Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1904-03-05
''If a Man Dies Shall lie
Live Again."

and question, as to his equipment to treat a
problem which has engaged the thoughtful at
tention of the greatest intellects of all ages,
without results which place the Affirmative
view beyond the realm of doubt.
That there is doubt on the part of many on
this subject is certainly not in the least sur
prising, as there is no proposition, even as it
relates to material, or SO called true science,
which may not be gainsaid questioned and ar
gued for and against
This being true, skepticism and doubt is
certainly to be anticipated when we enter the
field Of speculative science, and deal with in
tangible entities.
The readiness on the part of many to accept
the strictly materialistic view Of life, is ex-
planned in part by the fact that many are dis
qualified by lack of capability for logical de-
ductlon but more especially, because we live
in a material world, and our FIVE special
senses. are brought to bear only on material
things
1t is a struggle for the possession of material
attention through life
1t being known full we'll that such posses
sions constitute the means bywhich material
comforts and qualifications are secured -
There is Also PRIORITY of IMPRESSION;
as. the developing mind ordinarily becomes
fairly we'll informed as to his material envi-
ronments and relations, before 1t is suffi-
ciently matured to enter the field OF speoula-
tive study
Many articles on the subject of immortality.
(mostly mateEialistlc) have lately appeared
in the San Francisco Press in one of which
1t is sententiously declared that belief in
immortality is degrading"
Another tells us that Death ends ALL"
Death is annihilation" and few sentences
further on declares that death is eternal rest
and sleep" unwittingly perhaps, in his last
declaration endorsing some form Of eternal
existence, as It is inconceivable, that thing,
or person can sleep or rest, without having an
existence, or, after having been "annihiated."
One Rev. gentleman Of some note is reported
to have said in a discourse delivered at Golden
Gate Hall, March End, last, "There is nothing
known of Immortality" 81 am more concerned
in having the best there is in the life Of now"
AS he did not say what he considered the
best in the life of now, he leaves much latitude
for construction by those who accept him for
a teacher, and thereby renders himself exceed
ingy popular with an average San Francisco
popular audience
II he had said HE knew nothing OF immortal.
ity, and was willing to mortgage his possible
chances. of a life to come, in order to secure
the best there is in this life, we would have
been able to definitely classify his position.
and to conclude that he ought TO transfer his
allegiance from the pulpit TO American politics
where his type of talent would haYe full play,
unembarrassed by possible scruples To say
there is nothing known" on any subject,
smaclSs Of a demagogic pretense Of a possession
OF all knowledge on the subject. and suggests
the possibility of a degree Of egotism most
malignant and out OF keeping with his pro
fessiOn
Every multi-millionaire who has acquired his
wealth by wrecking the material interests OF
his fellow men, and (ninety nine out OF
hundred) have pledged their possible future
for the "life Of now" will gladly enlist under
the Rev. gentleman's banner.
The INSCRIPTIONS. the aVericious, the de-
bauchee, the fOrger and the libertine, will read
such discourses with marked approval, and
construe 1t as license, without the deterrent
fear of penalty.
The discourse in question is only noticed on
account Of it's source. and the demoralizing
effect II may have on immature minds.
BELIEF.
There are degrees OF belief, depending on
the conelusiveness OF evidence.
Very few indeed believe any proposition un-
qualihedly. BUT ACCEPT because OF prepon-
derance OF evidence There is no question in
which is limited. and of which We know all;
II we could az once master every detail o.
science, In one or all departments, then pro
gresS would cease, and the purpose OF creation
would be defeated.
To say there Is nothing known OF immortal
ity'' is dogmatie and extravaganza. but to say
that Che evidence Of immortality is not 30 sun
ciently conclusive as to convince all minds,
and, that arguments may be made both for and
against the statement would be rational and