The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-08-29

irreligious. Materialism. agnosticism.
panthelsm are the current philosophical
systems of the present day. In the face
OF the baneful Influence OF their teach
ings how can inexperienced and partly
formed youth withstand? God is no
longer Creator of the world nor is He
mans Maker and Master. There are
no realities which the senses cannot
srasp." declares the materillist. "lt
there are l do not know them,'' says the
agnostic.
Modern philosophers dc not hesitate
to declare that mind Is but a phase OF
matter and that there Is no spiritual
substance in man. These teachers have
no concept OF mans supreme dignity
they can extol but the material and
direct life's activities according to
purely unitarian standards. Mans
moral responsibility Immediately ceases,
for there is no other sanction for con-
duct than convenience or self-interest.
Conscience Is but a taste for conforming
TO the conventions Of good society: re-
finement is OF equal value with purity
OF heart; sin. no longer an insult to the
supreme majesty of God. is but an
offence against human nature.
The influence Of these false doctrines
can be counteracted only by the faith
full instruction in those religious prin-
ciples which are the basis of the true
philosophy OF life. Where apar, from
religious training can the student learn
that he himself is an immortal being
with an eternal destiny, whose soul is
the great central activity manifesting
It's power through the faculties OF in
telligence, memory and free will? Re-
ligion alone teaches the essential rela-
tionship OF the intellectual and moral
faculties in man they both have their
source in the immortal soul.
From Christian ethics the voice OF
conscience receives profound respect and
reverence, because it is the mirror OF
the eternal law OF God. When the
existence OF the Supreme Lawgiver Is
recognized and His o~mnipotence and
majesty felt with n salutary fear. then
does human nature do itself violence in
obedience to the moral law. 1t is only
through religious instruction that the
mInd grows strong and bright with a
knowledge OF revealed truth. develops
a holy respect 10 the divine sanction Of
the dictates o. conscience and leads the
will 10 obedience and submission to the
prescriptions of law, both human and
divine.
This moral power Is Of far greater
Importance than Intellectual acumen.
False PHILOSOPHERS of life are llfe's de-
struction. for they set up false ethical
standards. They can produce but ma
terialistic, unitarian minds and hearts
which easily become the bane and pest
OF socia ty instead Of being the bulwarks
OF their countries
The concrete expression % this false
Philosophy H. found in much OF tn, lit
erature presented in schools and coi,eg =
as a means to ~!utellec. raj developments.
This fact Is stated with due recognition
Of the tremendous Importance Of literary
training as an Instrument Of education.
For the most wonderful and exqulsi ,
creations of tn, human mind have their
place in the worlds great llterar: in
hcritance, . c roful ,dy of the best
in literature tends to strengthen the Ia.
tent mental faculties. The Imagination
is aroused and qulckened he mind is
trained to diligent application n to an
appreciation Of the Inspiring thoughts OF
the master minds Of history.
Literature IS re than artistic styr
and grace OF construction. Literature
! the expression OF life, II dcs rlbcs
man as he lives with all his quallti =,
good and bad, The pagan classics par
ticularly too often serve ! to shock
the mind and to weaken the VIII for
their authors cannot rise al owe nature.
In the golden re OF Greece and Rome
n national morality founded on re-
ligion was never conceived. The
literary masterpieces of PAGAN an
tiquity picture fallen man at his
worst. living far from the reyela-
tons of God L~d following to the eX-
treme the impulses of human natures
basest passions. out OF this Vision OF
the ambitions and struggles of pagan