The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1892-02-17
o1SUNDAY TH0UGHTSbo
%OHk
MORALSP MANNERS
BY A CLERGYMAN.

A thoughtful writer calls attention to
the demand for facts as characteristic OF
our age. In every circle of unbelief, for
example, the solons snake their heads
and say, Away With sentiment; give US
facts"
Well, as the scribe above referred to
goes on to remark, we are in condition
TO supply this demand. Let it not be for
gotten that Christianity is fact-an om-
nipresent and stupendous fact Its phil
osophy is thought out; its ethics are re-
duced to practice; its predictions are now
historic photographs. The presence OF
apples in the market proves the existence
of apple trees in the orchard. In the
same way the fruits of Christianity attest
and authenticate it.
When skepticism attacks religion it as
yails Christendom. For where is religion
cen? Is it seen only OF chiefly in bibles
or creeds and catechisms? No; it is seen
in the character of the people. 1t is adj
vertised in their laws, manifested in their
habits, exemplifed in their homes, pub
lished in their civil institutions, engrossed
70 their jurisprudence.
Ii one would Judge Brahmanism or
Buddhism let him travel through Asia, the
graveyard OF progress, where minds are
clamped and cramped as feet are IN China;
where government is tyranny and religion
Is posture and imposture, and learning Is
folly. and heaven Is conceived OF harem
full of dark-eyed houris-a vast broth ell
where woman is despised and condem ned
for being guilty of her sex and infanti eide
is a recognized social institution.
Contrast these results with the fr uits Of
Christianity Of property, equal
laws, rectitude of private character r, sancti-
ties of domestic life. Science" IS Lord
Bacon SAID, lighting her torch at every
mans candle yes, and for every mans
good. Education provided for all by the
commonwealth, religion in the tn ought
and life OF the people.
Why is Asia what it is, and why are
Europe and America what they are?
Climate does not explain it. Race does
not explain it. What makes the differ
ence? Christianity alone accounts Tor it.
There is a divine element in this which
those oriental religions lack. The one is
God-made, the other is man-made.
'Oh," il is answered, there are plenty of
dishonesty, untruthfulness, immortality,
seliishness, galore" True, but why? A re
these vices the outcome of Christianity?
Do they not exist in the face OF Chris tian-
itv? Christendom is as good as it is be-
cause of Christianity. Were it more
Christian it were more honest and true
and consistent with its own ideals of faith
and practice. But even az things are
Christendom is to heathendom as "Hv-
perion to a satyr." In passing from the
one TO the other, we feel as Milton ex-
presses it. Like one who had set out on
bis way by night and travelled through a
region OF nightmare and distemper. and
who arrives at last on the confines where
daylight and truth meet US with a clear
sawn representing to our view, though at
far distance, true cOlors and shapes"
The Christian asks fairly of the infidel, If
this religion be not of God how do you
explain its results? All other faiths have
miserabIy failed. Christianity has meas
urably succeeded already. and is marching
on to complete dominion.
On the other hand, what has unbelief
ever done? What divergent interests has
it brought into unity? What strength has
it given to weakness? What frivolity has
sobered? What harlos has it purified?
What ignorance has it schooled? What
death has it cheered? None. Nor can it.
A shadow cannot warm. 4 cloud cannot
emit radiance. 4 negation cannot propa-
gate any more than a eunuch can beget
offspring. The mission of unbellef is to
DENY. Without a house itself it works
away at the UNDERMINING of other mems
houses. For thousands OF years it has
done nothing but shout, MOI That Is
its history and supreme achievement.
Mother" said Hume, the historian, to
his believing parent, get rid OF your
Christian prejudices" Her reply was:
any son, can you show me anything bet
ter?''
The singular part Of it is that uubelief,
while refusing to give creGence to religion,
readily credits anything and everything
else. no matter how absurd. Eve be-
lieved the devil rather than the Creator.
Ahab rejected the testimony of Elijah,
but was willing enough TO accept the
divinations OF the lying prophets of Baal.
Old DR.. johnson, incredulous on other
points, was a ready believer in ghosts
Here is Co. Ingersoll. He laughs at
the bible, sneers at the church and satir-
lies the credulity of Christians, vet few
years age he publicly defended and eulo-
gized the star route robbers, the most ar
rant rascals IN America. What shall be
thought of a man who charges Christiani-
ty with falsehood and maintains that
Brady and Dorsey, the star route thieves.
were models OF truth and honor? Cha