West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1883-04-14

Nf@@.s%'V - 80 m LAoIVN.
Mr.. James Parton, In a lecture be-
fore the Nineteenth Century Club Of
New York few evenings ago. on
The Coming Mans Religion. among
other things, said;
When was asked some time ago
to give my thoughts about religion,
! was much embarrassed, for l have
had more thoughts on that subject
than upon all others put togather. /
feel the peculiar difficulties as well
as the great importance ofthe theme /;
and wonder now at my temerity in
attempting it. Upon reflection, /
found / had two kinds Of thoughts
respecting rshgion-my library
thoughts and nay kitchen thoughts.
La the library. particularly in the
alcove OF history, religion seemed the
shame and torment Of our species.
The history Of religion--how could
1t be htiy told except in shrieks : |
often think Of yoltsire's single re-
mark after relating the msssscres OF
st. Bartholomew Day, This makes
the pen fall from the hand. Relig-
ious controyersies--how bitter and
how trivial ! Religious wars--how
cruel and how long Religious ages
another name for the Dark Ages
Religious htersture--how silly aud
how lslss Religious women-how
credulous Religious men--how
hard and how soitI Could any rea-
soneble being think well Of religion
merely from the record it has lott ?
Mr.. Parton drew an amusing and
yet pathetic picture Of religion as it
presents itself TO Bridget in the
kitchen. making it possible for her to
live and endure, AMI feel that she is
somebody. II is to her father and
mother, brother and sister, and she
goes back content edly from church
TO another week Of wsshtgbs and
gridrobs. There are millions in
this country. he said, 10 whom re-
Iiglon Ia exactly what it is to Bldg
ct. Tvt TO estsblish or to DESTROY
this re lglon there are men Ia this
city who would glve their lives. The
question viii! finally be answered az
a chapter in natural history. Char
les Darwin might show that religion
is the measure CT our distance from
the missing link. Possibly he might
trsc1 1t into the depths OF the prime.
val forest Thousands OF years ago.
when'sn old ape picked up a stick
and began to walk slowly and so-
emniy mp and down, other apes look-
ing on, some following, aud all occas-
lonal!y chattering aud all this m ipht
be shown to be The origin of relie.
i1us ceremonial.
II | were asked to give rough
and ready definition Of religion.
would say, Religion is goiug 10
church, religion it getting togsther
and doing The best things taat hu-
man nature can. The monkeys did
this when they solemnly marched,
carrying sticks. The Indians do 1t
on the plains in the cathedral-wIg-
wan. The Jews did it ia their tenn.
pie and Leo x in st. Peters. Some
churches in some countries are day
fulfilling that condition, are doing
the best and most beautiful OF which
human nature is there aud now cap
able Of doing and enjoying.
Why, then, are ge here dissstisf
ed? Why this wide and almost gem
eral protest 1t is because when we
go to church we no longer do there
the best we can. 1t is because our
sects are under hard necessity to
adhere to 6ctions, once august and
commanding, which bsye never been
found out. It is because, in a word, |
religion has to carry such a load Of
obsolete belief that it no longer has
reger Grating power over the educa- |
ted olsss who more need its res
trsiDts and It's Inspirations than
Bridget herself.
To school, college or a family |
where that kind Of religion is dom
insnt, you will be likely TO observe
these two symptoms: FIRST, q lack |
OF confidence and affection, becanss
a religious ban is put on innocent !
pleasures and religious premiun on |
certain bogus virtues which inge. |
nuous youth despises secondly a Ger.
tam morbid tendency toward low |
sDd pernicious pleasures. II begets
a wanton, rebellious asd mockIng !
spirit 10 the young. ] told more lies |
myself TO get 10 90 TO Waliacks old |