Year: 1879

VISIONS OF THE FUTURE AND SoTmsR DIS DIS


@. P. Pufnam's Sons.


With no lack Of critical discussion OF the
points OF religious belief which Of late years have been
made the subject OF earnest inquiry by many acuVe
thinkers volume will doubtless awaken the interest
Of numerous readers informal but profound and
elouuent exposition OF the religious ideas that are helu
BY the writer after passing through the ordeal OF ee
criticism Mr.. FrothlDg CHAM is prominent representa-
tive OF what is known the free religious movement
and the present discOurses nay be regarded as the
Interpretation Of some Of most important results
The foundation Of the system would appear to be "a
faith in humanity ard in the spiritual elements OF
human nature the view OF the author, the course OF
things has been advance from the lowest rudmena
beginning 10 the present point OF attainment ana ne
march progress destined to pass beyond this pomt
10 unimacinable splendOrs Man is the shaper of his
own destiny, and the historical movement OF the Wond
depends the organized force OF humanity Inc
religion Of the present age must be OF chaiacer 10
give supremacy 20 The intellectual the moral the spirit
nal nature Of man. II must be the educator and lnsprer
of natural human endeavors. In this genera
tion saws Mr.. rockingham. IL has become common
20 break down dividing lines OF good and evil
II has become customary, In some quarters, TO con-
found principle with passion, 10 consider duly ana
desire as the same make the animal nature the war
rant for low and unworthy impulses, and to give the
name Of philosophy TO what never before has been





the duty OF rel gion by whatever il is called To
sard for intellect reason. conscience, sympathy JUS
tce and truth, for whatever digndes. exaits purles
and cnnobles the individual character IL must do what
science philosophy, education In their way have tred
10 do and, being a religion. must add TO the last
gracious touch of dignity elevation, purity. giving to
knowledge charity, ana perfecting truth by faith and
hope. Nor will the religion Of this age neglect the
claims Of human brotherhood. The great need is Tor
sympathy and recognition between high aud low
strong and weak rich and poor. wise and simple This
want is deeply felt and passionatcy uttered inspiring
the Jealousy Of class toward another and naming
tho spirit OF discomfort and unrest Religion alone
saws Mr. Rockingham, can meet that want Religion
alone has the sovereignty human nature the power
20 touch depths of feeling TO draw men away from
their selfish attractions and open TO them the sphere OF
disnterested endeavor seltsacrihcing love- Its
symbols are the cross which means surrender OF the
individual to the universal and the cup which means the


ingnG of the universal with the individual" Science
which Is engrossed by the pursuit OF knowledge cannot
undertake the task Philosophy which is ABSORBED in


he effort to classify knowledge cannot engage IN the
attempt Religion the mighty spirit which Is more
than science than philosophy Of which they are
the helpers but be the substitutes must enter
npon the duty Religion, which alone has power to
stir the human heart. aud wake up the human con-
science 10 heroic achievement, must break its bonds
and spring forth TO meet desire which has at length
become mperOus. In reply TO those who contend that
religion v
dictate 10 the conditions OF life. Mr. rockingham
arms that this the Oldest the venerable spirit in
the world has its foundation in the eternal laws of
being il has been the teacher OF art ana literature, OF
philosophy and science IL has been the beneactor OF
mankind in ages when they had no other friend. 1t
proclaimed the brotherhood of when the world was
torn with civil and social strife. 1t incucated senti
mens Of democracy whom aristOcracy wore the crown
and imperialism carried the sceptre Of the secular
world This power, Mr. rockingham maintains which
has swayed the human conscience for thousands OF
years which has opened the Of the future to the
contemplation of mortality which has sheltered man
kind beneath convictions Of divine justice and
heavenly care has st right speak and its title to
be heard Tho essential conceptions OF religion, God
md Immortality be destroyed by dogmatic
limitation Its great words duty conservation, dis
interesteduess, devotion, conscience righteousness
The types Of its heroes who have fought for the
truth martyrs who have gone TO the stake; savours
who have been crucihed in order that they
might rise From this brief and very imperfect outline,
readers may be able to gain general idea Of
the purposes and tendencies OF the authors teachings


His will present charm to those who repOse In
the sweet security" OF churchy beliefs Nor will 1t
engage the interest of the austere and lonely thinkers
who regard denial of the of truth, and TO
whom star-eyed science" in her excursions through
the universe has brought nothing back but the tdngs
OF despair" The medLative souls. however. who be-
lieve there is spirit man, and that the inspiration
of the Almighty Gveth him understanding" will find
in these pages the Of their most intimate con-
yicons. In the faith, rejoicing In the beauty
of divine things" which the chase and power
ful elOquence Of the preacher, they Will welcome the
echo OF their highest consciousness and the fit ex-
preston OF their deepest thought.