ition is the offspring OF ignorance, while
education develops the higher system Of
Christianity which has been more or less
perverted from the early dawn Of il intro
ductiou % the latest period
one OF the prominent causes o. infleliiy
NAV De a>cr.1cd 20 the terrible perSeCu-
tious and crimes perpetrated 10y protesting
Christians against their fellow men. under