Evening journal., 1901-06-27
RELIGIOUS FADs

when the claim is made that even the
ology has been modified to accord with
more liberal Interpretation OF philos-
ophy It is a little singular to find that
those sects once sccrned and ridiculed
have taken a new hold upon public
esteem and are beginning to flourish.
A news item tells OF plans to erect
a splendid Mormon temple In New
York city to accommodate numerous
worshipers in that locality. Recently
1t has become popular and fashionable
10 listen to lectures upon the teach
ings OF Ccnfucius, the Chinese min
lister having given a number OF dis
sertations on the subject. 1t was sur
prising to see with what eagerness his
audiences followed his every word, and
the storms OF applause which greeted
the salies unfavorable to Christianity
seem to Indicate an enthusiasm be-
yond mere tolerance.
Recently too, in Chicago a church,
was founded based upon the doctrinoI
Of uneblief. These people have their
own marriage ceremony, their princl-
pal pledge being to propagate unbeiief
While the other new cults are flour
ishing, one Dowie has stirred the peo-
pie Of the same great city of The West
He announces that he is the incarna-
tion OF tho prophet Elijah, and thou
sands Of people seem to regard the
statement as entirely plausible. He has
laid great insistence on the Biblical
doctrine of tithes, and as he is the
head OF the church, his Golfers are rap
idly being filled.
The news Of the annual demonstra-
ton OF the Christian Scientists at the
home Of the founder Of their faith,
has given some idea Of the proportions
OF that organization. The original
church has a membership Of more
than 10000, and there are over 500I
churches Of the order In this country.
Among the followers Of Mrs. Eddy's
peculiar teachings are many persons OF
recognized leadership in the various
walks OF life, and many OF the titled
ones OF Europe delight TO do her rev.
orence. One popularity of this sect is
that its average intelligence is high,
and 1t has made li.tle headway among
the very ignorant
Il is the easiest thing in the world
10 found a religious sect, and there can
be no view Of life, or of its hereafter,
too absurd to collect followers. Men
viii combine FOR anything. which Is
shown by the ease with which suicide
clubs are formed.
10 Is not profitable to discuss the
merits OF these sects, since only an in
tcrminable wrangle to no purpose.
would ensue; but the average hard
headed man believes he has a right to
demand that Christian Science must
prove its case. Thus far the doctrines
enunciated by its founder have not
been made clear TO the average intelli-
genoe. and we doubt whether any in
telligenoe could comprehend them. TIN
a new and definite system OF terminol-
ogy has been established. The meta.
physical dissertations sound like the
rawlings Of insanity, but il we are mis-
taken, perhaps Il is because the
thought is, too abstruse to be express
ed in any known language. The pub
lie at large is eminently practical, and
insists upon something more
than theory. II will continue e
ask pertinent or impertlnent
\ questions. such as why do animals
get sick and die?" why cannot faith
set a broken bone?" VIII faith pre-
vent decaying teeth and consequent
toothache?" why are little children
sick? and why do they die?" We dom
pretend that these questions cannot b.
answered satisfactorily. but the aver
age man would like the replies 10 b.
. brought within the realm OF his owl
intelligence, 50 they may have a mean
J. ing TO him.
Is the hold OF the old establishes
: creed lessening? and are the earlier, an
D what we have regarded as crude, TAX
p ing fresh hold on the minds OF the pee
y pie? Faith cure Is almost as old as th
Is race, and Confucianism is nearly a
l. ancient; is this return TO our prim
tive ideals? Or have we a set os brair
~ less people who worship fads?