New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1896-06-03

labrogated and that all laws shall be con-
formed to the requirements Of natural
morality, equal rights and impartial lib
Ierty.
That not only. in the constitution, but
also in the practical administration Of
the same, no privilege or advantage shall
be conceded to Christianity or any other
religion that our entire political system
I.shall be administered on q purely secu-
lar basis; and whatever changes shall
prove necessary to this end shall be con-
sistently, unflinchingly and promptly
made.
The speakers distinction between the
Sunday or '.joy-day" Of free-thought
and the Sabbath or holy-dav of the
church was striking, eloquent and beau-
tiful.
On Sunday evening the speakers au-
dience was tripled and he succeeded in
agreeably entertaining them with dis.
cussion Of "Freethought and Morality
Orthodoxy, he said, afirms that NOR
atty is founded upon the will of God.
Freethought denies this and finds the
foundation of morality in human nature
itself. The obligation of right arises
from the unity of all life; in fact, as
Humboldt says, that the universe is a
"llving whole.'' The standard of moral
action must he happiness. In the rule
for conduct, one must not only seek his
own happiness, but also always regard
the happiness of others. What conduces
to happiness is right and what makes
unhappiness is wrong. There can be no
better standard of judgment. A good
thing must be useful thing. II 1t Is
not useful it is not good. The glory of
God is to make happy universe. Hap
piness is the perfect exercise of every
faculty which one possesses.
How is happiness to be attained? By
the cultivation of mans whole nature.
Man is complex being; he thinks, he
feels, he acts. The progress of man con-
sists in the true unfolding of feeling,
of thought, Of action. Orthodoxy places
the heart, or the feelings, at the front,
and makes one think in obedience to the
feelings. The intellect follows the die
tates of the emotions. The Christian
says: This is true, because feel it to be
true.
With freethought there is only one
truth discoverer- is the brain of
man. The emotions can discover no
truth. They can simply appreciate the
truth when presented by the intellect.
What are the sentiments of FTeethought
the sentiments that would elevate and
improve?
Freethought teaches self-respect, SYM
, pathy and reverence. Orthodoxy teach
es total dep, avity, sectarianism and fear.
Freethought recognizes the dignity of
human nature, the universal brotherhood
of mainland affirms the nobility of life
in itself. Freethought IS also education
al. In every human being there is some.
thing to be brought out, to be unfolded.
Freethought believes in unfolding it.
! Orthodoxy simply takes the place of IN
stluction-It does not educate. 1t puts
something upon man from without-lt
does not seek to express that which is
within. Orthodoxy does not recognize the
value of this world-it looks to another
world: Freethought devotes itself to
this life and would make tn. best of it
Through this life and its development
it would seek the glory of any other life
1t would fit man for duties here and
now. 1t would train the body; educate
children to good health. It would also
train the hand-teach the child not only
to think but to act. 1t would give ar
industrial education, for it affirms the
dignity of human labor. It would trair
for citizenship and for the duties of par
entage. It. recognizes the home life will
the social life. Freethought is liberty
science, humanity. 1t is constructive
in it's spirit. 1t looks to the future. Il
welcomes the priceless inheritance of
the past; but it is not the slave of the
past. It accepts everything that is use.
full, be it i'll the Bible or Church It be-
lieves in man, in his capacities and il
his constant improvement.
The Duluth Herald in speaking of the
republicans who have departed from the
principles of the party, as expressed
times without number IN it's platform
says: