The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1902-09-04
NROM the trend Of presen t
X thought it is not at all illogical

NROM the trend Of Present
X thought it is not at all illogical
In to predict that the religion of
the twentieth century will be
the study of Man-not the study of
God; for when the former has sue
eeeded in solving the problem or cause
of his own existence, he will have
solved that of, the latter. Extant reli-
gions express the old scholastic
method of affirming certain truths a
prio4i, to which facts afterward were
expected to conform and allow them
to prove the theory. Take, for exam
pie, certain instances in the original or
first conception of Deity. AS far back
as there is anything at all authentic or
translatable, the first idea was an evo-
luton from chaos to order. Long ago
on the banks Of the Euphrates the first
idea generated. Chaos "the deep" was
signified by the word "Tismst." Order
was the creation Of the gods, who over
came TiaEat, thus subjugating choas
to order. Then followed the selection
of different gods, each representing the
seasons or the elements. Different
countries and cities assumed the pat
ronage of some certain god, and vari-
-ous forms Of worship sprang into
prominence. Famous among them
was the Egyptian sun god Ra; born
from world-egg, which rested or
foated on "the deep;" the bursting of
the egg was the beginning of cosmic
process.
+ The Hebrew word for "deep" is
~'Tehom." There lisa peculiar similarity
between Tehom and Tiamat. It is
very probable that the former with its
attendant idea had its origin in the Ash
attic source. Still later, the conception
of god, as monographed in the Old
Testament appeared on the horizon;
this differs entirely from all other con-
ceptions, in that there is no attempt at
the why or wherefore of his being. Its
originators came out unblushingly and
boldly asserted that Elohim (God) "cre-
eated he heaven and earth." 1t seems
q simple, convenient way of getting
rid of problem which had vexed the
ages, and is still troubling the present
A statement, paSO7S, and even yet
sufficient facts have not been adduced
to support the theory; as is evidenced
by the honest scepticism and doubt
displayed, whenever the direct ques-
tion is put, and answered in sincerity.
Would it not be wellto gather the facts
first, and let the theory formulate itself
afterward? Certainly if any knowl-
edge of the Infinite is to be obtained,
or any evidence of future immortality
it must be found in Man himself; if he
have the latent power, the capacity to
rise above his human environment, the
secret lies within himself and not in
externals: The path he has trod al
ready, from simple cell to his present
organism, augurs well for his future
possibilities. It points the way as
surely as does ontogeny, or the evolu-
tion of embryonic life; an epitome OF
phyIogeny or his tribal history, through
the centrifugal force of Adoption and
the centripetal energy of Heredity. i.
It may be claimed that in ontogeny
there are gaps which break the sequence
of embryonic evolution, and that there
are corresponding gaps in the history
of phylogeny; but they are accounted
for by petrifaction, f0ssilremains, rock
and strata impressions, evidencing pre-
historic life; the different species hav.
ing become extinct, as. have certain
forms that once held brief outline in
ontogeny. Opposed to this is the re.
( ligious conception of theology, or spe.
cial and separate creation an adoption
to final cause. You pay your money
and take your choice. It is not my de.
sire to evoke either a scientific or re.
ligious controversy; and only such com.
ments are offered, as will serve as cem-
entation to the different beliefs and
2 ideas set forth; thus giving some slight
continuity of thought, which seems al
most imperative, considering the mag.