Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-08-05
ANOTHER LAY SERMON.
Religion an Instructive Aspiration and
a Stimulant in Man.

Religion an Instructive Aspiration and
Stimulant in Man.
To the editor OF the New York Sun
Sir: In the remarkable discussions on
religious problems now being held in
the. Sun nothing is more noticeable
than the entire absence Of bitter criti-
cis,n and Intolerance. Your cores
pondents who are perplexed with
doubts in trying to solve the problem
of the universe are anxious, not scorn-
full.
Giving expression to Questionings
does not mean that the searcher after
truth has lost faith in God or his be-
lief in immortality, but it does not
mean that the spread Of free inquiry
has unshackeled his mind from tradi-
tional errors which have bred bitter
controversies in the past. Many OF
your readers of older years will re-
member the narrow spirited bigotry
and 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 brotherhood and which happilyis
on the increase these days.
The search for the unknowable will
continue as long as the human mind
endures, but after all, what does 1t
profit man? The old question by the
patriarch Job, "Canst thou by search
ing find out the Almighty" applies to-
day as of yore; and our sight will al
ways be hid by a cloud. Still the plant
grows In the mist and under the clou Is
as truly as under sunshine.
Call religion mere sentiment, super
stition or an illusion, still the fact re-
mains that it is the bulwark of our ma
ton, 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 poetry stricken. To its
adherence to these principles does this
great nation owe it's progress and pre-
eminence, and to withdraw the re-
straining influences of the gospel from
the passions Of men would prove dis
astrous.
Ask the devout churchman, be he a
Catholic or Protestant, as to the
proofs of Christianity and he will tell
you that his religion is true because
1t 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 belive it, look at the
great number Of communicates who go
forth every Sunday morning to throng
the aisles 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 COLI,
stormy day to worship. Is faith dea
when a refined Christian woman will
stand on street corner by the hour
on a bitter December day ringing a
bell, asking aims to feed the poor, as
many member of the Salvation Army
does yearly, "In His name?"
Never base the church been present.
ed with such magnificent opportuni-
ties for helping humanity as at the
present; but if the people receive a
stone when they crave bread, they will
seek righteousness from other and un-
expected sources. The Christian is not
afraid of the truth, but Pilates ques-
ton, What is truth?" and Where Is
it found?" is as potent today as ever.
Contradictory answers will confuse
the seeker who is sick of insincerity
and hypocrisy, but eeyntually he will
come to his own.
JOHN NJ. HOYSRADT,
Stamford, Conn.,, June 16.