The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1905-07-05

I'm the remarkable discussion on rclig-
ious problems now being held in The
sun nothing is more noticeable than
the entire absence of bitter criticism
and intolerance Your correspondents
who are perplexed with doubts in
trying to solve the problem of the uni.
verse are anxious. not scornful.
Giving expression to qucstionings
does not mean that the searcher after
truth has lost his faith in God or his
belief in immortality, but it does mean
that the spread of free inquiry has
unshackled his mind from traditional
errors which have bred bitter contro-
versics in the past. Many of your read
ers of older years will remember the
spirited bigotry of selfishness
exhibited in many a country town by
overzealous members of the several
churches there and the utter absence
of that spirit of charity and brother
hood which happily is ON the increase
these days
IDhe search for the unknowable will
continue as long as the human mind
endures, but after all what does it
profit a man? The old question by
the patriarch Job, "Canst thou by
searching find out the Almighty" ap.
plies to-day as of yore; and our sight
will always be hid by a cloud. Still,
the plant grows in the mist and under
the clouds as truly rs under sunshine.
Call religion mere sentiment super
stition or an illusion, still the fact re-
mains that it is the bulwark of our
nation, the foundation of the American
home. 1t teaches respect for old age,
reverence for womanhood. considera-
ton for children; it builds hospitals
and asylums for the afflicted. erects
schools and colleges and feeds and
clothes the poverty stricken. To its
adherence to these principles does this
great nation owe its progress and pre-
eminencc, and to withdraw the re-
straining influence of the Gospel from
the passions of NOR would prove dis
astrous.
Ask the dcvout churchman. be he n
Catholic or Protestant. as to the
proofs Of Christianity, and he will tell
you that his religion is true because it
satisfies the soul AS of old, the great
body of workers hunger and thirst
after righteousness" Faith in God is
still a living force among men,
If you do not believe it, look at the
great number Of communicates who
go forth every Sunday morning to
throng the aislcs of every Catholic
church in your city; those who labor
and are heavy laden" No human
agency, no gift of tongue, draws these
tired people out of their beds so early
on cold, stormy day to worship Is
faith dead when refined Christian
woman will stand on street corner
by the hour on bitter December day
ringing bell, asking aims to feed
the poor, as many Il member of the
Salvation Army does yearly. SIN His
name:"
Never has the church been presented
with such magnificent opportunities
for helping humanity as at the present;
but If the people receive stone when
they crav, bread, they will seek right.
eousness from other and unexpected
sources. The Christian is not afraid
of the truth. but Pilates question,
"What is truthT" and Where is it to
he fonnd?" is US potent to-day as ever.
Contradictory answers will confuse the
seeker, who is sick of inslncerlty and
hypocrisy, but eventually he will come
TO his own.--John Nj. Hoysradt in the
New York Sun.