Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-04-08
MEMPHIS APPEAL
SUNDAY, -: APRIL 8, 1888
RELIGIOUS AND PRILOSOPHIC
Oh 4 AGE.

SUNDAY, /: APRIL 81 1888.
RELIGIOUS AND PRILOSOPHIC
CHANGE.
One of the most striking phenomena IN
the Christian world OF the present day Il the
change that is taking place in religious
sentiment. A clear distinction is becoming
evident 10 the popular mind between the
faith without which a man cannot be
Christian, and mere belief in various sPecu-
Iative notions not eujoined in the book that
is the cole ground Of authority, but inferred
by theologianI who place their isilible con-
attractions on the same level "a revelation
itself, or which are held from mere lradi-
ton, or which are the offspring Of differing
theories. These alterations modern thought
among the faithful is rejecting, and demand
ing that human notions aud deductions shall
cease 10 be regarded "a authority,
and that the sectarisnism that has
sprung from them shall cease.
The people are going back to the
test Of religious truth laid down by the au'
thor OF Christianity: "By their works shall
ye know them" IN vain are texts quoted
and traditions appealed to; the demand to-
day is the demand that Jesus authorized,
and the reflective Christian Gays to the dis
putant: II your view Of religion IA nearer
to truth than that Of others, then its follow
ers are better men and women than Others
are; if they are not, then away with your
chsf; we seek the grain. This revolt
against lheologies, and sects, and creeds, is
naturally attended by increased unbeliet and
superstition. All great changes Of thought
promote discussion of the subjects thought
of, and while the main stream flows on in the
way of progress, there will be little rivuieis
dribbling toward the absorbing sands, some
of WHICH will cling with bigoted ardor
to beliefs just about 10 expire, and
exaggerate observances that are on the eve
of extinction, while others will de-
clare that where much is error, ali
is error. These will fall into the greater
error Of denying the truth that is from God,
because poor, erring, short-sigh,ed mortals
have mingled with the stream Of truth the
turbid element OF their own inventions.
Concurrent with the searching investigation
of orthodox and heterodoz b=liefs, has come
among the phIIOsophic portion OF mankind
keen inquiry into the secrets OF nature, re-
sulting in discoveries Of hitherto unknown
and most important facts in physics. The
consequence has been temporary undue
y, .fs' Fsil Of philosophy that en-
cages IN observation aud experiment, and
what ia called empirioism is thrown out Of
harmony with the grand body OF universal
philosophy. The consequences is that we see
arevival Of the old materialistic theory, go
that the author Of being and life is de-
throned, and the human soul reduced TO
thin, very thin, highly -sttenuated" layer
OF matter. Time will correct the dispropor-
tion physical science has achieved, and re-
move the blunders committed in its ma me,
and when the heat of enthusiasm caused by
A. announcement of new discoveries and the
formulation " Lew hypOthesos 10 ory., t1yr.
fczt scfgncg WIN its arr1.or, with
other branches OF philosophy. In the mean
time the prominence to which science is Just
now exalted has produced hybrid called
agnosticism. This is a rivulet dribbling
from philosophical progress, az unbslief and
superstition from religious agitation; bat the
regretable incidents Of religious and philo-
sophical progress must not be COMPOUNDED.
Unbelief on account of religious discussion,
and uubelief from erring philosophy, are
Two different things in their origin, although
as respects Christianity their result is the
same. TIE increase Of unbelief, however,
ia less than it appears to be. When men
were liable TO lose their means OF living and
their social standing il they rejected popular
beliefs, they hid their unbelief. To-day
juzter feeling pervades society, and uube-
LEVERS are less careful TO conceal their ssnti-
ments, and on that account superficial
observers estimate the increase OF unbelief
beyond the fact. We have left ourselves no
space to speak of prevalent superstltious,
that are intensified from clInging ardently 10
old creeds and observances that are ap-
preaching oblivion. The exaggeration Of
rite to ritualism, with it's upholstery and
posturiDgs, is prominent phase of the riv-
ulet of superstition. One thing in conclusion
we must point out. The religious change Of
to-day is accompanied, moi by decreasing but
by Increasing harmony among the different
denominations. There is none of the tempest
and fury that was manifested when Luther
spoke, when Knox Numbered, and when
Puritsns denounced Quakers and banished
Bsptists. The reason is because Christians
are at last recognizing that the greatest thing
in their religion is charity-love-greater
than hope. nightier than faith.