The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1883-03-06
THE LEADING IsMS.
A Few Concise Definitions of Lead
sf ing Religious Creed,

Inc 10ll0 wing are lew lSm3 Wnlc0
the Baltimore Episcopal Methodist pnh.
lishs this week for the benefit Of read
ers not versed in the conflicting beliefs
of the day:
A:heism.-A disbelief in the exist
ence Of God. An Atheist is fool, for
the Bible avs: "The fool ham sad in
his heart there Is no God" Aud the
reason he has said it in his heart is be-
cause said heart is "deceitful above all
things and desperately wicked II his
head were level he would say nothing OF
The sort, for reason admits that God is,
since his works declare him.
Deism "A belief in the existence OF
God, but denial Of revealed religion
A Deist is, therefore. an inidel. He
often declares his belief in natural relig-
ion-that is. what man may discover by
reason alone. Deism and ralionalism
are twins. t....
Polytheism "A belief 10 the existencs
OF many Gods
Pantheism.-A belief that the uni.
verse is God. Spinozs was Pan.heis'
AMI 80 wa, Hegel, a recent German phi.
Iosopher "A strange heliet that leans
lis idiot hack on folly's tnpmost twig.
UAtariansm A belief in the unity
of Col, as opposed to the orthodox be-
lief of trinity in unity.
Materialism.-A belief that there is
nothing but matter in the universe. What
we call mind aud soul are to materialists
only properties of matter. Or course,
materialists deny Immortality to man.
Death is annihilstion OF existence
Spiritualism The opposite of mate
rialism; originally was belief that all
matter is really spirit. and that there
fore the universe is only Gods concen-
trated thought. Lstterly it means those
who believe in the intercourse with the
spirit world. We suppose the witch OF
Endor was spiritualist. -
Fatalism.-A belief that all evente
necessarily happen-that is, are ordained
and cannot be altered. safiii7
Mohammedanism The doctrine OF
the Mussulmans, who believe in the
unity of God. and that Mohammed was
his prophet. They are fatalsts. ai
Calvinism The leading doctrines are
original sin, particular election and rep
rotation, particular redemption, aeffec-
tual grace in regeneration and persever
ance OF the saints. ad efs
Arminianism. us very nearly the op-
posite of Cslvinism. Its beliefs are: l,
conditional election and reprobation 2
universal redemption, limited in its bene-
fits only by mans act in bis failing to
believe and obey. 8, regeneration is ah-
solutely essential aud instantly follows
justifyirg faith Isls the word of the
Holy Spirit given Of G,,d. There is no
Irresistible grace, and apcstatism is pos
sible. Both Caivinism and Arminian-
ism believe in total deprayity ami future
eternal punishment. a.
Universalism "A belief that all men
will be finally saved. @
Buddhism. ,-Nominally believed by
one-third Of human race, teaches thst
there have been so far four successive
incarnations of the Deity, followed by
stages of Inconsistencies. The highest
good is Nirvona, or the state. of repose.
The latest incarnation was called Guadma
500 years before Christ, and in after ages
another will come to i'ttman up. Mean
while its adherents are practically lido.
laters. fr esF
Minuris ms are almost as plentiful as
the leaves OF the forest. Most Of them,
like lalliog leaves, have had their day.