The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1892-09-03
EMOTIONAL RELIGION.

The camp-meeting which has been
in progress for several days near this
city has elected considerable atten-
tion, and the methods used have been
severely criticised. That the doctrines
preached are generally those which
would elevate society to higher
standard no one will deny, although
tinged with Purltanism of two hun
dred years ago; but some expressions
are reported to have been made by the
preachers which are too ilIiberal to be
tolerated in this age of the world. We
refer to one particularly in reference
to Catholic schools, which, if used,
should have been severely censurrd.
1t is fact that some of our leading
young men and ladies have received
their education in these institutions,
and, while we do not favor denomina-
tional education, as it invariably
dwarfs the immatured mind and con-
tracts its views on religion, yet the
purest morality is taught and young
ladies especially are better prepared to
fulfill the duties of life.
AS regards the emotional character
of these meetings, we see no objection
on thai account, for the growth of re-
ligion is confined to these feelings,
and that race or people having these
fully developed will always be the
more superstitious or religious. Sci
entific demonstration Is antagonistlc
to belief In myths, whether they are
contained in the Bible, the Talmud,
the Koran or the Vedas, and as the
reasoning faculties advance in the
realm of demonstrable truth, faith In
the trinity, immaculate conception and
inspiration becomes weaker and weaker.
But if man conscientiously believes
that he is held over the brink of eter-
nity by slender thread, which may
break at any moment, ana that the
vicarious atonement Of Jesus Christ is
necessary for his salvation from eter-
nal punishment, it is not at all sur
prising that when he realizes his dan
ger he should become intensely excited
and very much in earnest. Religion
is nothing if it is not emotional. 1t
lives and grows in proportion as these
faculties of our being are alive and
active. Philosophy and science have
nothing in common with religion, and
the development of either of the first
two has fatal effect on the latter. For
this reason we claim that Methodists
act only consistently when they pursue
the methods they do, and evince the
strength of their faith by the earnest
ness OF In0lr WOFk.
No race or nationality ever existed
in ancient or modern times without
some idea of an overriding, supreme
being, and this is very necessary for
the ends of government, as the first
principle taught in religion is obedi-
ence. This leads men to bear many
ills rather than make any attempt to
better their condition, if by so doing
they would endanger the supremacy
of law. Aside from this, it must be
considered that the unwritten code of
the country endorses the Christian re-
ligion, and it has been so decided by
our highest courts
Under our free institutions the
greatest freedom in the exercise of in
dividual or collective ideas regarding
the worship of Gcd is guaranteed TO
every person; but while all religious
denominations are granted this privi-
lege, those Americans who have lib
eral ideas on the subject are entitled
to consideration. While sinners are
being urged by earnest prayers to lay
hold on eternal life, others who
may not believe in any religion should
not be. .eternally damned from the same
pulpit at which the supplications are
uttered. Briefly, religious opinions
should be entitled to the same respect
as those of more materialistic kind.
The world will thus go along harmo-
and while all obey the laws of
the land there will be the same immu-
nifty for every citizen.