The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-17

race. But far larger proportion belongs
TO category widely different. The subject
has serious and alarming aspects of which
L need not speak. The diffusion over our
entire country OF this congested population
Is suggested by some. Deportation 10 re-
gions below the Amazon, or to Central
Africa, has been proposed by others. Both
propositions are impracticable. Besides, the
negro is his own master, and If We could
send him he would not go. Under law, he is
entitled TO all the privileges and rights we
claim for ourselves. Moreover. this people
were not brought here with their consent,
but by the iniquitous slave trade, which
Virginia and the Carolinas resisted in vain;
now they purpose to stay. "A stupendous
enigma confronts Patriotism, philan-
thropy and piety demand action and raise
Fffth-There Is a philosophy so called,
seemingly misguided reaction from mater
ialism. 1t denies personal God. an in
carnate Christ, a Savior from sin. 1t Is
largely a revival of ancient gnosticism; a
twin sister of pantheism; a spawn of un-
benef; one of the greatest decisions intelli-
gence ever accepted; the worst system OF
ethics that ever diverted souls from God
and duty. This philosophy denies the ex-
istence of matter; insists that we leave no
bodies; that there is no solid ground under
our feet; no girdling mountains. no gleam-
ing stars; no disease, infirmity or death.
'Sixth-The increasing dissertation of the
Lords day presents serious problem. The
Sabbath Is imperiled by a growing ten
uenCy 10 SeculdT1Ze IL, 10 neglect 1tS re-
ligious privileges, to substitute the vul-
garities of the Sunday press for COM
munion with higher and sweeter themes to
devote its sacred hours to travel TO ex-
functions. II this memorial of Christ's
resurrection were banshed, whatever of
Christianity might remain would hide in
mountain fastness, or in crypts of deserted
temples. and the race. dominated by inf
deity. despotic rule. and the prince Of dark
ness, would sit in ashes on the circle of
the earth, nursing the impatient earth
quake.
RATIoNALIsM
"Seventh-Still another problem Is asso-
ciated with the rationalism of the age.
This is the Red sea, which casts up mire
and dirt, and smites the trembling shore
In higher grades of life. in SCHOOLS of learn
ing, in popular literature and in a few
centers Of theological thought, 1t is doing
its work. 1t threatens the foundations of
public morality and of all saving truth
1t seeks to account for religious phenom-
ena on natural grounds. 1t interprets as
fables, allegory, or the birth of supersti-
ton, much that Is historic; denies the
supernatural conception of Christ, the in
fallibility of His teachings and the neces-
sity of His sacrificial death. 1t makes hu-
man destiny chiefly a personal determina-
tlon, and so-called inward goodness, pro-
cess of human evolution, the meritorious
ground of everlasting life Wherever it
extends, religious experience loses in depth
and In power; revivals are few or I'M
known; worldiiness increases; symbolism
gains ground. and formal ceremonies i'm
pair spiritual worship. Babylon with it's
silence and chains may become the her
itage of many. or a general spiritual dis
fntegration ensue, which, in the judgment
of some, will summon the presence of the
King
.'Eighth-Again we cannot detach our
selves from existing social conditions.
These must be corrected as far as they are
wrong. Sociology is becoming an earnest
study. None of US have got beyond
initial principles, and see not clearly how
10 apply even these to existing problems
and make them a controlling, uplifting
force. Social ethics, social economies, So
cial affinities, questions of race, color, mu-
nicipal rule. international Affiliations, cap
ital and labor, trusts and combinations, le-
Ultimate competition and production, rela-
tons or employers and wage-earners and
correlated subjects perplex minds the most
astute and threaten the foundations of
civic life Great wealth is in the hands of
few. Many lack the necessities of exis-
tence. In Great Britain a quarter of a
million of its people hold more property
than the remaining forty millions combined,
and like conditions exist among ourselves.
They are a menace to the public peace and
awaken widespread alarm.