Year: 1871

AhERCAN RELIGION By JoaS WHss I'm" PIN @-e "'Oe'A
The central idea of this volume. If we may


give definite form 10 the meaning Of the author amid
his prodigal OF illustration isthe harmony OF
religious conceptions with the law of progressive de


velopment which recognized by the most distinguished
modern authorities in the domain of science I'D inc
opinion OF Mr. Weiss all effects flow ont Of all causes Ill


unhroken continuity Of direction thought and purpose.
The Creative Mind, which is present at every poh' o'
space in every of time brings about the success
sion Of all phenomena without break OF en- lhterpoa
ton The facts of and species OF saa' epoc's'
transitions, OF and systems onN express our
mental recognition ot characters, but do not eonhf he
existence OF any interruption in the divine sequence OF
events Our own mental form OF unity reveals TO us the
nature OF the supernara whether we believe that this
mental form the net result Of all human experience
or primitive constituent OF the mind. When Mind Is
developed 20 great degree az TO have gained GER
tain insight into the system Of Nature the Supernatural
appears the ground and efficient cause OF uniformity
and rupons from the invisible crowded out by the
sstenanoe law Since the creation Of man, compara


religion does not furnish fact 70 justify the idea
of mental development by special Intervention Every
race shows graduasm in all the provinces of its intel
ligence. There is not a single break which can
not he accounted for by natural causes Every
Kind Of truth has spread by gradual con-
tact from one race TO another Upon every meridian,
the same embryOtic ideas of morals and religion are
found which develop with variations due 20 local in-
huences alone All religious souls have been suoS'ah-
italy alike in the material OF their Thought All
sages and prophets have shared each others esseu1l
ideas Beneath the blush Of all their checks. the com
position Of the blood has been identical PytbdgoFds
differs from Thaes by the date of his history and his SUI
periority is that OF subseQuence. There was faint
sense Of the divine FatherhoOd IN religious thOught
long heore Judea became fragrant with tal oophdenee
Tho Only supernatural condition Is that OF perpetual III
dwelling when Christ comes after Socrates The true
mental method which is that OF evolution, and orderly
sequence is not of negative character Ii brings God
10 man through all the legitimate channels OF knOWl-
edge deduction emotion, and human love. There are
no recesses OF the that be reached by the
even tide Of GOdIu the application of this principle
of the progressive evolution of religious IDEAS MI weiss
touches upon points of pregnant interest al
ways bringing their discussion keenness OF analysis
which tends 10 produce conviction by insight rather
than by argument, and an aboundng wealth of Illus
ration which makes the perusaleOf his volume IKE
walk through forest fragrant with the dewy odors OF
bud and blossom flashing with the gay coors OF singing
birds and vocal with their melOdiesIhe idea of Amer
lean religion, according to the explanation OF the au
thor. is constructive one. 1t offers emancipation
frOm the cruel stepmother of tradition, into the
immediate liberty OF the sons Of GOD. America Is
an opportunity to make religion out Of the sacrednes
of the individual IndyidualSD, free from the govern
mental jealousy of the old world, here asserts itself
favor of a society that shall be more acc0rdaut with
natural principles The law Of ndyduaiism is not the
selfish welfare single persons but disinterested co
operation for the common benefit. The country must
not be made up OF horde of units without any uniyng
principle. nor surrender every temper and grade OF
culture 70 a quarrel with its neighbOr. The individual is
thrown upon hs OF morals and religion,
under circumstances that invite him 10 cultivate ira
ternity as well as pursue his interests. He is his
own king and bishop, but his neighbOr is one Also This
religious identity is the natural affinity which demands


aud secures the service Of each individual for the other


and prompts the sacrifices OF the republic. But the nd


yidual IA subject the law OF the divine immanence
and is fastened the bosom Of God while he dscanS
allegiance 70 the rule Of secs and ordinances. The in
dwelling presence OF the Deity is the sustained evolution
of all natures and species by means OF Their appropriate
organization In connection with this TOPIC. SIR Weiss
discusses the tendency of scientific at the present
day-men who stand closest 10 the real order OF the
world, and who are emancipating the best thinkers
from the tyranny OF old phrases and methods-to refer
all phenomena 20 Force, hold the genera idea of
Cause, without considering il Person. They deem it
superhuous 10 talk about divine iInrnalenee
hear the necessity W being supplied with personal
God But in reality, SAYS Mr. Weiss their Truth Is


God br force is him also, their mvaTiable Law is the
proclamation his and their subtle facts the
hints he gives OF directions favorable TO pursue" The
Language OF scientific often presuincs an indlileI
enoe which they do not feel They hold 1t sacred duty
10 conne their phrases to the business IN hand Tie de-
lection the actual processes Of creation awaKens their



than this For religion recognition OF the laws Of the
universe the confinement Of effects the lines OF cau
saltv and the reconciliation Of all knowledge 10 invisible
Trntb The Inconsistencies Of the scientific intellect
does not weaken fact that God nheres in its method
and is the breath OF its suggestOnsFrom the specimens
We have given OF Mr. Weisss trains Of thought, our
readers may obtain idea. correct although Inadequate
of the main drift OF this remarkable volume, which We
do not hesitate TO pronounce one Of the most original
and suggestive which have appeared IN our native
literature But OF the rich and delicate flavor Of the
composition, they will gain true relish except from
the persal of the work for themselves Mr. Weiss is
essentially poet rather than philosopher and the
strange beauty Of his language can no more he impaired
by description. than the delight OF an airy strain OF
music stilI solid basis of thought never fails 10 under
lie the pictured creations Of his fancy Tn profuslOn OF
imagery in which nc indulges is not the sport Of way
ward intellect but is always made TO minister in tie
service Of sound reason HIS conclusions. which are GER
family al war with many popular conceptions OF religion
cannot expected to command wide assent; but. we
think few intelligent readers will Ise from the study Of
the volume without being deeply impressed with the
earnesness OF its tone the transparent cudor OF its
Argument its insight into The tendencies and the needs
of modern thought aud its subtle force and exquisite
beauty Of expression.


BOSTON LECTURES. CHRISTIANITY AND scrpuCSu: coN'


PRIslSG TKEsINtNr o. QuL.uoN, Or bLHAL tklHtiss'


limo. pp. AZ. congregational Publishing Society.


The objections of sCeptical minds TO the pre-
Vang ideas Of religion assume new aspects with the adj
vance Of scientific inquiry and demand an answer in ac
eordance with the progressive intelligence Of the age IL
is not only the criticisms OF confirmed uubclcves that
require be met but the secret difficulties and doubts
that often haunt the imagination OF the faithful and at
last come TO blend with their hsbual current OF thought
To the latter class minds the present volume, we ap
prehend will be peculiarly welcome II is the production
af several OF the admirable inellects among the
New-Engsnd clergy ELIMINATING from the city, which