The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-12-11
the relations which science and religion
sustain TO each other. He says In First
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the relations which science and religion
sustain TO each other. He says IN First
Principles
"A candid examination OF the evidence
quite negatives the doctrines. maintained BY
some, that crseds ara prlestly inventions
Even as a mere question Of probability II
cannot be nationally concluded that N ev-
cry society past and present, savage and
civilized. certain members of the commu-
nifty have combined 10 delude the rest in
ways so analogous. To any one who may
allege that some primitive fiction was de-
vised by some primitive priesthood. be-
fore yet mankind has diverged from 3
common center. reply is furnished by
phiioiogy: fer philo.ogy proves the disper-
sion Of mankind 10 have commenced be-
fore there existed a language sufficiently
organized TO express religious ideas.
Thus the universally OF religion ideas.
the independent evolution among different
primitive races. and their great vitality.
unite in showing that their source must be
deep seated instead of superficial.
In other words. We are obliged to admit
that IL not supernaturally derived. as the
majority contend. they must be derived out
of human experiences, slowly accumulated
and organized
We must conclude that the religious sem
timent is either directly created. or Is Gre
ated by the slow action OF natural causes:
and whichever OF these conclusions we
adopt, requires us 10 treat the religious
sentiment with respect
To those who are disposed to believe
that science will ultimately disclose the
secrets Of the ever-present mysteries of
the universe. the graf agnostic gives
these impressive words Of admonition:
"One other consideration must not be
overlooked-a consideration which students
OF science more especially need to have
pointed out Occupied as such are with
established truths. and accustomed to re-
gard things not already known as things
hereafter to be discovered. they are liable
to forget that information, however extens.
I've II may become. can never satisfy in
curry. Positive knowledge does not, and
never can, I'LL the whole region Of possible
thought. AT the uttermost reach OF d!scov-
cry there arises. and must ever arise, the
question: What lies beyond?"
In these stately and dignified terms
one Of the deepest thinkers of modern
times-a conscientious and careful.
searcher for truth-deals with the grav-
est questions which engage the thought
Of man.
What contrast to the fiippant utter
ances of the glib-tongued atheist, super
fetal in thought and vast in conceit.
q
girl.
Col. Ingersoll does not argue; he as
serts. Whether his assertions bring con-
viction to those who would like to be-
lieve that he is right, is doubtful. 1t is
certain he brings no comfort to the
gropers among the mysteries Of the I'M
movable. If one pauses to ask the
question: What does he offer in the
place of the beliefs he tries to destroy?
the answer is-Suicide.
Suicide, he says. is justifiable when
hope forsakeS ones breast, when incur
able disease. crushing sorrow, or over
whelming misfortune overtakes helpless
man. And this is all he has to offer his
followers in their hour of black distress
Surely science can do better than this
Turning again to the great agnostic, we
find this significant truth:
Unlike the ordinary consciousness. the
religious consciousness Is concerned with
that which lies beyond the sphere of sense.
brute thinks only Of those things which
can be touched, seen. heard, tasted etc..
and the like IS true OF the young child. the
untaught deaf-mute and the lowest savage
But the developing man has thoughts about
existences which he regards as operative
upon him"