Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-08-21
DETHRONEMENT or REASON,
L,ALNLll,NN \. l.,NIL, A.,n ON = u WV NJ Il,

ENVIRONMENT OF SENTIMENTALITN
" EASON is the royal faculty Of the hu-
X man mind Its function is to ascer-
- tain truth, to move the emotions in
| accordance with truth, and to direct the Will
in obedience to truth.
Emotions which are unrelated to truth
are a species of psychological self-abuse and
debauchery. Sensiblites which are ndif-
ferent, or hostile to truth are indictments
to evil deeds. Choices of the will which
disregard truth iniquitOus and vOlitiOns
which disobey truth are wickedness in pur-
pose.
That which is truth to the reason becomes
purity to the emotions and righteousness
to the will.
To reason, thus enthroned over heart and
life, God Himself appeals. Come now, let
us reason together, saith the Lord isaiah
i:18). In the Holy Scriptures the faithful
are eXhOrted to be 'ready always to give
an answer to every man that asketh you
reason of the hope that is in you" Il Peter
HELD
When reason affects the sensibities by
the truth the process results in noble and
enabling sentiment But when the process
is reversed, and minimizing emotion domi-
mates reason, the outcome is mere senti-
mentality from which reason is excluded by
an excess of degenerate feeling. This state
of mind is not far removed from hysteria
and insanity; for the insane are persons in
whom there is a arrangement Of the normal
adjustment of the intellect.
Sentimentality, therefore, is to be avoid
ed as a sort of preliminary hysteria, or
qualified insanity. One who is subject to
it is like man in a rudderless boat, driven
by every gust or gale that may arise on the
sea over which he sails. His dangers are
manifold and his destiny uncertain, with
every chance for a safe landing against him.
Against such a periIOus situation St. Paul
warns us, that we be no more children,
tossed to and fro, and carried about with
every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of
men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they
lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the
truth in love, may grow up into him in all
things which is the head, even Christ"
(Ephesans iv:14)
Human nature is easily ard constantly
beset by this eyer-present peril, and our
generation is thus beset most of all. We
boast that ours is 'the age of reason" but
it is entitled to no such characterization.
1t is described with far more accuracy if
called "the age of emotionalism." By it
reason is often dethroned and sentimentality
enthroned. IT. goes by it's feelings much
more than by its judgment.
Men enjoy the excitation of their emo
tons a great deal more than they find
pleasure in the enlightenment of their in
tellects. "Thrills" outrank thoughts with
them.
Young people especially desire exciting
spectacles and moving scenes, as they do
not wish study and education.
Humorous periodicals are sought and seri-
Gus publications are neglected. "Short
STORIES" with exciting situations and emo
tional endings, displace instructive history
and eleyating literature.
And this dethronement of reason and en-
thrOnement of sentimentality is working in
our day deterioration in every realm of life
and region Of human endeavor.
1t manifests itself in the sphere of re-
HgiOn by the senseless slogan of debasing
creedlessness, Il believe in religion but |
have no use for creeds."
This is a demand for unthinking and
impOtent sentimentality which would leave
the human mind destitute of religious truth
and the human will undirected and uncon-
trOlIed by divine law.
1t is passing strange that men should alb
ical creeds, economic creeds, and medical
creeds. A creed is simply what one be-
lieyes; for that is what the word means.
Why should it be considered so virtuOus to
reject all belief concerning matters reli-
gious? Does it make difference what one
believes about Christ? If He>is mere
man, and nothing more, the worship of Him
is idolatry. If He is the Goldman, the re-
fusal to worship Him is impiety. He de-
manded OF the Phdrisees, who derided and
rejected Him, what think We Of Christ?
Whose son is He?" (Matthew NXii:42. J.
And that question confronts the present gem
Grafton no less than it did the Jewish rulers
in the days Of Jesus on earth.