The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-03-16

whore the people, knowing nothing Of Christiar-
ity, believe in the saving powers Of mathematics
and the god Of mathematics, numbers. He then
proceeds to ridicule the secondary principles Of
Christianity, the respect for which Is profoundly
grounded in the hearts of so many millions OF the
most intelligent people in the world. The cross,
symbol of Christ's sutferings and atonement
he burlesques by making sport OF the sacred
raft OF the Inquirendians which was suspended
from the roof of their cathedral. In the same
way he ridicules nearly all the forms and observ-
ances of the Christian church The writer Ia
utterly hostile to faith without works, and pre-
fesses to believe that works, better than mere
profession of faith, must show the condition or
mans heart and insure his safety in the world to
come He closes his book with what he calls
POSTAGE in which he evinces fear that he
may not have made himself plain, and processes
an abiding faith in an everything Providence
and better life hereafter. He evidently has
intended to bring into disfavor the ceremoniais
of the church, and to strip the church Of all but
simple faith and righteous sensible line OF
conduct. The public will be slow to follow this
impatient man. A man may have reverence for
the cross as a symbol. and yet la no wise com.
promise his intelligence or forget his duty TO
God. 1t is as the man or woman who goes back
to the home Of his childhood to visit his gray
haired father and mother. He has profound
respect for all their surroundings, because 90
many of them are associated in memory
with the happiest days OF his life. He would
not touch brick or board in the old house,
because each and all Of them are part of the
warp and wool of his happiest days, and because
the old home is so dear to the old hearts 1t shell
tiers, and, if they be gone from it. it Is so sug
gestive OF sacred memories. His love for the old
place is of the surest evidences of his respect
for those who builded 1t. The cross and the
communion. the breaking Of bread and drinking
of the consecrated wine, may be
foolishness to the worldly wise; but
to those who sincerely partake OF
the solemn feast 1t is but pledging renewed
fealty to the souls fatherland No ridicule will
ever destroy it, no appeal to common sense rob IL
OF its significance. 1t may not be mans ways
but the participants firmly believe it 10 Gods
way and are serenely happy in it. 1t were bet
ter for ssHudor Genoner to direct his attacks
against more palpabls errors in society and
against evils that work harm continually. he
is skilful story teller and his irony will doubt
less make itself felt on minds In doubt But TO
change doubt into certainty, SO that the maA
who questions religion will reject 1t, 10
not the ambition OF many honest
| men. The author himself confosses that he has
never seen man Of whom thought 1t could
be said Isis philosophy was sufficient for him, or
his idolatry, or his infdelity; neither have
seen one whose ceremonial Of itself was sufi-
| Gent" He probably never will. The Chris
tians ceremonials are not the essentials of his
religion, and he seldom so regards them. They
are but the outward manifestation Of reverence
| for sacred things sInquirendo Island is q very
clever piece OF composition, and contains . pref
| ty love-story deity woven in. g. P. Putnam's
! Sons, New York.