The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1901-10-26
rnE orrsIpE nAnIr.

InE OFFsIDE HABIT.
BY the 0ffside habit We mean the
habit m religious discussion Of assert
ing ones escape from the conventional
faith BY dwelling 0n the objections to
belief. and making the most of the ar
guments for disbelief IN the current re-
llgious tenets Of the church. It is a
frequent tone Of mind found among
young students, Il exhibits a certain
vagari0usness OF thought, but even
more, It natters the offside disputant
with the comfortable assurance Of his
Independence Of the traditions OF his
fathers. He feels that he Is thinking
for himself. that he Is the slave Of no
old dogma. that be Is ready to sacrifice
tradition 70 truth. But the offside at
titude IL not the true inquirer's atti-
tude. The true inquirer cannot acquire
an offside habit. His business Is to
seek eagerly and impartially for the
indications Of truth, II his mind Is
balancing It's evidences be will Just as
freely consider the arguments that
make for religious faith as those that
make against II. and Will be just az
likely 70 call attention to them lie
cannot be an onaide man. The fact is
that offsidedness Is not the temper Of
an inquiring man. but Of slack and
llslless mind. or al least a mind either
inert or unwilling 70 give serious at
tention 10 the subject Involved. This is
particularly true when the subject Is
one so personal In its nature as is re-
llgion. Religion involves duty and
conduct A conclusion reached may
affect profoundly ones whole manner
OF life. This ought 10 be a reason for
careful investigation Of all the data
available 10 reach a conclusion; but in
stead Of that It is likely to be reason
tor delaying and avoiding a conclusion
ln order that one may as long as pos
slble, escape the possible obligation "a
accept IN conduct and life the result tc
be reached. In this case the easiest
way ls TO hang on. 10 dwell IN thought
and Ia conversation on the ofiside anc
make this emphasis in the objections
TO religious faith a way Of pacifyinl
ones conscience as to the duty o.
reaching a conclusion one way or th'
other. There Is nothing noble ant
brave about this dallying and nibblini
ofsido habit. It Is rather timorous an6
culpable. Far better Is the earnes
spirit which seeks conclusion II
opinion and conduct and then attempts
to proseiyte others to e. We respec
a man who has a mind Of his own
and all the more II he feels enough
| responsibility for the right thinking
and right conduct OF the community Z
attempt to bring them over 70 hi
opinions We feel his approval with
out regard 10 the supposed CORRECTNESS
Of the conclusions reached and urged
II is the earnest purpose that we ap
prove. We cannot help liking posi-
flvcness, the man who wilfully dan
giles In the air. hooked like a Hindl
lfakir. resting neither ia heaven nor oI
the earth is not a sight 10 inspire en-
thusiasm in others or 70 do any good
Such a man Ia business would nege
take a venture or win a fortune Thin
OF such a man. He is considering IN
purchase Of a property; he will no
make up his mind; he refuses to bal
ance the arguments tor with argu
meuts against and then let the weigh
settle into decision. but thinks onl
Of the difficulties. the dangers. and doe
nothing. why IS Il any less FOOLS
ln matters OF religious faith 70 talk
nothing but the objections, while ye
admitting that they may not be con
elusive? II is the part Of wisdor
either to accept or to reject the Chris
tian life and the profession OF th
Christian faith. a probable conclu
sion any one can reach that wants q
II one reached no conclusion, If b
keeps swinging on the tenterhooks
that ne does not want 90 make a ID
cision. He prefers. either through mer
tal iazlness or from unwillingnoss.
accept a likely conclusion or thr0ug
moral coWardice 20 give himself n
liberty Of life FOR which De is wiliin
60 apologize. but which be- cannot va
orousiy defend. ln either case the on
side IS not manly Of oommendahle.
81 the last thing on which one shoui
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