Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-05-23
TW ELVE PAGES
TUESDAY. MAY %, 1899.
FAITH is THE BEST WISDOM AND
KNOWLEDGE.

1t is the tendency OF the positive phi
losophy OF this age to ascrbe natural
and material origin to all things and to
accept the theory that the germ and
evolution, or development, is the ulti-
mate. If not the efficient explanation
OF everything that appeals 10 our intel
ligence. How true soever that may be,
1n fact, 1t is certainly unsatisfactory.
We still find n mystery yet uneXplored
that appeals irresistably to our insatia-
BILE curiosity. What is the origin of
germs? Whence came the force md
direction OF evolution? Is anything
spontaneous? Is n cause absolutely
necessary as n condition precedent? If
so, how could there be any beginning?
Wherever we look we see mysteries
upon mysteries. and are forced TO de-
duce and infer other mysteries from
these inendless confederation and IN
cver-increasing number;-ju just as every
advance into space. in effect.
expands tho unexplored. and every
stop In any direction but adds
illimitable new spaces beyond.
with the beyond ever recoding
at an accelerated speed as we attempt
10 approach it.
Man is said to be n rational being;
all our alleged conclusions. discoveries,
beliefs and hopes are based on this as
sumption. Yet here lie is for a mo-
ment, n castaway on a small ana prob
ably overlooked or forgotten islst of the
universe, claiming and demanding to
know and understand ali things. when
he cannot, or does not, know himself
whence he came or whittier he goes.
Yes: this ephemoral insect of the hour,
man, having eaten OF the apple of
knowledge and thrown away the core
IS devoured by an inappeasible appetite
which he mistakes for capacity, and
which is really only n symptom OF an
7ncurable indigestion Inherited from
Eve and the devil. Perhaps. too, it has
developed a mental tape worm, in the
likeness of the old serpent that whis-
pered at the ear OF our first mother
Instead Of gratifying our diseased
ycarning, or seeking to do so, It would
be more rational and beseemlng to ap-
ply ourselves to the discovery of a
remedy for our malady, the original sin
of desiring to know the unknowable
and to betray the secret whereby chaos
IS reduced to order and light has con-
quered darkness.
Why in greater matter. follow the
example of Blue Boards wives? Why
endeavor to reach and Invade the in
scrutable heavens? Does the fate Of
the Tower of Babel md It's builders
teach us nothing? Most of us have
quit looking for the philosophers stone.
to transmutc all other metals into gold :
md but few of us are trying 10 concoct
IN elixir of life that shall abolish death:
although both OF these enterprises have
been revived in Chicago, where unreal
son always find n hospitable home. II
not an asylum. But all of us, every
where are working on. or contributing
10, another Tower OF Babel. This one
is of gold and must succeed. say the
prophets OF Baal and Mamhon. Even
the gods from high Olympus will meet
us half way and bow to our golden calf;
and wisdom herself has no door that
will sst yield to the golden key The
onlyl .rrculty Is mn accidental or de-
signed confusion of gn-bcards. maps.
routes and surveys, which ere so mixed
alp that there is already dispute ms
10 whether the Tower Is erected on holy
ground. or on the ash-heaps, cinder-
piles and Stag dumps Of sheol. Alas,
Zen <ne hoosn whoza foundations ara