The Washington herald., 1906-11-18
SupeTStiHOn.

In the District jail last week a muir
derer paid the panaIty Of death for his
crime. He was hanged on Friday.
It would take an unusual degree Of
moral courage in a criminal judge. ap-
parentiy, to fix an execution upon any
other day than Friday. Why? Simply
because there is an old superstition that
Friday is hangman's day, a superstition
that has so ingrafted itself upon our Gus
toms that it has actually the sanction Of
law 1t is 4 curious thing, this matter Of
superstition. No matter how brave and
Indifferent we may appear to be, the time
comes when we shrink because Of some
untoward sign or portent. We may long
since have freed ourselves from the
domination Of the number thirteen, and
even may pass under a ladder without
fear OF death. The fact is, however, that
If we are not influenced by one thing we
are by another. If we DO not shiver when
the salt spills on the table, we touch wood
when we are felicitating ourselves upon
the absence Of Ill fortune. II is doubtful
whether any human being exists who Is
absolutely free from any trace Of super
stitiOr. There are many men who claim
70 be immune. It is a claim which they
themselves belle almost every day in the
year.
The origin of this curious trait in human
character can be traced back 10 the very
beginning Of the race. Primeval man en-
coUntered from the first a series Of man
ifcstations that were beyond his ken. He
shrank instinctively from a power out
side of himself and beyond his control
il was necessary to propitiate these mys-
terious and potent influences. Unable to
prevent the wrath Of storm, the ruthless
ness of the sea, the darkening of the
sun, he sought to appease the gods who
controlled the various agencies of na-
tUrc. The infancy Of the human race was
Graded in fear, and though thousands
perhaps millions-0f years have inter-
vened. that fear has never been eradi-
Gated. To be sure there has been some
degree Of emancipation. We do not
now beat the tOm-tom TO frighten away
the devils Of the air, nor DO we swing
torch to divert the lightning's stroke
There still remains in our system, how
ever. some of the Objectionable virus. We
cannot entirely rid ourselves Of it. 1t is
extremely doubtful, too, whether the time
will ever come when we shall be free As
long as there is mystery in nature, and
the inexDlicabIe occurs TO stir our imagi-
nation, just so long viii We cover, and
shrink. and pray.
A child who fears 10 enter dark room
viii have no feeling Of fright if the same
room be lighted 1t is the dread of the
unknown that breeds superstition. On
the other hand. as the old proverb says.
knowledge is power. "Ye shall know
the truth says the wise Book, and the
truth shall make you free" When the
knowledge Of truth is universal, then will
superstition depart This happy consum-
nation is, however, far away. There are
secrets IN the world which seem beyond
our penetration. The greatest Of these is
death. It is unfathomable We know not
whence we come nor whittier we go. Be
yond the grave is sea Of darkness,
wherein faint CLEANS Of light are given
out by faith and not by knowledge. And
as long as we are ignorant Of what that
darkness hides, we viii be weighed down
by superstition and by fear.
No wonder that the law hangs a man On
Friday. The burden OF superstition bears
heavily upon US all