The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1895-12-06
RELIGION OF TODAY.


thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this.
-Ecclesiastes. vii, 10.
1t is certain that the popular Judge
mcnt Of what is essential in religion
has undergone Il radical change during
she last two generations. 1t is equally
true that the popular estimate of the
value Of religion, its influences on the
welfare of society and on tile charac-
ter of the individual, was never
higher than at the present moment.
We are living in destructive, but
also in very revercnt age. Reverent
destruction is also sign of progress.
We believe as firmly as our fathers
did, but the things in which we be-
lieve are not the same, because we,
their children, have been thinking
very seriously about the soul and its
probable destiny.
There are some among us who are
dshcartencd at what they call the
looSeneSs and infdelity of the times,
but the times are neither loose nor
infdel. If one Of these discouraged
souls were to witness a battle from
some distant cOign of vantage his ears
would be stunned by booming arti-
lery and his eyes blinded by smoke of
contest. HcartSick at the frightful
spectacle, he would recognize nothing
more than the clash of arms. But a
better observer would know that be-
hind the fierce contestants was a
principle worth more to mankind
than the brave lives which were spent
in its vindcation. The one man
might bow his head in grief, but the
other would be thankful for the vic
tory. 1t always costs something to
take step forward.
In like manner, the near sighted
deplOrc our recession from the faith
Of our ancestors, but the clear sighted
see that we are building on tue old
foundations something better than
our ancestors ever dreamed Of. If
they could come back from heaven to
view our work they would admit that
what we are doing is worth more than
what they did. Though VIC have
repudiated many of their cherished
beliefs, we are not standing amid the
ruins Of faith, but are living in whole
some security under the broad roof of
"A larger confidence in the province Of
God
We have given up much Of the old
theology, but we have given up none
of the old religion. On looking over
d0gmas which we find in the books
we say that God is too large to be con-
fined within the narrow limits Of such
statements. We may even be start
led at the extent Of our denials, but
we can hardly fail to be impressed
at the number of our aflirmations.
The human heart in our day is pecul-
iary warm to all that is noble and
honest and true. Not trace of inf
deity can be found-only a careful
questioning, a critical survey, with an
earnest desire to find corner stones
which will bear the weight Of a reas-
oning. "As the hart panteth for
the water brooks" so eager are men
to get at the solid truth concerning
life and death and Immortality.
When the old and material idea Of
future perdition is presented we shake
our heads and say, "Our Fatheris not
God of vengeance. You wrong Him
when you cothe Him in human attri
butes." Do we believe less in punish
mcnt than others have done? Nay,
more, but in a different kind of pun.
ishment. No man who has studied
the moral law doubts that he must
pay the penalty of his mlsdeeds. With
sorrowing souls we believe in a hell,
for have we not already suffered its
lOTUlcuJS NOU ueCduoc Nuu was
pleased to condemn us, but because
we have pronounced sentence on our
selves, while He stands by in pity for
our wretchedness. Not the hell of
the future, with its blazing fires but
the many hells Of the present, with
their pangs Of remorse, ineyorable
pain, brought on by ourselves all this
we believe because we have been mis-
cradle offenders.
We have altered our attitude toward
other dogmas in the same way. In
the stead OF acceptance we place
firm rejection. The rejection, how
ever, is the result of profounder
faith. The theology Of the people is
not merely more humane, but more
human, and infinitely more godlike
than that Of the books. For example,
Christ said, "Suffer little children to
come unto me-" and if any man de-
cares that of such is not the kingdom
of heaven, that man, not we, is filled
with heresy. From the mothers arms
the innocent soul will take its flight
to the angels, and no one dare say nay.
Our fathers thought differently, but
they are in another world now and
know better. Our faith is wider than
theirs, for we have substituted eter.
nal union for eternal separation.
We believe in all the neccssares OF
the spiritual life. They are not many,
but they are mighty in influence, and
, our faith In them leaves little to be
. desired.
should say that our relations to
the All.Father are closer and more