Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1894-03-30
THE CITIZEN
An Age Of Religious Inquiry.

An Age of Religious Inquiry.
But the greatest of these is charity
Cor, xiii, 13.
The fntuIe historian. now in his swad-
ding clothes, will find himself very much
interested in this last half of the nineteenth
century and pronounce it unique in ,many
important PARTICULAR.
In the matter of material development it
il marvel, and in the matter of spiritual
research it holds a position of unrivalled
excellence.
The laws Of nature have been lassoed,
tanned ard broken to harness. The re-
sources of steam, which our grsndfathers
explored, which made them feel that they
had stumbled on q series of miracles, and
which changed the complexion of the
worlds commerce. forcing our white wing
ed feet Of sailing vessels to come to anchor
and give away to the magician who hid
himself in the bunker Of anthracite coal
these resources are well nigh exhausted
The winds as propelling power have
become obsolete, have taken their place
among the genii, the myths, the supesti-
tions Of the past. Steam is striking ifs
tents and will soon fall into iunocuous
desuetude. Our needs have grown SO
pressing that it can no longer supply them.
During the next fifty years it will become
a reminiscence. The electric spark is 10
be the working energy of the twentieth
century. 1t has just crossed our threshold
with letters ofintroduction from students If
scientific prestidiEitstions. and We have
only had time to look ut its face and its
stature and to note its aggressive bearing;
but it would not be strange if il were 10
achieve wonders which our children's chill
dren will regard with awe and admire
ton.
The world is not lettering. it is taking
long strides One wishes TO live while
these strange things are happening, for to
die just now is like leaving the theatre
when the play is half finished.
But no less marvellous are the spiritual
signs of the times. II might be safely ss-
ssrted that there never was an age Of such
religious ferror as this. We are not,optim-
ists, but impartial critics, when we say
that the average man is more interested in
finding ont whether or not he has soul,
ami If 20, what is to become of it, than
ever before, The largest hall in New York
can be readily filled If the subject discuss
cd is the certainty of two worlds and the
possibility of Communication between them.
The observer Of current opinion 10 amazed
at the attractive quality of these and similar
topics, and is forced to the conclusion that
the general appetite for information con-
Corning the future has become almost
whetted. In some respects it is the most
reverently iDquiritive age of which history
bears record. sceptieism wells its face be-
cause ii il impotent; ridicule snsers in pri-
vate, but seldom openly, sarcasm has dis
covered that the edge Of it's sword is dulled.
Right or wrong, pleased with fables or not
this teased and fretted world is looking
anxiousiy for some hight which the pulpits
of CL ristendom do not H. yet furnish. The
greed for facts concerning to morrow, and
the solicitnds with which men and women
watch for them, are 40 pathetic :thst they
are almost tragic.
Accompanying this new phrase Of life is
an indifference to theology and to conven-
tionsl worship Preachers are not appar-
emily aware of the changes that are taking
place in the public mind. They wender
why their pews are not filed and attribute
it 10 the indifference OF the people to spir-
itual things. But when two tables are
spread, one with food, that satisfies, the
other with food, that fails to do 80. it is
not surprising that the hungry go where
they can get what they want; and it is
mere blindness for the preacher to declare
that no one is hungry because no one asks
for the food he provides. There is no Iowa
of theology, no reverence for creeds in this
generation, but there is longing for in
formation on the subjects indicated. And
If the clergyman insists on theological die
cussion he simplys imperils his usefulness.
The new thought is not always wise, and
frequently il is marked by recklessness and
q want of common sense. What is called
spjritualism and theosopby and Christian
science and score of OF her names is sim
ply cry for help. We may not accept
any one of the theories which are advocst-
cd, We may find fault with them all as be-
ing partly alluring aud partly hideous-
that is a matter of small consequence
Watch the patient crowds that attend
meetings where such subjects are treated
and you will soon discover that great re-
ligious revolution Is in silent progress.
That fact is one to which Q thoughtful
man must give his attention, tor it consti-
tutes sign of the times which no critic
can afford to ignore.
It il not prudent to be over hasty in
Judgment. The wise man has no preju-
dices. What he thinks Ia wrong may
turn cut to be right. and charity will save
him many pspg. This is large world,
and its mysteries are as yet unsolved. You
have no right to say, "Believe as l do,'
That is tyranny and folly. There are oth-
Or brains besides yours, and probably as
good as yours.
If men are searching tor truth In any d.
Iection encourage them. To have desire
to know the truth is itself elevating and
aud if they have taken the
wrong road they will find it out and return.
II crowds like to hear discourse on the
lestiny Of the soul let them gather in
whatever numbers they please. Ring the
bells for them. even though you do not 20
yourself. Call it theosophy or what not;
who cares If men are helped by it. Don't
rink unless you are thirsty; but it is not
necessary to grumble ut others who are
thirsty and therefore drink. Go your way
With your own thoughts, but do not forget
that your neiahbor has the same right to
90 his way with bis thoughts. N. Y.
Herald