The record-union., 1891-10-21


and the new commandments which Christ
gave, That ye love one another, will
be, perhaps unconsciously, but generally
obeyed.
And now, old man, I viii turn skep-
tic and preach Christianity to you as a
philosophy merely, and in doing this l
assure you that l am not deviating from
the common practice, for you may search
the writings and teachings OF skeptics
and lnhdels from early times down to
Bob 1ngersoH with his eloquent unbelief,
and they and he, after proving to their
own satisfaction that there is no truth in
the Bible or its theory, will come back
and preach to you Il little of the doctrine
which Christ taught, as the only thing
worth practicing-as though a little OF
Christianity was greater than the whole.
You may search the theories and philos-
ophy OF all the religions and of all the
deepest thinkers from Zoroaster down to
Kant and Darwin, and there is not an
idea advanced by any of them which is
worthy Of consideration or remem brance,
except it contains a little Of tho spirit of
the doctrine which Christ taught
Admit that the Bible is a writing
like other writings, of history, or fiction,
or both combined, and that the story Of
the creation is fanciful myth is not the
portrayal Of man in his naked and bar
barOuS state in which he has nothing to
do but to pluck the natural fruit from the
trees, and eat sufficient to sustain his
life, and the change wrought in his des-
tiny by eating of the fruit OF the tree of
knowledge, nrefutable truth? Is it not
just as impossible for him to go back to
his barbarOuS condition Of careless ease,
after he has once obtained knowledge, as
ii would be if the angels With flaming
swords were actually guarding the con-
dItlon? AS woman, 1 am perfectly
willing to assume the responsibility of
being defendant from Eve, who is said
to have tempted the first man-Adam-tO
eat Of the fruit of the tree Of knowledge.
and | Will admit that woman has ever
since been tempting man TO eat more Of
the fruit Of knowledge, and l will assert.
without fear of contradiction, that man
with knowledge and its penalties is
being of much higher order than man III
ignorance with his consequent lack OF
care and energy. For proof, | will only
cite You to civilization, with its con-
stantly increasing craze for more knowl-
edge; the Wisest and best being the fore
most leaders in the search to procure it.
That human knowledge eiS-figuraiively-
the fruit of an earthly tree is apparent to
me because il Is not absolute knowledge,
but merely faith or an acceptance OF
things as they appear to our senses or
reason; but this is sufficient for earthly
purposes.
THAT mind is superior to matter, 1
think san accepted fact or in other words.
it is the spirit of the man which controls
his actions; that, judged by the inherent
sense of right and wrong within us, this
spirit is sometimes good and sometimes
evil, l think, is iGcontrOvertible; also
that we have an inherent sense within US
of power to choose What our actions shall
be. That the spirit which controls man
is intercommunicable among mankind,
is apparent; witness how soon any new
idea, good or bad, will spread and find
adherents; also, that the power of the
spirit, as manifested Individually, is very
unequal is undeniable; witness the
power Of some men and women to sway
others. That this spirit power is gener-
ally good, and more so among those who
possess the most knowledge, or the better
educated, | think is evident. OF the su-
preme power of good over evil l have not
the least doubt.
And now, assuming as skeptics do
that Christ was a mere man, the logic of
His teachings appears to me as perfect as
human understanding can comprehend,
and His life the most admirable that his
tory presents to us. That He had won
derful power of thought or Of spirit, the
record shows. 1t is written that when
twelve years old He was found in the
temple disputing with the educated, and
later He retired into the wilderness for
forty days, evidently TO study over the
problem OF life In His own mind in soli-
tude. The story Of the temptation, where
Satan took Him into high mountain
and showed Him all the Kingdoms of the
world, promising TO give Him all if He
would worship him or be ruled by his
spirit, is what man who felt within
himself the power to sway aud control
his fellowman as he pleased might have
foreseen Us the result of one line OF action:
but He decided in his own mind that
such course of action would not con-
duce to the happiness of mankind, and
chose the higher life, living hunDly
among men, doing all the good possible
to all He came in contact with and teach
ing others to do the same. That such
course in life, if universal, would make
kingdom OF heaven on earth is selI-evi-
dent, especially SO if others possessed the
power which lie is said to have possessed
OF restoring the sick and the afflicted TO
health and sOundness.
Men may talk OF what they believe or
disbelieve; but all men do believe in their
! hearts that this is the true doctrine. and
its practice is spreading, and will spread
indefinitely, and life on earth viii be-
come better and better because OF it.
Christ's teaching, that we shoald accept
| God as we see Him manifested in His
works, instead of seeking Him here or
! there, at the beck and call of this one,
that one or the other one, appears to me
deep wisdom. I and my Father are one, )
says Christ; If ye had known me, ye
would have known my Father also; and
then, after claiming that he is the Son Of
God, he claims all men as his brethren;
and though he cenSures all for breaking
/ the commandments, he is merciful, and
! does not approve the penalties usually
administered, and his seyerest denuncia-
| tons are tor those who set themselves up
as better than those in humber circum-
| stances. He taught a continuance Of in
! dividual life after death, and a judgment
! for deeds done in this life. Virtually, the
! question will be: How did you treat your
! fellow man? If this is true, and memory
! holds her sway, when all shall stand be-
! fore the Creator and learn that He has
| equal care for all, think you there will be
no remorse? no wishing that earthly life
might be again lived over, and lived as
| Christ lived it?
"When Christ, feeling within himself
| the spirit power and genius to become
whatever he desired, turned away from
earthly ambition and earthly glory to
| live Il lite of usefulness and devotion to
/ his fellow-men, redeeming them from
/ precept and example, is it any wonder
! that there came p voice from heaven say
| ing, This is my beloved son, in whom
am well pleased
Now, will drop skepticism tas [ did
! many years ago., and assert boldly that