The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-20
THE REVOLUTION COMING.
A WONDERFUL CHANGE IN THE RE-
LlGIoN OF TODAY PRoPHEsIED.
Ignorance and Superstition Surely Civ
ing wey Before the Luminous Rays
from Enlightened. Intelligent and Sci
entifc Research-The Successor.

going Il change" remarked n scholarly
gentleman to an APPEAL reporter yester-
day.
Remembering the teachings Of his outh,
that the religion of Christ was as firm and
Interchangeable as the heavens themselves,
the reporter experienced violent thrill of
surprise, and drew the speaker into an
explanation.
'Thc statement, taken alone and with
only the surface meaning, is startling
one, admit," continued the gentleman.
'"lt is doubtful whether you could find an
orthodox church member or minister of
the gospel to agree with me uncondition-
ally, yet believe the reading ones see the
change surely approaching The first
evidence OF this apprehended revolutionis is,
tony mind, the liberality and independence
ofthought. neminent divine OF the Catho-
lie church spoke the truth and voiced the
opinion when he said that this could never
be q Catholic country. His reason for the
statement was that the people were assert
ing their independence and thinking for
themselves, regardless OF the religious tenets
and principles instilled into their young
hearts. The tendency was to bind them
selves TO no prescribed code OF religious
ethics, but regard all churches as equally
useful and safe in the great cause OF re-
dcmption of lost souls. The divine referred
20 did not give utterance TO this sentiment
because discouraged or dismayed at tho
inroads OF Protestant bodies into the ranks
OF the Catholic church membership. On
the contrary, his organization was growing,
holding It's own against the strongest rival,
and there was substantial cause for encour-
agement. But TO him, as to me, all signs
pointed the mind in that direction, and he
was bold and honest enough to admit it.
Another reason for my conclusion is
the higher standard OF intelligence created
for those whose calling IL is to ofIiciato in
the pulpit. You will not have TO revert
back many years 10 see the wonderful
changes wrought in this respect The
successful minister, up to comparatively
short time ago, was he who could work
most effectively upon the ignorance, su.
perstition and sympathy OF his hearers.
III he could bring the congregation up TO
such pitch Of excitement that they i'm
agined they saw the alleged lake oil real
fire and birthstone, with the Evil One and
his imps gloating over and adding to the
torture Of their victims, he had them sure.
They fiockcd into the church by the
wholesale. and ere long hockod out in
equal volume. There was nothing but
excited sympathy and superstition TO hold
them, consequently cooling period found
them back in their old ways and habits,
and in many instances more callous than
bcfore. To this class OF cxhortcrs, all who
dared dissent from their methods, were
held up rs hideous examples Of what the
devil could do with those whom he took
possession OF, as they expressed 1t. 1gnor.
ant themselves, they could comprehend
nothing but ignorance in Others. Tho
light Of reason and science was 10 them q
thing undreamcd Of Honest2 Certainly,
| accredit them with honesty, and their
abors were not altogether in vain.
Under their vehement, fiery exhorta-
tons, minds were turned toward
Christianity, who brought logic and UNI
dentanding 10 bear. Tho trimming pro-
ccss was begun, and is still going on.
Theological seminarios were established
learned men were placed in charge; aspir-
ants Tor the ministry were put through a
course OF training, an essential feature Of
which Is pulpit oratory. Scholars who
understood the original language in which
the Bible was written, cast the rays from
their enlightened intellects over the civ.
ilizcd world through commentaries and
other channels. Orthodox investigation,
with orthodox understanding, began the
revolution confidently anticipate.
Then science came upon the field. Its
appearance Is Of recent date. Objections
were by Il interposed 10 many OF the propo-
silions set up and taught by orthodox
Christian leaders, with no stronger argu-
4. -. raft
ton. we cannot understand II, hence
must rely upon faith alone TO make them
clear at the last day. Science said: 'AIys-
iefies, while they may puzzle, are not con.
trary 10 all fundamental laws Of nature,
onc Of which IL that Of cause and effect
II IL the God.giyen province Of the human
mind 10 study, reason and act intelligcntly
upon all things pertaining 10 human wei.
fare. Therefore, intelligence and reason
must decide Thus further claims, basel
only upon ignorance and superstition,
have been surrendered by en-
lightcncd Christianity. Among the
prominent OF these IL that old idea Of al hell
ol literal fire. aud birthstone. / find
some church people now who do not in.
sist with persistence upo,ytbe reality OF
the miracles said 10 have bccn performed
by Christ while ON earth. The word mir
aclc, ~ Il II commonly understood, means
something unnatural, and implies inter
ruption OF tho laws Of nature. Scientists
claim that the fundamental laws OF nature
have never been stopped, and the claim
has not been disproved. The manner In
which sticklen for the miracle idea meet
this N coniessedly weak and yielding
They say: We'll, II Christ really per.
formed the miracles, ~ believe he did, Il
was through his divine attributes, and by
no interference with the fundamental laws
oi nature To me. tho weakest point In
this claim IN, why WIS II necessary for
Christ 10 perform tile miracles attributed
60 him? Nature itself Ii miracle enough"
"What IA the nature ~ the religious
change you 70 confidently expect, aud what
iis cffcctf
"a higher and better one, freed from
the letters Of blind superstition and obtuse
ignorance. II will be elevated IN the plane
al reason and understanding. Instead OF
great mass Of fallacious dogmas and I'M.
rasonablc requirements. the simple rule,
do unto others ~ you would that Others
do unto YOU will prevail. II will be a 10.
ligion oi intelligent morality. With lis
eoming. superstition Disappear"
Then will como the millennium, sup.
pose, suggested the reporter, aud thegcn.
llcman, who bcheld In the distance the
Rpai revolution, boarded a car and made
lot an outgoing train.
a Mfikman'. Curious Device.
A milkman Of this city has created con-