The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-08-26
ur r,MEs-RICHMONDv VA SUNDAY AUGUST 90 1894

ing and In every part, protests against
thought so against thought, so against
reason. SO against general order. 20 re-
pugnant TO the heart and mind and soul
and spirit that constitute his being. He
is In all things n living Testimony to
a higher Being for whom his affections
crave. towards whom honor admiration,
worship. within him, aspire; Father
and God: the object OF his souls deVo-
ton. OF his supreme alteration; his Ele-
ment
1t is n dIsordered mind that sees In
man only quintescence OF dust, ana
in God only virtually, a whirlwind ana
grand conclusion. 1t is the fool tnat
says In his heart; there is no God
But there are divers ways Of deny
Ing the God that made us. The way
Of the scientist IS very scientific In phy-
sizes and metaphysics II Is subiimatioh.
lie would reduce Him to an intellectual
dust. 10 an original or central idea-a
notion, an abstraction. lie would make
him a concentration Of wisdom. power
justice. and every divine attribute. But
at last, he Is TO him a mere assembiage
OF abstract ideas; grand Idol OF his
own pride; his headwork. He Is with
out life. He IS q mere complicated idea
a theological proposition. or dogma,
contamination OF sylloqulsms and net
result Of Intellectual enterprise. an I'M
sympathetic force.
Mankind. as the world and flesh and dew
Il, assert their fallen condition by resenting
and resisting the divine estate OF man.
ba n aflTrlg.
The carnal mind Is at enmity with God
and man; and the flesh wars against
the spirit The oppostions Of science
are Il system of bewilderment. They
scatter and disipate the idea Of Deity,
and make him an airy nothing. shape
less idleness. They are anything else
but business, practical or progressive.
They offer nothing real and actual. They
offer no foundation, no pousto. no rest,
no light, no food, no object Of affection,
no explanation OF life. no teachings for
the soul, OF the common and general,
making empty the soul OF the hungry,
and furnishing the thirsty man. They
beguile with brilliant mist. and dry up
the soul as with the hot winds Of mere
intellectually. Let any man try them
and their theories FOR active life and
experience, for food or drink. try their
consultations in woe: let hem know
man in adversely; and see how he will
witt and wither and die;
Suicide comes with their ethics. What
have they to offer for the trials. the
sorows. the dsgusts. the cravings Of
life. the weaknesses-but humiliation?
They lack everything that Christiani-
ty offers; an all-wise and loving Faith
er, a divine friend. q soul-supporung
sympathy, a fixed. clear. and high stand.
ard. the hope OF Heaven, the worship Of
one BEING. infinite IN all that IS honora-
bic and ioveable in man. a vindication of
mans diNneness. and an assurance Of
It's reality al practicabilitv. Through
the common worship Of one God; Chris
tanity settles all social problems on the
great principles of universal Fatherhood
and Universal brotherhood. The phi
losophy Of Christianity is the perfection
Of practical business sense. It's wisdom
is one, and IS the light and only expia-
nation Of actual life. It's faith is the
substance Of things hoped for, and evil
dence of things unseen. Where reason
fails-with all her powers; there faith
prevails. and love adores-eternal in the
Heavens.