The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1910-04-10
WILL MORAL on RELIGTOrs
LIFE DIE WITH TEE DElTH
Or DOGMATTC BELIEFP

the first Of series OF letters On the --ts.
ious crisis. Of which this is the las, Nv
first letter was called forth by the h.,..
called do We Belisve,'" and the rres.p,
writer said then with perfect truth A. h,
repeats now. that be came In a. .ea.ner.
not as q teacher. Il h q day In uh..-
learners must avow their doubts II ~,
wish to BE- aAtisled.
Some seem 10 think that with our -
ligious belief our morality must fail And
that We shall become q human herd. No-
| II this wonderful. considering what Chris
tiAnity has done for IN. Christianity IN 20
pure form 10 the highest morality preached
through the best organ. atesstsd and CON-
mended by the highest example; though
an example nos aftainAbls by men an seu.
sral. not within the compass Of ordinary
lives in this world OF labor and struggle.
or compatible with the ordinary nscesai-
ties Of humanity.
me present religion Of chrissIans 70
hAssd upon the doctrine Of rho Pan.
IL 10 taken - certain on the Aufhoriy
Of the Old Testament rhat man vas created
in particular spot and. a. far ~ the nAr-
rative goes. would have remained forever
. dsnizeD of the Garden Of Eden had be
not forfeited that blessed dwelling plaos
by his sin. II 10 surely more In accordance
with apparent fact 20 conjecture that he
came into being. az once or independently
In each case. In q number Of districts both
Of the northern and OF the southern hemi-
sphere: that he looked In each oaae % tie
power and providsr Of his own Locality
a. the author and sustainer Of his being.
In other words. - his deity. The man
Of the southern differs completely In oolor,
and not in color alone. from the inhAb-
liant Of the northern part Of the Globs.
and though their intellectual identity ID
assumed. the assumption 10 not easily
made good.
The primitive man Of each district nat
urally looked up to the power which
seemed 10 have called him into being and
which seemed 10 provide his susten&nce.
a. his deity. The nminAries Of heaven
would not fail 10 attract his gaze.
Presently northern tribes. swelling into
nations. straitened for space and stArv-
ing for food. took SUCCESSFULLY 20 conquest.
and carrying their native religion with
them. superpoSed IL on that Of the con-
quered people II they allowed the religion
Of the conquered people 10 continue in
existence.
or superposition Of the religion Of the
conqueror on that Of the conquered Ne
have more than one case in the East
IL does not seem that the black man ~
the south was generally q oonqueror. Ne
lacked not land. and 20 his climate he WAs
accustomed. Attempts Of the white %
Assirnilats the negro have not been ~
successful a. thoroughly to satisfy ~ n
their common origin and nature.
To this Ne may perhaps partly trace
tho multiplicity Of religions. the various
and too often mutually hostile forms
which Christianity has taken; the schisn-
the prosecutions. the inauisitioos. tbs
aAcerdotal tyrAnnies. the religious ~ars
In a world Of religious struggle not for
truth but for Ascendency MohAmmedAn-
ism when IL came into the world played
It's part.
Then comes Byzantine Subtlety. turning
the Gospel into it, webs Of dogma; and al
tsrward the CrusAdes. prop&gAtinG with
sword and fire the Kingdom Of the Prince
Of Peace
Christianity IL the product. happily
for mankind. Of an element naturally
religious; not of . ooDquering tribe or
tribes. but Of a good peAsantry. such -
furnished Jesus and His apostles; . pop
ulation which had no connection with
military ascendency or with ambition
Of any kind. though We know when am
bition. sacerdotal and regal. got 70 work
upon the religion Of Jesus What results
were produced
Morality. by which man must live II
he IL a social being and society 10 TO hold
together. may well be taken 90 DO the rule
Of his maker. and thus in fact identified
with pure and rational religion. II the
author Of mans nature is God. morality
10 the worship Of God Nor does this
seem 20 exclude . truly religious frame
Of mind or even fraternity in spirit pious.
cTedo qsia IN possible est 10 surely. when
scrutinized. not an expression Of rational
piety. Of piety likely 20 present . Arm
Foundation for character. or perhaps 70
Be very acceptable 20 the God g: :=csh.
II this seems presumptuous. let me say
once more that I speak a. a Iearnsr. not
a. a teacher and that man IN extreme
old age hss little time left in which n
learn. GOODWIN SMITH.
ToRoSTo. March 81
DO We Believe 4 rer0rd o. a greai
r~pouienes In the DIsiy TsisgrlpA. Octoo~r
November. December. iJOt. With an 'ltrocI r.
aoa ~ " / Courtn-y. " \. IL. n. London:
Ho1der aud StOugbton. lSS.
Danger the sabNAy PtatfSrm.
To TIVE EUTIon 90 TVS SUN-,<ir. Ths TIr'-
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