The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-10-18
CHALONER TELLS HIS
RELIGIOUS BELIEFS
Evolves Philosophy Of Life From His Studies in
Which He Will Touch Upon a Book He Is
Preparing, ''BriefStudies of
the Scrjrtures -

Charlottesville, Va. October IT.
Dispositions in John Armstrong Chalo-
ner's suit to be declared sane and to
be awarded control of his fortune
were resumed to-day after a recess of
six days. about the same persons being
present as at former sessions.
The two hours devoted to the hear
ing were used by Mr.. Chaloner in eX-
planning his religious convictions.
and his studies in the Scriptures. Be-
fore he went to Bloomingdale such
matters engaged him but little. he de-
clares, but still his mothers teachings
were with him, and when in the asy-
lum he found that his favorite sister,
Elizabeth. now Mrs. John Jay Chap
man, had become estranged from him,
and that there was no sympathy or
help 10 come from man, he had per-
force turned to the Scriptures for
comfort. Things fox which he had
cared very little became important,
and he evolved a philosophy OF life
from his studies, which he will touch
upon in book upon which he is now
engaged, and upon whose title page
VIII appear condensation of his be-
lief TO the effect that God Almighty
cannot always do as He would wish,
but is bound by certain at present un-
known laws of creation. governing
Him as much as the laws of the multi
plication table.
The book is to be entitled Brief
Studies of the Scriptures" and to have
as subtitle The Impotence of Omni-
potence Caused by the Scientific Ma
ture of Existence)."
VIII BE Live Wires.
Il SHALL" said Chaloner. lin this
brief work treat four or five live
healthy, modern Issues of the Scrip
lures among them divorce. All the
topics are to be live wires. all copy
OF interest. believe in a personal
devil, | did not always. / got this
belief in Bloominsdsle. / felt that
this was case worthy of my pro-
foundest penetration and most COM
pick thought, as to how Jehovah
could stand up against the indict
ment | made out against Him, a being
either impotent or villainous. | dio
not call on God for help, for | felt
1t was up to Him to help me; that 1
had been so badly used that I sought
that vent Of a strong personality, pro-
family. Nothing short OF blasphemy
would satisfy me, and 1 frankly say
that ] blasphemed about as hot as
blasphemy would stand. had no Idea
OF being smitten by lightning, FOR
know that miracles do not take place
nowadays. do humbly believe in
every miracle in the Bible, including
Jonah and the whale 1 blasphemed
because II did me good. l wanted
spiritual drink I distilled IL myself,
because IL Eave me mental outlet
and surceu from pain. After / had
tlasphemed jehovah 1 went to sleep.
when I awoke the lawyer In me
asserted itself. and afterward when l
read the Scriptures | kept my weather
eye peeled on the lookout for texts. OBJ
securities. oracular utterances and dark
sayings either by Himself TO Moses or
by the prophets. and, strange to say,
] found Il system which, so far as
know is absolutely new. | learn that
God must SOW seeds OF events in order
TO reap a harvest of historical actions.
Why this is so, Jehovah only knows.
1t is terrible law. 1t rcconciled me
10 the miseries of Blo2mingdale."
Mr.. Chaloner seems to believe that
nc was divinely sent TO Bloomingdalc
because he was lawyer of means and
fitted for advancing legal reform.
and because ic Is OF temperament
that makes Al impossible for him 40
xtay angry ror life lie has sworn to
devote his time and fortune to reform
ing the lunacy laws. not only Of New
York but of this Whole country and
parts of F.urope