The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-03-30

special heaven is in reservation for
himself, as also, for some of his most
deserving kindred. He may even
hint that if certain vile persons, al
though not quite SO bad as he had
been, are to be saved, then heaven
could have no attraction for him.
He feels that he must have an Sim
mortal soul" because he has been so
impressed from the pulpit, in the
Sunday y-school and in the family and
social relations, from his childhood
on to mature years. He has not in
clined to investigate the evidences in
support of his conclusions but acts
on the presumption that, somehow
his soul is sure of an endless exist
ence. He thus, virtually, contemns
reason as device which is not to be
included in forming a judgment ON
SO vital an issue; and he presumes on
his feelings and habits of life as far
more reliable than the strongest in
tellect can render reason.
One source of this self confidence
IN the unreasoning mind consists in
the constant acclaim from the many
pulplts wherein but very limited
thought is given in proof of mans
immortality. This is assumed as the
established fact, SO that now the one
object is to secure the welfare of the
soul in the future world. AS if the
one object in bringing man into ex-
lstence is for the purpose of allowing
him a chance to save his soul from a
pending dreadful doom in the future
mode of being.
Under these influences the devotees
OF this form of religion arrive at their
confirmed conviction. The force of
their constant habits of zeal and
their association with persons of the
same temperament, as a rule, usurps
the supremacy, and the rational pro-
cess is consigned to the vortex whence
emanate all fearful and fatal devices.
Such self-confdent persons should
first form some estimate of the evi-
dences in support of the assumption
that they have deathless souls. Hav-
ing this rational assistance they could
more consistently pass to the consid-
GRAFTON of its future destiny whether
for good or evil.
Men while under the force of such
strong impressions do not think of
the inconsistency of their mere i'm
impulses, which may come and go in
a manner peculiar 70 themselves.
But in all this arrangement there is
no intention to detract from the val
idity of rational faith and hope.
There is well-deined difference be-
tween knowledge and faith. There
is no place for faith where a matter
passes under personal knowledge. A
man can no more question this than
he can the fact of his own personal
ity. Yet the mistake is often made
OF substituting very strong impress
sion for fact of positive knowledge.
In doing this reason is made subor-
dlnate to an unreasoning assurance
W hich is unworthy of thinking be-
ing. But rational faith is in har-
mony with the best faculties of man.
AS man passes on into the higher
grades OF intelligent being, the more
he understands and feels the value
OF pure reason, and that herein con-
sists the most exalted reality of
personal being. Furthermore the
faith, with the evidences, that all the
unfortunate and lowly will, by the
law of their common nature, arise out
OF their submergement to dwell in
the sphere of the rational and abid-
ing is comforting and convincing.
MOUNT VERNON, IND.