The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1898-01-15
finite matchless power in the glorious
world around us.
FAITH AND SUPERSTITION.

A favorite objection to the truths OF
religion, with unbelievers is the un-
fortunate fact that faith and supersti-
ton are often found in Close, company.
Superstition is deplored far more by
the believer than it possibly can be by
the unbeliever in religion. Supersti-
tion is diseased religion. Superstition
and ignorance are tho great twin
enemies of religion. The unbelcvcr
suggests Il strange remedy for the re-
moral OF superstition. He insists that
we must cure the disease at any cost
that the highest aim OF human effort is
to cure this disorder. SO soicitous is
tho infidel for the utter extinction of
superstition. that he insists we must
kill tho patient to cure the disorder
Destroy faith he says. take away re.
ligion. and superstition, or false re-
ligion, will be seen no more 1t would
be equally as reasonable to say that we
should destroy health in order to remove
disease. We would have no counterfeit
coin If there We're no genuine article.
Religion is supertition's cure, not It's
cause. The less religion people have
the more gross and dcbasing their
superstition will be. Teach men the
truth lmpalt to mems minds correct
notions OF Cod Of the supernatural,
and tho mysterious world around and
above them, and superstition, or delu-
sivc notions will vanish. The reason CT
man thirsts for truth. Truth is the
emancipation of human reason. You
shall know the truth and the truth
shall make you free" was the inspiring
promise of the Savior of mankind, tho
light" Of the world.
Religious truth. no more than any
natural truth, does not demand the sac
rifice of mans reason. Religion does
not enchain liberty Of thought All
truth imposes wholesome restraints, not
shackles upon mans reasoning powers.
All law. human and divine. imposes re-
straint. not slavery, upon human con-
duct. AS just law exists for the prOtcc.
man liberty, so all truth human and
divine, is hOnored among civilized and
cultured men, because it sheds the light
OF lasting truth into the human soul,
and dlspels the dark clouds Of ignorance
from the human mind. Nought but
injustice makes men slaves Nothinl.
but falsehOod letters the mind of man.
No influence that has ever been felt
III tho world has dealt so generously and
kindly with human reason as mas tne
clevating influence OF the saving religion
of Jesus Christ. No system of science
or philosophy has ever offered such
homage TO human reason. as has been
given to it by the religion of him who
preached the immortal sermon on the
mount. He instituted his religion as IN
enduring school of instruction, that
should minister to the constant needs
of human reason, until time should be
no more. He established a teaching
commission to continue its work for the
benefit of all nations TIL the end of
time.
A teacher implies that something must
he taught. The fact that something must
be taught implies that Intelligence
shall receive the teaching. Jesus Christ
would not offer violence to human rca-
son. as he never would interfere With
the freedom Of human will. lie left
n C i11fr ,f,F ,,r l.,
reason. by making provision for It's
cnlightment. culture mad liberty, in
establishing his teaching church, n pi]-
lar and ground of truth in the world.
His teaching church is living and in
telliGent witness, as we'll as a PAINS
taking teacher. of his uplifting doc
trincs, no! only for rude and uulct,crc1
ages, but for all nations, ana for every
creature. Religion gives to reason ma
lerial for Its researches and to Thought
food for reflection. Religions lucid.
emphatic teachings no more cnslavc
the thoughts of mon. than do The fixed
rules of mathematical science Divine
truth is not made up of such inlricacics
as the unreasonable sarcasIna of in
fidcls would have IFS Imagine. Il, IL
the most patient. as well as the mos,
comforting school. to which the inu,ir
ing mind OF man may apply in Ills
search after truth. 1t has been the
great civiiZcr Of the world. It has
given birth to charity for the fallen.
to compassion for the suffering. to .ln-
selfish, practical sympathy for human
misery If generous bcncvolcnce is now
popular among civilized nations, If there
is genuine fraternity among men, we
owe 1t to the refining power of the re-
]igion Of Jesus of Nazareth.
The unbclicvcr never tires nf remind
ing us that the duties of this life must
take precedence over all others. that
love of home and family ties, obedience
to the laws Of enlightened civilization,
loyalty to country, and fidelity to
friends, is the best and only reasonable
religion. He cnlarges upon these vir
tues as If they came into existence. and
were preserved in @nitn Of tho ,our,,n,