The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-08-25


has real belief in prayer who prays,-
not in words perhaps,-but who has a
heartfelt desire for the highest and
hottest, which leads him to strive for
their attainment. He most believes in
Christ, who most earnestly follows the
divine example and spirit of the
Master.
2. The sources of belief are manifold.
Much depends upon circumstances.
Hereditary tendencies, the influence of
parents, the surroundings in which we
are placed, all go far to determine the
character and extent of belief. How
could person born in Egypt four
thousand years ago have known any
thing of Christ or Christianity? Would
he not almost of necessity have be-
lieved in Isis and Osiris, Horus and
Amen Ra, and have believed in a future
life at the courts of the sun for the
pure, and of transmigration for those
unworthy the realms of perpetual light?
Had you been born in China instead
of America, most likely you would be
follower of Confucius or Menucius,
and would entertain ideas which now
seem quaint and unreal. Few Chris
tans arrive at their belief after careful
Investigations. They accept the Bible,
not because it has been thoughtfully
compared with the z .ndavesta, Vedas
and Koran, but because they were born
in Christian land, and have been sur
rounded by Christian influences. MIR.
Lecky in his History of Rationalism,
truly declares, 1.-The great majority
even of those who reason much about
their opinions have arrived at their con-
illusions by process quite distinct
from reasoning. In the great
majority of cases men of the most vari-
Gus creeds conclude their investiga-
tions by simply acquiescing in the opin-
ions they have been taught" Even
those who have discarded the beliefs of
childhood, may have been influenced
by some stronger personality, or have
felt the sway of circumstances which
they seemed powerless to resist.
Though not entirely true, there is some
ground for Mr.. Ingersoll's statement,
mo one can be justly held responsible
for his thoughts"
Much, too, depends upon the evidence
presented to the mind. Man is a judi
cial being. 1t is his nature to investi-
gate, to weigh evidence, to form opin-
ions. In this age especially, things
are not taken for granted. Men believe,
not because popes, councils and synods
have decreed certain dogmas to be true,
but because they seem reasonable, and
right. To-day it is deemed ones duty
to ''prove all things, hold fast that
which is good" to give thought and
study to important questions, and SO
gain an intelligent belief. Evidence
may be distorted or incomplete, and
hence men may honestly differ upon
important points. The same facts
may vary in weight with different per-
sons, but no man can believe what to
him is evidently false.
The will has most important office
in determining belief. Mr.. Ingersoll's
statement is hardly true, 1--WE believe
or disbelieve without an effort of the
will" The lines Of investigation to be
followed, the eagerness with which
evidence will be sought, the earnest
ness used in weighing facts, are all
largely affected by the will. Suppose
man does not wish to believe certain
truth. Can he not ignore the question,
or refuse to reach decision in regard
to it? Men easily believe what they
wish to be true, but find ample excuses
for not accepting an unwelcome truth.
AS the old proverb runs:
"a man constrained against his will,
Is of the same opinion STILL"
Evidently there was some exercise of
will upon the part of the father who
wished Christ to heal his son, when he
exclaimed with tears, Lord l believe,
help thou mine unbelief." Much will
power is needed to apply religious
truth to daily life, to make it positive
motive force. Too many fail to use
volition in turning passive conviction
into active belief. They continue to
thresh the old straw, to re-weigh the
same evidence. Once fully and fairly
investigated the case should be closed,
and the decision given, not to be re-
con sidered until new evidence is
brought forward. Thus earnest men
overcome the doubts that hinder pre-
gress, and gain faith at once definite
and efficient. Too many who disbelieve
religious truths are spiritually sluggish.
They lack the will to seek and weigh
the evidence, and thus live and die in
the thin air of doubt. Rarely, indeed,
will an earnest man fail to attain a sat
isfying faith in regard to duty, truth,
and God.
8. Very benefeent are the results of
intelligent belief. Peace, deep and
abiding, springs from it. From doubt