The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1888-03-04
TIE SUN, SUNDAY, MARCH 4, lss.-sIxTEEN Pages.

different churches to pool thoir issuce
instead Of keeping up separate organiza-
tons for the propagation Of their varying
views and creeds. He would accordingly
have them sell out to q Religious Trust,
formed on the plan Of the Standard OIL
Company. for instance, each taking stock In
the joint concern proportionate to the de-
mand for the particular doctrines OF which 1t
furnishes the supply. The trust having been
formed. he would have the trustees 10y out
church districts on a fixed basis as to popu.
lation, and then refer 1t to the people OF each
district to decide by q majority vote what
sort of religion should be provided for them,
the minority becomingly yielding to the
popular voice a. so expressed at the election.
II such a plan could be successfully car
r.ed out, Of course the pccuniary expense OF
religion would be greatly reduced, for where
there are 10Y two. three, or more churches
OF different creeds In a neighborhood, one
alone would be provided for both Catholics
and all kinds OF Protestants. Tho object OF
the secular trusts being to crush out oppo-
sition, the agnostic brokers' scheme. mod
elled after them, must also involve the de-
etructlon Of all church competition In the
district; or, In other words, II people will
not 20 to the Religious Trust Church they
will not be able to 60 to church at all.
Now, such q plan would suit exactly an
agnostic broker. who Of course does not caro-
to 60 To any church, and to whom, there
fore. 1t a ne difference b sort OF
religion 10 preached. Whether 1t be Buddh-
Ism. Christianity. or Accommodation. 1t
IL all the same to him. for no has given up
the religious problem as an enigma beyond
human solution, and has lost all Interest In
1t. Besides, to the agnOstic and Stock Ex-
change mind there Is something prac-
teal and substantial about one Of
the modern trusts, while the nero pursuit
Of religious Inquiry Is utterly proftless.
Even religion, II 1t could be represented
In trust certificates quoted In the Board
Room. would acquire . real Importance In
the eyes Of an agnostio broker a. a luxury
highly esteemed by q great part OF the pub
lie, and therefore In wide and remunerative
demand. Accordingly our correspondent
describes his device as "a business way out
Of a sectarian deadlock"
So It would be. and a capital way, too. Mr..
Agnostic, II everybody was as Indifferent to
religion as you are. In all except its financial
aspects. II people did not care What sort Of
religious doctrines they got, and were ready
to take, without objection. n variety that
might be offered by the majority Of their
neiRhbors, the pecuniary cost Of religion
could undoubtedly be enormously reduced.
But you must remember that to others
than agnostics religion and religious beliefs
ore very serious matters. and that consider
atoms Of mere expediency are as foreign to
them and as far from them as heaven is above
the earth.
There are different churches and different
scots, agnostio friend, because the adherents
Of each believe that 1t Is a religious trust
committed TO their rare by GOD Himself.
n that Upon their faithful and obedient
administration Of the trust will depend their
eternal welfare. "For what shall 1t profit a
man II he shall gain the whole world and
lose his own soul ."