The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1912-03-15

nation OF Religion" by acknowledge
ing the tendency in scientific men to
dogmatism. On this he remarks
Scientific men as a class are quite
as dogmatic as the strritest sect OF
theologians Never was any
one more arrogant in his claims for
pure reason than l was-more arrogant
in spirit though not in letter. this be-
ing due TO contact with science
My object in writing this last treatise
is not to impart any philosophical sys-
tenn, or even positive knowledge. but
a FRAME OF MIND free from undue
influence in merely syllogistical con,
illusions in regions of high abstrac-
tions"
He then goes on to "deplore the over
sight OF which he had been guilty in
not being sufficiently careful in exam
ing the FOUNDATIONS OF HIS
CRITICISM. namely, the validity of its
premises. Il recognized that the
question of Theism fro mthe side of
Reason turned on the question as to
the nature OF natural causation, but I
ERRED IN NOT CONSIDERING
WHETHER HIGHER CAUSES ARE
NOT NECESSARY TO ACCOUNT
FOR SPIRITUAL FACTS. i. e. wheth-
er the Ultimate Being must not be at
least as high as the intellectual and
spiritual nature of man. i. e.. higher
than anything merely physical or me,
chanical" He further says;
7 honestly confess. with Pascal.
thar MAN WITHOUT GOD is MIS-
ERABLE Some men are not con
scious of the. cause of the misery: but
this. however does not prevent the
fact of their being miserable. For the
most part they conceal the fact as well.
as possible from themselves, by oc-
cupying their minds with society.
sport. frivolity of all kinds: or, if in
tellectually disposed. with science. art,
literature, business, etc. This, how
ever. is but to fin the starving belly
with husks. | KNOW FROM EXPER-
IENCE the intellectual distractions of
scientific research. philosophical spec
ulation, and artistic pleasures; but am
also well aware that even when all are
taken together and well-sweetened to-
the taste, in respect to consequent rep
utation, means, social position, ETC.,
THE WHOLE CONCOCTION is BUT
HIGH CONFECTIONERY TO A.
STARVING MAN He may cheat him-
self for me-especially if he be a
strong man-into belief that he is
nourishing himself by denying his nat
ural appetite; but HE SOON FINDS
THAT HE WAS MADE FOR SOMEl
ALTOGETHER DIFFERENT KIND
OF FOOD. even though of much less
tastefulness as far as the palate is
concerned. There is a vacuum in the
soul of man which nothing can fill
save FAITH IN GOD"
In relation to the question of the
evidence Of the truth of Christianity
Romanes quotes John Hunters char
aeteristic saying. DO not think-try."
And adds: TRY the only experiment
EXPERIMENT OIL
FAITH. DO THE DOCTRINE. AND.l
IF CHRISTIANITY BE TRUE THEl
vERIFICAT1ON WILL COME, not in
deed mediately through any course oil
speculative reason, but IMMEDIATE
LY BY SPIRITUAL INTUITION" iii
any man will DO His will. he shall
KNOW of the doctrine. whether it be
OF God John 7.1Tl.
As to his deepest personal conviction
be declares. that only to man who'll
y destitute. of spiritual perception can
it be that Christianity shuld fail to APP
pear the greatest exhibition of tiieI
beautiful, the sublime. and of all elsel
that appeals to our spiritual nature
whict has ever been known upon our|
earth.
Sometime before Mr.. Romanes'
death. he returned to that full, deliber.
ate communion with the Church of
Jesus Christ which he had so many
years been eonseientiously compelled
to forego. i
TO sum it all up briefly. as Rational-
istic science has attempted to explain
the origin Of the system of Nature, so
Rationalistic criticism has sought to
account for the origin of Revelation.
As to the ultimate of all this. this
writer is optimistic enough to believe
that victory for the truth as it is Christ
is rs sure as that God is in His Uni