Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-10-27
SUNDAY THOUGHTS
ON
MORALS MANNERS
WRITTEN ron THE DIsrArcn.l J
BY A cLERGYMAN.


Certain philosophers Of our day have
undertaken to provide substitute for
Christianity. The faith of the churches.
they say, is obsolete; it answered very well
Tor the earlier ages, and for man in q state
OF GENERALIZATION, but it cannot meet its
modern objectors, it cannot hold Its own
with science. and it is destined to take its
place with ire-worship and fetishism. The
Bible is very excellent book,
incongruous and incomplete, to be
sure, but remarkable for literary
qualities, and interesting as memorial Of the
past The Fisher of Galilee was a very good
man, q teacher Of singular power and purity.
misguided possibly. but nevertheless one Of the
most remarkable characters in history. These
very amiabie philosophers Of the day. having
found the folly and futility Of the effete tradi-
tons of the churches, are unwilling that their
Ieilowmen should be any longer burdeDed
thereby, and are ready to lead them Up to their
own serene heights of self-complacent philoso-
pny. This being the case, it becomes q matter
OF interest to ascertain what they have to offer
In the place of the faith whose falsity rhey have
discovered. Doubtless the Christian religion
Is SILL neid by very many who find in it what
tney pilndly'imagine to be peace and comfort.
sustained by its precepts and promises. MANY
millions OF people have lived pure and honest
nves, and have died hopefully and TRANQUILITY.
should be So deluded but it is out Of the ques.
mat they can be persuaded to give up the
iaith they now have without adopting some
substitute. It is interesting, therefore we say,
to offer
One of these new lights in formulating the
new creed announces, in the first place, that
the human race Is tossed upon this round ball
OF earth naked and shelterless, and sent whiri-
ing through space; why, we don't know, and
whence we don't knew. and whittier we don't
know" The sole duty of man. as he further
states, is to hang together and stand by the
interests of the whole body''-'raking nothing
1or granted. welcoming all eccentricities Of
opinion, believing nothing because it has been
believed for long time, tolerant Of everything
that, and objecting to nothing except ill-humor,
discourtesy and insincerity," There's no help
for man but in himself.n
Here, then, we have the articles of the new
faith. This it is which is to take the place of
the old and worn-out faith. We have at last
clear enunciation of the new evangel. Let us
look at 1t for moment: Instead of the idea of
watchful and controlling Providence caring
even for the sparrow's fall, and providing for
the daily wants of nunberless creatures, we
have blind Something which Is tossing and
whirling the race through space. without re-
OF the doctrine of the strengthening presence
OF God in the heart of man, we have man in his
loneliness, with no help but in himself" In
place OF the two-fold commandment of love to
God and love to man, we have the imperative
duty of hanging together" and 'objecting to ILL
humor, discourtesy and insincerity." Strange
isn't it, that the churches are not swift to
abandon their battered and threadbare creeds
and take up with faith which brings so great
comfort and help; which is so cheerful and in
spring, and which must make 1t so easy to face
the duties of this life and the uncertainties OF
the next?
1t is not our office or aim to enter into re-
ligious discussions of any kind. But when the
question becomes one between religion and no
religion, between faith and universal skeptic-
sm, we cannot refrain from speaking We de-
'ire only that the OLD. simple, comforting faith
may be compared for a moment with this new
,reed of the new philosophers in order that it
may be seem what dreary and ghastly sub
Ititute the latter is for the former.