The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1898-02-25
'tFor the Democrxt.Star.
STARTLING

80 Wv NVtNsNuSSo Ob WV AsS's ~
Hcber Newton, Of New York. There
has been a great deal Of comment
everywhere among the clergy over the
recent assertions Of DR.. Newton, who
says that the world has outgrown the
religions Of the past and the present
These bold words has shocked the
ministers Of every creed, and has
created u great deal OF disturbance in
religious circles throughout the c0un-
try. The doctor goes on to say that the
thing tO be found Is some great con-
ceptiOn that can weld society together.
lie says that the traditional system
VI divinity
HAS BECOME OBSOLETE,
and that you might as well ask the
world To embrace Roman or Grecian
mythology, as to accept the miracles
and supcrstiliuns OF the Bible, that
men are now asking for gospel in
vernacular Of the nineteenth century.
Not necessarily q new gospel, hut at
least a correct translation OF the old
one into a tongue understood by the
people. He says the ministers are
asking the world to believe an impos-
Siblc Bible, and worship miraculous
Christ, and that 1t has caused Il wave
OF doubt to break over church walls,
that will ere long drive the world
INTO ATHEISM.
He would like to see all churches
invited into one colossal order, that
with hcrculcan strength could com.
bat with this great army tf dOubtcrs.
He further says, that the present sys-
TEN Of religion has dwarfcd our clvili-
zation. 1t is not my purpose at this
time to defend the religions Of the
past or present. But it is to show the
skcptical divine that his charges are
false, and that he belongs to the mis-
taken clsss, and IL far from being up
to date himself. His yaguerieS have
carried him into an nntcnable posi-
tion. from which, it will bc difficult
for him to cxtricate himself.
So far as civilization Is concerned,
it is about as perfect as human in
genuity can make IL. Civilization, as
] understand 1t, consists In u due re.
gard to moral and political justice. In
our established laws, usages, inter-
cOures and habits Of life, human i'm.
prUvemcnts, or whatever contributes
to the peace, Health, security and
happiness OF mankind, Is civilization.
Intelligence. moral and political i'm
provements Is the riches fruits In our
civilization, and tie Christian system
OF religion has done much To aid II,
for our own peace, happiness and pros.
pcrity Is far 10 advance Of any Chris.
tiau or payanizcd .cOuntry known.
And again. he says the present sys-
tenn Ut religion has arrested the hand
Of science, and veilcd In opacity the
Inventive mind.
DR.. Newton should not forget that
u few centuries back his ancestors
were living In u dugout, aud wearing
the undrcssed skins Of wild beast,
and feastlng On dryed snakes and hu.
man flesh. The doctor must certainly
know that science. under the present
system Of religion has given US every
thing VIC possess. 1t has gwen US the
food We cat, the clothes we wear; II
has inlpr0vcd the human mind; per-
icctcd the human FORM; mOdulated
and enriched the human veice, until
the sweetest strains Of music are
nuught when compared with the we'll.
trained voice Of u cultured lady, when
deviation mell0ws 1t into song. Our
wearing apparel has been Improved
%, from the tig leaf OF Eden CO the
eidcrdUwns, that prOtects US from the
winters Icy blast, and the linen guazc,
that shields us from tile insNppOrt.
Hbly rays Of Z summers sun. He
must knNw that 1t was science tbut
constructed the telescope, through
which the human sight can wander
out through the mysterious Aun'ra
Of space and read the hidden pages Q!
creative history and that through! lts
lgency W. luve learned that the Plan
atUry system " revolving arOund one
grand center, supposed 10 DO the
tbrOne NJ deity. Science has given US
tie stcel rail With It's palace car; It.
hus given " tile stcuui engine, 10
which water Is converted lnCu vupur,
and with It's tlreless arm, II hOlds N
idle repIsc, the hand Of toll, while its
csiuntloss wheels. AroAburdened With
the wealth .Uf thG N III, Whllc IN
tfanslent u the nin< (6tl Os trade.
SsIsncs kas given us g {Iie mssnetic tel. Tel.
epsaph, and by its MD we uln send Oui
lh0ngllte over tile m0untuln's top, Vi
transmit thcuI beneath the waves ol
n The Doctor must eestsIaly ,kuow
that he hnn fncfl tW w 3hOrch ti(Nl