The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-12-16
SCHOLARLY
ADDRESS
BY COL. TAFT
"Ths InsprsssIbls Conflict, "
Subject Of Lecture Before tho
Metaphysical SocIsty.

Colonel Henry S. Taft was the speaker
at the regular monthly meeting OF the
Metaphysical society yesterday afternoon
and the subject of his lecture was THE
Irrepressible Conflict" A large number
OF members OF the society and their
friends attended and listened with marked
attention to Colonel Taft's scholarly dis
course.
In treating the New Thought doc
trine. the speaker said in part:
This conflict has been maintained not
only TO supplant the spiritual by invest
Ing the material or physical with a pre-
dominating influence. but also 10 en-
hance the power and dominion OF man
made creeds and dogmas and to place
the control and direction OF mans spiritu-
al being in the hands OF some organized
school of ecclesiastics for the purpuse Of
surrounding the latter with all the pomp
and circumstances which the sggrandize-
ment IF wealth and the centra liza don of
power could command During all these
ages OF attempted subjugation Of the
spiritual life by the oppressive DEGREES OF
material and man-made creeds and forces,
great apostle of liberty who has en-
deavored TO lift the veil OF blind fanatic
ism and 10 break the chains OF ignorance
and superstition In which the world was
lying. There were many devoted mar
tyrs TO this cause, Anaxagoras, Socrates.
Aristotle, Demosthenes, Plato and many
other illustrious characters, and a few
centuries later came that define figure.
John the Baptist, the herald OF that great
l.,lRt t1. I9o.l. .@ft "a
fulfillment OF the prophecies OF men OF the
olden timey inspired by the Holy Spirit
the dlspensation of Christ has withstood
the assaults of its enemies through all the
centuries.
SIN THE CAUSE.
Man is not superior 20 his circum-
stances as matter OF fact, but man H.
created with plinary power 10 be supc-
rior TO his circumstances. The nearer yoii
get TO material development, the nearer
you get 10 absolute physical law and that
is bondage. The further YOU get from
matter. and the more you live by those
powers that arc most ethereal. the furth-
err you are from material law and the
larger is your liberty. The great mas
OF all races OF men always live in bondage
10 physical law and to material and so
cial conditions. The pain or pleasure OF
the human mind Is dependent upon cx-
ternal conditions To such n degree that
one means OF reaching men. even with
moral truth, is TO control their physical
wants.
There is logic and sound sense In the
claim OF the supremacy OF the spiritual
over the material in mind over matter.
This conflict Is never ceasing: either con-
sclously or unconsciously the war between
spiritual and the physical forces I'm man
is being relentlessly waged IL. ~ is
more often the case, the physical becomes
the victor. IL speedily usurps the throne
and proceeds 20 subordinate all the higher
spiritual attributes to the lower and de-
basing appetites, selfishness, ayarice, sem
suality, depravity and crimes which
shock the world by their brutality and
wickedness. The physical demands that IL
shall bo supreme, that II has rightful
domination over mans welfare. IT would
have you believe that God is the author
OF disease and suffering. Sin at some time
and In some manner has been its cause.
Let us unity and solidify the diverstics OF
our thought into a creed which shall meet
the wants OF the poor. the neddy. the af-
ficted and distressed. as well as OF the
worldly, rich and prosperous. With this
armor shall we march on Victory and the
era OF peace and good Will to men shall
ultimately prevail"