The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-09-24
THE REIGN OF LAW.
James Lane Aliens Novel Discussed
by Rev. C. G.. RowlisOn.

Rev. G. c. Rowlison, pastor of the Third
Christian Church. last night discussed
James Lane Aliens Reign of Law" At
times the minister criticised the book with
some severity. but broadened the criticism
by bringing into his argument the necessity
of interpreting the Scriptures with the aid
of science. AS whole he recommended
the book to his congregation to read say
ing the theme of the writer, properly con-
strued and applied to the modern and con-
sentative conception of religion, will pre-
sent wholesome ideas we'll worth consid-
Grafton. The desire of Mr. Allen to convey
the thought that religion is generally
by bigotry and dogma Rev. Rowlison most
seriously deplored. He admitted that the
author in the right in this respect in
many cases, but as a whole the application
was too extreme. He said the faults found
by Mr.. Allen are just as predominant
among scientists as among religious educa-
tors.
Taking up the trend of the book Rev
Rowlison said science had done much 20 re-
veal a clearer Interpretation of the reign
of divine law, connecting the spiritual in
fiuences that govern the material. Hereto
fore, he said, the races conception of the
reign of law confined to outside infiu-
ences only, but the delving of scientists
has made plain the inner process, the high
er element behind material manifestations.
Yet he said, IL is the same old truth,
taught In the old Bible and by our fore
fathers. but presented in a different light.
The reasoning faculties have only been ex-
ercised TO a greater extent, evolving the
divine plan into vertfication of the orig
inal truth that the Law of love governs the
universe.
The introduction of science has done
away with many of the ancient and mis-
taken forms of religion. he said. and lifted
| the church to higher spiritual plane. The
religious world of to-day differs from the
original world in its conception of divine
| law and scientific principles. This is an
age strained by reasoning" he said '.rea-
soning in the nature of everything We
must have a reason for sickness, reason
| for the crops failure to grow. a reason for
! disa sters, a reason for atmospherical
| phenomena, reason for the Gal
weston Hood reason for every
| thing in the whole universe. We do not be-
| lieve there is a merciess God, yet prayers
| are not lifted up to Him for relief in these
commonplace things. IL a neighborhood is
unhealthy, we go TO the health officers and
have system of sewerage and drainage
established so that the laws of nature adj
| just themselves. We do not go to God in
| these matters; science and reasoning have
| taught us that divine arrangement of ma
| ture makes IL possible for us to work out
| the solutions which govern our welfare
There was time when persons were put
! to death for slight infringement of what
! was considered divine law, but that time
has passed. The heresy law has passed
| out of the age"
| He closed by saying science has done
much TO lift religion above former supersti-
| ton and has placed In ii light acceptable
/ TO those who wish TO reason for themselves.
| This reasoning, he said, always results in
the conclusion that there is divine hand
| above all and that the life of everything in
| the material universe comes through God.