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diff --git a/old/files/38801-h/38801-h.htm b/old/files/38801-h/38801-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f4c2180 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/files/38801-h/38801-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,11868 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="us-ascii"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en" xml:lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Volume 1 (of 12) by Robert G. Ingersoll + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 1 +(of 12), by Robert G. Ingersoll + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 1 (of 12) + Dresden Edition--Lectures + +Author: Robert G. Ingersoll + +Release Date: February 9, 2012 [EBook #38801] +Last Updated: November 15, 2012 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WORKS OF INGERSOLL *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <a name="title" id="title"></a> + </p> + <h1> + THE WORKS OF ROBERT G. INGERSOLL + </h1> + <h2> + By Robert G. Ingersoll + </h2> + <blockquote> + <p> + "The Destroyer Of Weeds, Thistles And Thorns Is A Benefactor, Whether He + Soweth Grain Or Not." + </p> + </blockquote> + <h3> + IN TWELVE VOLUMES, VOLUME I. + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + LECTURES + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h3> + 1901 + </h3> + <h4> + THE DRESDEN EDITION + </h4> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <p> + TO EVA A. INGERSOLL, MY WIFE, A WOMAN WITHOUT SUPERSTITION, THIS VOLUME<br /> + IS DEDICATED. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD. FOR THE USE OF MAN, + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <table summary="" border="3" cellpadding="4"> + <tbody> + <tr> + <td> + <big><big><a + href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/38801/old/orig38801-h/main.htm">This + file has been formatted in a very plain format for use with tablet + readers. Those wishing to view this eBook in its normal more + appealing format for laptops and other computers may click on this + line to to view the original HTML file.</a></big></big> + </td> + <td></td> + </tr> + </tbody> + </table> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img alt="Titlepage (64K)" src="images/Titlepage.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img alt="Birthplace (64K)" src="images/Birthplace.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img alt="Portrait (62K)" src="images/Portrait.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img alt="Frontispiece (64K)" src="images/Frontispiece.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + Contents + </h2> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkTOC">CONTENTS OF VOLUME I.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0001">PUBLISHER'S PREFACE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0002">THE GODS</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0003">HUMBOLDT.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0004">THOMAS PAINE</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0005">INDIVIDUALITY.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0006">HERETICS AND HERESIES.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0007">THE GHOSTS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0009">THE LIBERTY OF MAN, WOMAN, AND CHILD.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0010">LIBERTY OF WOMAN.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0011">THE LIBERTY OF CHILDREN.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkCONC">CONCLUSION.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0013">ABOUT FARMING IN ILLINOIS</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0014">WHAT MUST WE DO TO BE SAVED?</a> + </p> + <p class="toc2"> + <a href="#link0016">I. WHAT WE MUST DO TO BE SAVED</a> + </p> + <p class="toc2"> + <a href="#link0017">II. THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW</a> + </p> + <p class="toc2"> + <a href="#link0018">III. THE GOSPEL OF MARK</a> + </p> + <p class="toc2"> + <a href="#link0019">IV. THE GOSPEL OF LUKE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc2"> + <a href="#link0020">V. THE GOSPEL OF JOHN</a> + </p> + <p class="toc2"> + <a href="#link0021">VI. THE CATHOLICS</a> + </p> + <p class="toc2"> + <a href="#link0022">VII. THE EPISCOPALIANS</a> + </p> + <p class="toc2"> + <a href="#link0023">VIII. THE METHODISTS</a> + </p> + <p class="toc2"> + <a href="#link0024">IX. THE PRESBYTERIANS</a> + </p> + <p class="toc2"> + <a href="#link0025">X. THE EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc2"> + <a href="#link0026">XI. WHAT DO YOU PROPOSE?</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="linkTOC" id="linkTOC"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + CONTENTS OF VOLUME I. + </h2> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0002">THE GODS.</a> + </p> + <p> + THE GODS.<br /> (1872.)<br /> An Honest God is the Noblest Work of Man—Resemblance + of Gods to<br /> their Creators—Manufacture and Characteristics of + Deities—Their<br /> Amours—Deficient in many Departments of + Knowledge—Pleased with the<br /> Butchery of Unbelievers—A + Plentiful Supply—Visitations—One God's<br /> Laws of War—The + Book called the Bible—Heresy of Universalism—Faith<br /> an + unhappy mixture of Insanity and Ignorance—Fallen Gods, or<br /> + Devils—Directions concerning Human Slavery—The first + Appearance of<br /> the Devil—The Tree of Knowledge—Give me + the Storm and Tempest of<br /> Thought—Gods and Devils Natural + Productions—Personal Appearance<br /> of Deities—All Man's + Ideas suggested by his Surroundings—Phenomena<br /> Supposed to be + Produced by Intelligent Powers—Insanity and Disease<br /> + attributed to Evil Spirits—Origin of the Priesthood—Temptation + of<br /> Christ—Innate Ideas—Divine Interference—Special + Providence—The<br /> Crane and the Fish—Cancer as a proof of + Design—Matter and<br /> Force—Miracle—Passing the Hat + for just one Fact—Sir William Hamilton<br /> on Cause and Effect—The + Phenomena of Mind—Necessity and Free Will—The<br /> Dark Ages—The + Originality of Repetition—Of what Use have the Gods been<br /> to + Man?—Paley and Design—Make Good Health Contagious—Periodicity + of<br /> the Universe and the Commencement of Intellectual Freedom—Lesson + of<br /> the ineffectual attempt to rescue the Tomb of Christ from the<br /> + Mohammedans—The Cemetery of the Gods—Taking away Crutches—Imperial<br /> + Reason<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0003">HUMBOLDT.</a> + </p> + <p> + HUMBOLDT.<br /> (1869.)<br /> The Universe is Governed by Law—The + Self-made Man—Poverty generally<br /> an Advantage—Humboldt's + Birth-place—His desire for Travel—On what<br /> Humboldt's + Fame depends—His Companions and Friends—Investigations<br /> + in the New World—A Picture—Subjects of his Addresses—Victory + of the<br /> Church over Philosophy—Influence of the discovery that + the World is<br /> governed by Law—On the term Law—Copernicus—Astronomy—Aryabhatta—<br /> + Descartes—Condition of the World and Man when the morning of + Science<br /> Dawned—Reasons for Honoring Humboldt—The World + his Monument<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0004">THOMAS PAINE.</a> + </p> + <p> + THOMAS PAINE.<br /> (1870.)<br /> With his Name left out the History of + Liberty cannot be Written—Paine's<br /> Origin and Condition—His + arrival in America with a Letter of<br /> Introduction by Franklin—Condition + of the Colonies—"Common Sense"—A<br /> new Nation Born—Paine + the Best of Political Writers—The "Crisis"—War<br /> not to + the Interest of a trading Nation—Paine's Standing at the Close<br /> + of the Revolution—Close of the Eighteenth Century in France-The<br /> + "Rights of Man"—Paine Prosecuted in England—"The World is my<br /> + Country"—Elected to the French Assembly—Votes against the + Death of<br /> the King—Imprisoned—A look behind the Altar—The + "Age of Reason"—His<br /> Argument against the Bible as a + Revelation—Christianity of Paine's<br /> Day—A Blasphemy Law + in Force in Maryland—The Scotch "Kirk"—Hanging<br /> of + Thomas Aikenhead for Denying the Inspiration of the<br /> Scriptures—"Cathedrals + and Domes, and Chimes and Chants"—Science—"He<br /> Died in + the Land his Genius Defended,"<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0005">INDIVIDUALITY.</a> + </p> + <p> + INDIVIDUALITY.<br /> (1873.)<br /> "His Soul was like a Star and Dwelt + Apart"—Disobedience one of the<br /> Conditions of Progress.—Magellan—The + Monarch and the Hermit-Why<br /> the Church hates a Thinker—The + Argument from Grandeur and<br /> Prosperity-Travelers and Guide-boards—A + Degrading Saying—Theological<br /> Education—Scotts, Henrys + and McKnights—The Church the Great<br /> Robber—Corrupting + the Reason of Children—Monotony of Acquiescence: For<br /> God's + sake, say No—Protestant Intolerance: Luther and Calvin—Assertion<br /> + of Individual Independence a Step toward Infidelity—Salute to<br /> + Jupiter—The Atheistic Bug-Little Religious Liberty in America—God + in<br /> the Constitution, Man Out—Decision of the Supreme Court of + Illinois<br /> that an Unbeliever could not testify in any Court—Dissimulation—Nobody<br /> + in this Bed—The Dignity of a Unit<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0006">HERETICS AND HERESIES.</a> + </p> + <p> + HERETICS AND HERESIES.<br /> (1874.)<br /> Liberty, a Word without which + all other Words are Vain—The Church, the<br /> Bible, and + Persecution—Over the wild Waves of War rose and fell<br /> the + Banner of Jesus Christ—Highest Type of the Orthodox<br /> Christian—Heretics' + Tongues and why they should be Removed before<br /> Burning—The + Inquisition Established—Forms of Torture—Act of Henry<br /> + VIII for abolishing Diversity of Opinion—What a Good Christian was<br /> + Obliged to Believe—The Church has Carried the Black Flag—For + what Men<br /> and Women have been Burned—John Calvin's Advent into + the<br /> World—His Infamous Acts—Michael Servetus—Castalio—Spread + of<br /> Presbyterianism—Indictment of a Presbyterian Minister in + Illinois for<br /> Heresy—Specifications—The Real Bible<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0007">THE GHOSTS.</a> + </p> + <p> + THE GHOSTS.<br /> (1877.)<br /> Dedication to Ebon C. Ingersoll—Preface—Mendacity + of the Religious<br /> Press—"Materialism"—Ways of Pleasing + the Ghosts—The Idea of<br /> Immortality not Born of any Book—Witchcraft + and Demon-ology—Witch<br /> Trial before Sir Matthew Hale—John + Wesley a Firm Believer in<br /> Ghosts—"Witch-spots"—Lycanthropy—Animals + Tried and Convicted—The<br /> Governor of Minnesota and the + Grasshoppers—A Papal Bull against<br /> Witchcraft—Victims of + the Delusion—Sir William Blackstone's<br /> Affirmation—Trials + in Belgium—Incubi and Succubi—A Bishop<br /> Personated by + the Devil—The Doctrine that Diseases are caused by<br /> Ghosts—Treatment—Timothy + Dwight against Vaccination—Ghosts as<br /> Historians—The + Language of Eden—Leibnitz, Founder of the Science<br /> of Language—Cosmas + on Astronomy—Vagaries of Kepler and Tycho<br /> Brahe—Discovery + of Printing, Powder, and America—Thanks to the<br /> Inventors—The + Catholic Murderer and the Meat—Let the Ghosts Go<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0009">THE LIBERTY OF MAN, WOMAN, AND CHILD.</a> + </p> + <p> + THE LIBERTY OF MAN, WOMAN, AND CHILD.<br /> (1877.)<br /> Liberty sustains + the same Relation to Mind that Space does to<br /> Matter—The + History of Man a History of Slavery—The Infidel Our<br /> Fathers + in the good old Time—The iron Arguments that Christians<br /> Used—Instruments + of Torture—A Vision of the Inquisition—Models of<br /> Man's + Inventions—Weapons, Armor, Musical Instruments, Paintings,<br /> + Books, Skulls—The Gentleman in the Dug-out—Homage to Genius + and<br /> Intellect—Abraham Lincoln—What I mean by Liberty—The + Man who cannot<br /> afford to Speak his Thought is a Certificate of the + Meanness of the<br /> Community in which he Resides—Liberty of + Woman—Marriage and the<br /> Family—Ornaments the Souvenirs + of Bondage-The Story of the Garden of<br /> Eden—Adami and Heva—Equality + of the Sexes-The word "Boss"—The Cross<br /> Man-The Stingy Man—Wives + who are Beggars—How to Spend Money—By<br /> the Tomb of the + Old Napoleon—The Woman you Love will never Grow<br /> Old—Liberty + of Children—When your Child tells a Lie—Disowning<br /> + Children—Beating your own Flesh and Blood—Make Home Pleasant—Sunday<br /> + when I was a Boy—The Laugh of a Child—The doctrine of + Eternal<br /> Punishment—Jonathan Edwards on the Happiness of + Believing Husbands<br /> whose Wives are in Hell—The Liberty of + Eating and Sleeping—Water in<br /> Fever—Soil and Climate + necessary to the production of Genius—Against<br /> Annexing Santo + Domingo—Descent of Man—Conclusion<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0013">ABOUT FARMING IN ILLINOIS.</a> + </p> + <p> + ABOUT FARMING IN ILLINOIS.<br /> (1877.)<br /> To Plow is to Pray; to + Plant is to Prophesy, and the Harvest Answers and<br /> Fulfills—The + Old Way of Farming—Cooking an Unknown Art-Houses, Fuel,<br /> and + Crops—The Farmer's Boy—What a Farmer should Sell—Beautifying<br /> + the Home—Advantages of Illinois as a Farming State—Advantages + of the<br /> Farmer over the Mechanic—Farm Life too Lonely-On Early + Rising—Sleep<br /> the Best Doctor—Fashion—Patriotism + and Boarding Houses—The Farmer and<br /> the Railroads—Money + and Confidence—Demonetization of Silver-Area of<br /> Illinois—Mortgages + and Interest—Kindness to Wives and Children—How<br /> a + Beefsteak should be Cooked—Decorations and Comfort—Let the + Children<br /> Sleep—Old Age<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0014">WHAT MUST WE DO TO BE SAVED?</a> + </p> + <p> + WHAT MUST WE DO TO BE SAVED?<br /> (1880.)<br /> Preface—The + Synoptic Gospels—Only Mark Knew of the Necessity of<br /> Belief—Three + Christs Described—The Jewish Gentleman and the Piece of<br /> Bacon—Who + Wrote the New Testament?—Why Christ and the Apostles wrote<br /> + Nothing—Infinite Respect for the Man Christ—Different + Feeling for<br /> the Theological Christ—Saved from What?—Chapter + on the Gospel of<br /> Matthew—What this Gospel says we must do to + be Saved—Jesus and the<br /> Children—John Calvin and + Jonathan Edwards conceived of as Dimpled<br /> Darlings—Christ and + the Man who inquired what Good Thing he should<br /> do that he might + have Eternal Life—Nothing said about Belief—An<br /> + Interpolation—Chapter on the Gospel of Mark—The Believe or + be Damned<br /> Passage, and why it was written—The last + Conversation of Christ with<br /> his Disciples—The Signs that + Follow them that Believe—Chapter on<br /> the Gospel of Luke—Substantial + Agreement with Matthew and Mark—How<br /> Zaccheus achieved + Salvation—The two Thieves on the Cross—Chapter<br /> on the + Gospel of John—The Doctrine of Regeneration, or the New<br /> Birth—Shall + we Love our Enemies while God Damns His?—Chapter on the<br /> + Catholics—Communication with Heaven through Decayed Saints—Nuns + and<br /> Nunneries—Penitentiaries of God should be Investigated—The<br /> + Athanasian Creed expounded—The Trinity and its Members—Chapter + on the<br /> Episcopalians—Origin of the Episcopal Church—Apostolic + Succession<br /> an Imported Article—Episcopal Creed like the + Catholic, with a<br /> few Additional Absurdities—Chapter on the + Methodists—Wesley and<br /> Whitfield—Their Quarrel about + Predestination—Much Preaching for Little<br /> Money—Adapted + to New Countries—Chapter on the Presbyterians—John<br /> + Calvin, Murderer—Meeting between Calvin and Knox—The Infamy + of<br /> Calvinism—Division in the Church—The Young + Presbyterian's Resignation<br /> to the Fate of his Mother—A + Frightful, Hideous, and Hellish<br /> Creed—Chapter on the + Evangelical Alliance—Jeremy Taylor's Opinion of<br /> Baptists—Orthodoxy + not Dead—Creed of the Alliance—Total Depravity,<br /> Eternal + Damnation—What do You Propose?—The Gospel of + Good-fellowship,<br /> Cheerfulness, Health, Good Living, Justice—No + Forgiveness—God's<br /> Forgiveness Does not Pay my Debt to Smith—Gospel + of Liberty, of<br /> Intelligence, of Humanity—One World at a Time—"Upon + that Rock I<br /> Stand"<br /> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <a name="link0001" id="link0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + PUBLISHER'S PREFACE. + </h2> + <p> + IN presenting to the public this edition of the late Robert G. Ingersoll's + works, it has been the aim of the publisher to make it worthy of the + author and a pleasure to his friends and admirers. No one can be more + conscious than he of the magnitude of the task undertaken, or more keenly + feel how far short it must fall of adequate accomplishment. + </p> + <p> + When it is remembered that countless utterances of the author were never + caught from his eloquent lips, it is matter for congratulation that so + much has been preserved. The authorized addresses, arguments and articles + that have already appeared in print and passed the review of the authors + more or less careful inspection, will be readily recognized as accurate + and complete; but in this latest and fullest compilation are many + emanations from his heart and brain that have never had his scrutiny, were + not revised by him, and that yet, by general judgment, should not be lost + to the world. + </p> + <p> + These unedited sundries consist of fragments of speeches and incompleted + articles discovered amongst the authors literary remains and for unknown + reasons left in more or less unfinished form. It has been the publisher's + ambition to gather these fugitive pieces and place them in this edition by + the side of the saved treasures. Whether the work has been well or ill + done a generous public must decide, while the sole responsibility must + rest with, as it has been assumed by, the publisher. + </p> + <p> + In carrying out the design of the present edition, the publisher + gratefully acknowledges the assistance of Mr. Ingersoll's family, who have + freely placed at his disposal many papers, inscriptions, monographs, + memoranda and pages of valuable material. + </p> + <p> + Recognition is also here made of the kind courtesy of the press and of + publishers of magazines who have generously permitted the publication of + articles originally written for them. + </p> + <p> + Finally, the publisher gives his thanks to all the devoted friends of the + author who in many ways, by suggestion and unselfish labor, have aided in + getting out this work. Of these, none have been more unremitting in + service, and to none is the publisher more indebted, than to Mr. I. Newton + Baker, Mr. Ingersoll's former private secretary, to Dr. Edgar C. Beall, + and to Mr. George E. Macdonald for the fine Tables of Contents and the + very valuable Index to this edition. + </p> + <p> + C. P. FARRELL. + </p> + <p> + New York, July, 1900. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0002" id="link0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE GODS + </h2> + <h3> + An Honest God is the Noblest Work of Man. + </h3> + <p> + EACH nation has created a god, and the god has always resembled his + creators. He hated and loved what they hated and loved, and he was + invariably found on the side of those in power. Each god was intensely + patriotic, and detested all nations but his own. All these gods demanded + praise, flattery, and worship. Most of them were pleased with sacrifice, + and the smell of innocent blood has ever been considered a divine perfume. + All these gods have insisted upon having a vast number of priests, and the + priests have always insisted upon being supported by the people, and the + principal business of these priests has been to boast about their god, and + to insist that he could easily vanquish all the other gods put together. + </p> + <p> + These gods have been manufactured after numberless models, and according + to the most grotesque fashions. Some have a thousand arms, some a hundred + heads, some are adorned with necklaces of living snakes, some are armed + with clubs, some with sword and shield, some with bucklers, and some have + wings as a cherub; some were invisible, some would show themselves entire, + and some would only show their backs; some were jealous, some were + foolish, some turned themselves into men, some into swans, some into + bulls, some into doves, and some into Holy Ghosts, and made love to the + beautiful daughters of men. Some were married—all ought to have been—and + some were considered as old bachelors from all eternity. Some had + children, and the children were turned into gods and worshiped as their + fathers had been. Most of these gods were revengeful, savage, lustful, and + ignorant. As they generally depended upon their priests for information, + their ignorance can hardly excite our astonishment. + </p> + <p> + These gods did not even know the shape of the worlds they had created, but + supposed them perfectly flat Some thought the day could be lengthened by + stopping the sun, that the blowing of horns could throw down the walls of + a city, and all knew so little of the real nature of the people they had + created, that they commanded the people to love them. Some were so + ignorant as to suppose that man could believe just as he might desire, or + as they might command, and that to be governed by observation, reason, and + experience was a most foul and damning sin. None of these gods could give + a true account of the creation of this little earth. All were wofully + deficient in geology and astronomy. As a rule, they were most miserable + legislators, and as executives, they were far inferior to the average of + American presidents. + </p> + <p> + These deities have demanded the most abject and degrading obedience. In + order to please them, man must lay his very face in the dust Of course, + they have always been partial to the people who created them, and have + generally shown their partiality by assisting those people to rob and + destroy others, and to ravish their wives and daughters. + </p> + <p> + Nothing is so pleasing to these gods as the butchery of unbelievers. + Nothing so enrages them, even now, as to have some one deny their + existence. + </p> + <p> + Few nations have been so poor as to have but one god. Gods were made so + easily, and the raw material cost so little, that generally the god market + was fairly glutted, and heaven crammed with these phantoms. These gods not + only attended to the skies, but were supposed to interfere in all the + affairs of men. They presided over everybody and everything. They attended + to every department. All was supposed to be under their immediate control. + Nothing was too small—nothing too large; the falling of sparrows and + the motions of the planets were alike attended to by these industrious and + observing deities. From their starry thrones they frequently came to the + earth for the purpose of imparting information to man. It is related of + one that he came amid thunderings and lightnings in order to tell the + people that they should not cook a kid in its mother's milk. Some left + their shining abodes to tell women that they should, or should not, have + children, to inform a priest how to cut and wear his apron, and to give + directions as to the proper manner of cleaning the intestines of a bird. + </p> + <p> + When the people failed to worship one of these gods, or failed to feed and + clothe his priests, (which was much the same thing,) he generally visited + them with pestilence and famine. Sometimes he allowed some other nation to + drag them into slavery—to sell their wives and children; but + generally he glutted his vengeance by murdering their first-born. The + priests always did their whole duty, not only in predicting these + calamities, but in proving, when they did happen, that they were brought + upon the people because they had not given quite enough to them. + </p> + <p> + These gods differed just as the nations differed; the greatest and most + powerful had the most powerful gods, while the weaker ones were obliged to + content themselves with the very off-scourings of the heavens. Each of + these gods promised happiness here and hereafter to all his slaves, and + threatened to eternally punish all who either disbelieved in his existence + or suspected that some other god might be his superior; but to deny the + existence of all gods was, and is, the crime of crimes. Redden your hands + with human blood; blast by slander the fair fame of the innocent; strangle + the smiling child upon its mother's knees; deceive, ruin and desert the + beautiful girl who loves and trusts you, and your case is not hopeless. + For all this, and for all these you may be forgiven. For all this, and for + all these, that bankrupt court established by the gospel, will give you a + discharge; but deny the existence of these divine ghosts, of these gods, + and the sweet and tearful face of Mercy becomes livid with eternal hate. + Heaven's golden gates are shut, and you, with an infinite curse ringing in + your ears, with the brand of infamy upon your brow, commence your endless + wanderings in the lurid gloom of hell—an immortal vagrant—an + eternal outcast—a deathless convict. + </p> + <p> + One of these gods, and one who demands our love, our admiration and our + worship, and one who is worshiped, if mere heartless ceremony is worship, + gave to his chosen people for their guidance, the following laws of war: + "When thou comest nigh unto a city to fight against it, <i>then proclaim + peace unto it</i>. And it shall be if it make thee answer of peace, and + open unto thee, then it shall be that all the people that is found therein + shall be tributaries unto thee, and they shall serve thee. And if it will + make no peace with thee, but will make war against thee, then thou shalt + besiege it. + </p> + <p> + "And when the Lord thy God hath delivered it into thy hands, thou shalt + smite every male thereof with the edge of the sword. But the women and the + little ones, and the cattle, and all that is in the city, even all the + spoil thereof, shalt thou take unto thyself, and thou shalt eat the spoil + of thine enemies which the Lord thy God hath given thee. Thus shalt thou + do unto all the cities which are very far off from thee, which are not of + the cities of these nations. But of the cities of these people which the + Lord thy God doth give thee for an inheritance, <i>thou shalt save alive + nothing that breatheth</i>" + </p> + <p> + Is it possible for man to conceive of anything more perfectly infamous? + Can you believe that such directions were given by any being except an + infinite fiend? Remember that the army receiving these instructions was + one of invasion. Peace was offered upon condition that the people + submitting should be the slaves of the invader; but if any should have the + courage to defend their homes, to fight for the love of wife and child, + then the sword was to spare none—not even the prattling, dimpled + babe. + </p> + <p> + And we are called upon to worship such a God; to get upon our knees and + tell him that he is good, that he is merciful, that he is just, that he is + love. We are asked to stifle every noble sentiment of the soul, and to + trample under foot all the sweet charities of the heart. Because we refuse + to stultify ourselves—refuse to become liars—we are denounced, + hated, traduced and ostracized here, and this same god threatens to + torment us in eternal fire the moment death allows him to fiercely clutch + our naked helpless souls. Let the people hate, let the god threaten—we + will educate them, and we will despise and defy him. + </p> + <p> + The book, called the Bible, is filled with passages equally horrible, + unjust and atrocious. This is the book to be read in schools in order to + make our children loving, kind and gentle! This is the book to be + recognized in our Constitution as the source of all authority and justice! + </p> + <p> + Strange! that no one has ever been persecuted by the church for believing + God bad, while hundreds of millions have been destroyed for thinking him + good. The orthodox church never will forgive the Universalist for saying + "God is love." It has always been considered as one of the very highest + evidences of true and undefiled religion to insist that all men, women and + children deserve eternal damnation. It has always been heresy to say, "God + will at last save all." + </p> + <p> + We are asked to justify these frightful passages, these infamous laws of + war, because the Bible is the word of God. As a matter of fact, there + never was, and there never can be, an argument, even tending to prove the + inspiration of any book whatever. In the absence of positive evidence, + analogy and experience, argument is simply impossible, and at the very + best, can amount only to a useless agitation of the air. + </p> + <p> + The instant we admit that a book is too sacred to be doubted, or even + reasoned about, we are mental serfs. It is infinitely absurd to suppose + that a god would address a communication to intelligent beings, and yet + make it a crime, to be punished in eternal flames, for them to use their + intelligence for the purpose of understanding his communication. If we + have the right to use our reason, we certainly have the right to act in + accordance with it, and no god can have the right to punish us for such + action. + </p> + <p> + The doctrine that future happiness depends upon belief is monstrous. It is + the infamy of infamies. The notion that faith in Christ is to be rewarded + by an eternity of bliss, while a dependence upon reason, observation, and + experience merits everlasting pain, is too absurd for refutation, and can + be relieved only by that unhappy mixture of insanity and ignorance, called + "faith." What man, who ever thinks, can believe that blood can appease + God? And yet, our entire system of religion is based upon that belief. The + Jews pacified Jehovah with the blood of animals, and according to the + Christian system, the blood of Jesus softened the heart of God a little, + and rendered possible the salvation of a fortunate few. It is hard to + conceive how the human mind can give assent to such terrible ideas, or how + any sane man can read the Bible and still believe in the doctrine of + inspiration. + </p> + <p> + Whether the Bible is true or false, is of no consequence in comparison + with the mental freedom of the race. + </p> + <p> + Salvation through slavery is worthless. Salvation from slavery is + inestimable. + </p> + <p> + As long as man believes the Bible to be infallible, that book is his + master. The civilization of this century is not the child of faith, but of + unbelief—the result of free thought. + </p> + <p> + All that is necessary, as it seems to me, to convince any reasonable + person that the Bible is simply and purely of human invention—of + barbarian invention—is to read it Read it as you would any other + book; think of it as you would of any other; get the bandage of reverence + from your eyes; drive from your heart the phantom of fear; push from the + throne of your brain the cowled form of superstition—then read the + Holy Bible, and you will be amazed that you ever, for one moment, supposed + a being of infinite wisdom, goodness and purity, to be the author of such + ignorance and of such atrocity. + </p> + <p> + Our ancestors not only had their god-factories, but they made devils as + well. These devils were generally disgraced and fallen gods. Some had + headed unsuccessful revolts; some had been caught sweetly reclining in the + shadowy folds of some fleecy cloud, kissing the wife of the god of gods. + These devils generally sympathized with man. There is in regard to them a + most wonderful fact: In nearly all the theologies, mythologies and + religions, the devils have been much more humane and merciful than the + gods. No devil ever gave one of his generals an order to kill children and + to rip open the bodies of pregnant women. Such barbarities were always + ordered by the good gods. The pestilences were sent by the most merciful + gods. The frightful famine, during which the dying child with pallid lips + sucked the withered bosom of a dead mother, was sent by the loving gods. + No devil was ever charged with such fiendish brutality. + </p> + <p> + One of these gods, according to the account, drowned an entire world, with + the exception of eight persons. The old, the young, the beautiful and the + helpless were remorsely devoured by the shoreless sea. This, the most + fearful tragedy that the imagination of ignorant priests ever conceived, + was the act, not of a devil, but of a god, so-called, whom men ignorantly + worship unto this day. What a stain such an act would leave upon the + character of a devil! One of the prophets of one of these gods, having in + his power a captured king, hewed him in pieces in the sight of all the + people. Was ever any imp of any devil guilty of such savagery? + </p> + <p> + One of these gods is reported to have given the following directions + concerning human slavery: "If thou buy a Hebrew servant, six years shall + he serve, and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing. If he came + in by himself, he shall go out by himself; if he were married, then his + wife shall go out with him. If his master have given him a wife, and she + have borne him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall be her + master's, and he shall go out by himself. And if the servant shall plainly + say, I love my master, my wife and my children; I will not go out free. + Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him + unto the door, or unto the door-post; and his master shall bore his ear + through with an awl; and he shall serve him forever." + </p> + <p> + According to this, a man was given liberty upon condition that he would + desert forever his wife and children. Did any devil ever force upon a + husband, upon a father, so cruel and so heartless an alternative? Who can + worship such a god? Who can bend the knee to such a monster? Who can pray + to such a fiend? + </p> + <p> + All these gods threatened to torment forever the souls of their enemies. + Did any devil ever make so infamous a threat? The basest thing recorded of + the devil, is what he did concerning Job and his family, and that was done + by the express permission of one of these gods, and to decide a little + difference of opinion between their serene highnesses as to the character + of "my servant Job." The first account we have of the devil is found in + that purely scientific book called Genesis, and is as follows: "Now the + serpent was more subtile than any beast of the field which the Lord God + had made, and he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat + of the fruit of the trees of the garden? And the woman said unto the + serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden; but of the + fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden God hath said, Ye + shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the + serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die. For God doth know + that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened and ye + shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. And when the woman saw that the + tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree + to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof and did eat, + and gave also unto her husband with her, and he did eat.... And the Lord + God said, Behold the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil; + and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life and + eat, and live forever. Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the + Garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken. So he drove out + the man, and he placed at the east of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a + flaming sword, which turned every way to keep the way of the tree of + life." + </p> + <p> + According to this account the promise of the devil was fulfilled to the + very letter. Adam and Eve did not die, and they did become as gods, + knowing good and evil. + </p> + <p> + The account shows, however, that the gods dreaded education and knowledge + then just as they do now. The church still faithfully guards the dangerous + tree of knowledge, and has exerted in all ages her utmost power to keep + mankind from eating the fruit thereof. The priests have never ceased + repeating the old falsehood and the old threat: "Ye shall not eat of it, + neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die." From every pulpit comes the same + cry, born of the same fear: "Lest they eat and become as gods, knowing + good and evil." For this reason, religion hates science, faith detests + reason, theology is the sworn enemy of philosophy, and the church with its + flaming sword still guards the hated tree, and like its supposed founder, + curses to the lowest depths the brave thinkers who eat and become as gods. + </p> + <p> + If the account given in Genesis is really true, ought we not, after all, + to thank this serpent? He was the first schoolmaster, the first advocate + of learning, the first enemy of ignorance, the first to whisper in human + ears the sacred word liberty, the creator of ambition, the author of + modesty, of inquiry, of doubt, of investigation, of progress and of + civilization. + </p> + <p> + Give me the storm and tempest of thought and action, rather than the dead + calm of ignorance and faith! Banish me from Eden when you will; but first + let me eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge! + </p> + <p> + Some nations have borrowed their gods; of this number, we are compelled to + say, is our own. The Jews having ceased to exist as a nation, and having + no further use for a god, our ancestors appropriated him and adopted their + devil at the same time. This borrowed god is still an object of some + adoration, and this adopted devil still excites the apprehensions of our + people. He is still supposed to be setting his traps and snares for the + purpose of catching our unwary souls, and is still, with reasonable + success, waging the old war against our God. + </p> + <p> + To me, it seems easy to account for these ideas concerning gods and + devils. They are a perfectly natural production. Man has created them all, + and under the same circumstances would create them again. Man has not only + created all these gods, but he has created them out of the materials by + which he has been surrounded. Generally he has modeled them after himself, + and has given them hands, heads, feet, eyes, ears, and organs of speech. + Each nation made its gods and devils speak its language not only, but put + in their mouths the same mistakes in history, geography, astronomy, and in + all matters of fact, generally made by the people. No god was ever in + advance of the nation that created him. The negroes represented their + deities with black skins and curly hair. The Mongolian gave to his a + yellow complexion and dark almond-shaped eyes. The Jews were not allowed + to paint theirs, or we should have seen Jehovah with a full beard, an oval + face, and an aquiline nose. Zeus was a perfect Greek, and Jove looked as + though a member of the Roman senate. The gods of Egypt had the patient + face and placid look of the loving people who made them. The gods of + northern countries were represented warmly clad in robes of fur; those of + the tropics were naked. The gods of India were often mounted upon + elephants; those of some islanders were great swimmers, and the deities of + the Arctic zone were passionately fond of whale's blubber. Nearly all + people have carved or painted representations of their gods, and these + representations were, by the lower classes, generally treated as the real + gods, and to these images and idols they addressed prayers and offered + sacrifice. + </p> + <p> + In some countries? even at this day, if the people after long praying do + not obtain their desires, they turn their images off as impotent gods, or + upbraid them in a most reproachful manner, loading them with blows and + curses. 'How now, dog of a spirit,' they say, 'we give you lodging in a + magnificent temple, we gild you with gold, feed you with the choicest + food, and offer incense to you; yet, after all this care, you are so + ungrateful as to refuse us what we ask.' + </p> + <p> + Hereupon they will pull the god down and drag him through the filth of the + street. If, in the meantime, it happens that they obtain their request, + then, with a great deal of ceremony, they wash him clean, carry him back + and place him in his temple again, where they fall down and make excuses + for what they have done. 'Of a truth,' they say, 'we were a little too + hasty, and you were a little too long in your grant. Why should you bring + this beating on yourself. But what is done cannot be undone. Let us not + think of it any more. If you will forget what is past, we will gild you + over brighter again than before. + </p> + <p> + Man has never been at a loss for gods. He has worshiped almost everything, + including the vilest and most disgusting beasts. He has worshiped fire, + earth, air, water, light, stars, and for hundreds of ages prostrated + himself before enormous snakes. Savage tribes often make gods of articles + they get from civilized people. The Todas worship a cow-bell. The Kotas + worship two silver plates, which they regard as husband and wife, and + another tribe manufactured a god out of a king of hearts. + </p> + <p> + Man, having always been the physical superior of woman, accounts for the + fact that most of the high gods have been males. Had woman been the + physical superior, the powers supposed to be the rulers of Nature would + have been women, and instead of being represented in the apparel of man, + they would have luxuriated in trains, lownecked dresses, laces and + back-hair. + </p> + <p> + Nothing can be plainer than that each nation gives to its god its peculiar + characteristics, and that every individual gives to his god his personal + peculiarities. + </p> + <p> + Man has no ideas, and can have none, except those suggested by his + surroundings. He cannot conceive of anything utterly unlike what he has + seen or felt. He can exaggerate, diminish, combine, separate, deform, + beautify, improve, multiply and compare what he sees, what he feels, what + he hears, and all of which he takes cognizance through the medium of the + senses; but he cannot create. Having seen exhibitions of power, he can + say, omnipotent. Having lived, he can say, immortality. Knowing something + of time, he can say, eternity. Conceiving something of intelligence, he + can say, God. Having seen exhibitions of malice, he can say, devil. A few + gleams of happiness having fallen athwart the gloom of his life, he can + say, heaven. Pain, in its numberless forms, having been experienced, he + can say, hell. Yet all these ideas have a foundation in fact, and only a + foundation. The superstructure has been reared by exaggerating, + diminishing, combining, separating, deforming, beautifying, improving or + multiplying realities, so that the edifice or fabric is but the + incongruous grouping of what man has perceived through the medium of the + senses. It is as though we should give to a lion the wings of an eagle, + the hoofs of a bison, the tail of a horse, the pouch of a kangaroo, and + the trunk of an elephant. We have in imagination created an impossible + monster. And yet the various parts of this monster really exist So it is + with all the gods that man has made. + </p> + <p> + Beyond nature man cannot go even in thought—above nature he cannot + rise—below nature he cannot fall. + </p> + <p> + Man, in his ignorance, supposed that all phenomena were produced by some + intelligent powers, and with direct reference to him. To preserve friendly + relations with these powers was, and still is, the object of all + religions. Man knelt through fear and to implore assistance, or through + gratitude for some favor which he supposed had been rendered. He + endeavored by supplication to appease some being who, for some reason, + had, as he believed, become enraged. The lightning and thunder terrified + him. In the presence of the volcano he sank upon his knees. The great + forests filled with wild and ferocious beasts, the monstrous serpents + crawling in mysterious depths, the boundless sea, the flaming comets, the + sinister eclipses, the awful calmness of the stars, and, more than all, + the perpetual presence of death, convinced him that he was the sport and + prey of unseen and malignant powers. The strange and frightful diseases to + which he was subject, the freezings and burnings of fever, the contortions + of epilepsy, the sudden palsies, the darkness of night, and the wild, + terrible and fantastic dreams that filled his brain, satisfied him that he + was haunted and pursued by countless spirits of evil. For some reason he + supposed that these spirits differed in power—that they were not all + alike malevolent—that the higher controlled the lower, and that his + very existence depended upon gaining the assistance of the more powerful. + For this purpose he resorted to prayer, to flattery, to worship and to + sacrifice. + </p> + <p> + These ideas appear to have been almost universal in savage man. + </p> + <p> + For ages all nations supposed that the sick and insane were possessed by + evil spirits. For thousands of years the practice of medicine consisted in + frightening these spirits away. Usually the priests would make the loudest + and most discordant noises possible. They would blow horns, beat upon rude + drums, clash cymbals, and in the meantime utter the most unearthly yells. + If the noise-remedy failed, they would implore the aid of some more + powerful spirit. + </p> + <p> + To pacify these spirits was considered of infinite importance. The poor + barbarian, knowing that men could be softened by gifts, gave to these + spirits that which to him seemed of the most value. With bursting heart he + would offer the blood of his dearest child. It was impossible for him to + conceive of a god utterly unlike himself, and he naturally supposed that + these powers of the air would be affected a little at the sight of so + great and so deep a sorrow. It was with the barbarian then as with the + civilized now—one class lived upon and made merchandise of the fears + of another. Certain persons took it upon themselves to appease the gods, + and to instruct the people in their duties to these unseen powers. This + was the origin of the priesthood. The priest pretended to stand between + the wrath of the gods and the helplessness of man. He was man's attorney + at the court of heaven. He carried to the invisible world a flag of truce, + a protest and a request. He came back with a command, with authority and + with power. Man fell upon his knees before his own servant, and the + priest, taking advantage of the awe inspired by his supposed influence + with the gods, made of his fellow-man a cringing hypocrite and slave. Even + Christ, the supposed son of God, taught that persons were possessed of + evil spirits, and frequently, according to the account, gave proof of his + divine origin and mission by frightening droves of devils out of his + unfortunate countrymen. Casting out devils was his principal employment, + and the devils thus banished generally took occasion to acknowledge him as + the true Messiah; which was not only very kind of them, but quite + fortunate for him. The religious people have always regarded the testimony + of these devils as perfectly conclusive, and the writers of the New + Testament quote the words of these imps of darkness with great + satisfaction. + </p> + <p> + The fact that Christ could withstand the temptations of the devil was + considered as conclusive evidence that he was assisted by some god, or at + least by some being superior to man. St. Matthew gives an account of an + attempt made by the devil to tempt the supposed son of God; and it has + always excited the wonder of Christians that the temptation was so nobly + and heroically withstood. The account to which I refer is as follows: + </p> + <p> + "Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of + the devil. And when the tempter came to him, he said: 'If thou be the son + of God, command that these stones be made bread.' But he answered, and + said: 'It is written: man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word + that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.' Then the devil taketh him up + into the holy city and setteth him upon a pinnacle of the temple and saith + unto him: 'If thou be the son of God, cast thyself down; for it is + written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee, lest at any time + thou shalt dash thy foot against a stone,'Jesus said unto him: 'It is + written again, thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.' Again the devil + taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain and sheweth him all the + kingdoms of the world and the glory of them, and saith unto him: 'All + these will I give thee if thou wilt fall down and worship me.'" + </p> + <p> + The Christians now claim that Jesus was God. If he was God, of course the + devil knew that fact, and yet, according to this account, the devil took + 'the omnipotent God and placed him upon a pinnacle of the temple, and + endeavored to induce him to dash himself against the earth. Failing in + that, he took the creator, owner and governor of the universe up into an + exceeding high mountain, and offered him this world—this grain of + sand—if he, the God of all the worlds, would fall down and worship + him, a poor devil, without even a tax title to one foot of dirt! Is it + possible the devil was such an idiot? Should any great credit be given to + this deity for not being caught with such chaff? Think of it! The devil—the + prince of sharpers—the king of cunning—the master of finesse, + trying to bribe God with a grain of sand that belonged to God! + </p> + <p> + Is there in all the religious literature of the world anything more + grossly absurd than this? + </p> + <p> + These devils, according to the Bible, were of various kinds—some + could speak and hear, others were deaf and dumb. All could not be cast out + in the same way. The deaf and dumb spirits were quite difficult to deal + with. St. Mark tells of a gentleman who brought his son to Christ. The + boy, it seems, was possessed of a dumb spirit, over which the disciples + had no control. "Jesus said unto the spirit: 'Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I + charge thee come out of him, and enter no more into him.'" Whereupon, the + deaf spirit (having heard what was said) cried out (being dumb) and + immediately vacated the premises. The ease with which Christ controlled + this deaf and dumb spirit excited the wonder of his disciples, and they + asked him privately why they could not cast that spirit out. To whom he + replied: "This kind can come forth by nothing but prayer and fasting." Is + there a Christian in the whole world who would believe such a story if + found in any other book? The trouble is, these pious people shut up their + reason, and then open their Bible. + </p> + <p> + In the olden times the existence of devils was universally admitted. The + people had no doubt upon that subject, and from such belief it followed as + a matter of course, that a person, in order to vanquish these devils, had + either to be a god, or to be assisted by one. All founders of religions + have established their claims to divine origin by controlling evil spirits + and suspending the laws of nature. Casting out devils was a certificate of + divinity. A prophet, unable to cope with the powers of darkness was + regarded with contempt The utterance of the highest and noblest + sentiments, the most blameless and holy life, commanded but little + respect, unless accompanied by power to work miracles and command spirits. + </p> + <p> + This belief in good and evil powers had its origin in the fact that man + was surrounded by what he was pleased to call good and evil phenomena. + Phenomena affecting man pleasantly were ascribed to good spirits, while + those affecting him unpleasantly or injuriously, were ascribed to evil + spirits. It being admitted that all phenomena were produced by spirits, + the spirits were divided according to the phenomena, and the phenomena + were good or bad as they affected man. + </p> + <p> + Good spirits were supposed to be the authors of good phenomena, and evil + spirits of the evil—so that the idea of a devil has been as + universal as the idea of a god. + </p> + <p> + Many writers maintain that an idea to become universal must be true; that + all universal ideas are innate, and that innate ideas cannot be false. If + the fact that an idea has been universal proves that it is innate, and if + the fact that an idea is innate proves that it is correct, then the + believers in innate ideas must admit that the evidence of a god superior + to nature, and of a devil superior to nature, is exactly the same, and + that the existence of such a devil must be as self-evident as the + existence of such a god. The truth is, a god was inferred from good, and a + devil from bad, phenomena. And it is just as natural and logical to + suppose that a devil would cause happiness as to suppose that a god would + produce misery. Consequently, if an intelligence, infinite and supreme, is + the immediate author of all phenomena, it is difficult to determine + whether such intelligence is the friend or enemy of man. If phenomena were + all good, we might say they were all produced by a perfectly beneficent + being. If they were all bad, we might say they were produced by a + perfectly malevolent power; but, as phenomena are, as they affect man, + both good and bad, they must be produced by different and antagonistic + spirits; by one who is sometimes actuated by kindness, and sometimes by + malice; or all must be produced of necessity, and without reference to + their consequences upon man. + </p> + <p> + The foolish doctrine that all phenomena can be traced to the interference + of good and evil spirits, has been, and still is, almost universal. That + most people still believe in some spirit that can change the natural order + of events, is proven by the fact that nearly all resort to prayer. + Thousands, at this very moment, are probably imploring some supposed power + to interfere in their behalf. Some want health restored; some ask that the + loved and absent be watched over and protected, some pray for riches, some + for rain, some want diseases stayed, some vainly ask for food, some ask + for revivals, a few ask for more wisdom, and now and then one tells the + Lord to do as he may think best. Thousands ask to be protected from the + devil; some, like David, pray for revenge, and some implore even God, not + to lead them into temptation. All these prayers rest upon, and are + produced by, the idea that some power not only can, but probably will, + change the order of the universe. This belief has been among the great + majority of tribes and nations. All sacred books are filled with the + accounts of such interferences, and our own Bible is no exception to this + rule. + </p> + <p> + If we believe in a power superior to nature, it is perfectly natural to + suppose that such power can and will interfere in the affairs of this + world. If there is no interference, of what practical use can such power + be? The Scriptures give us the most wonderful accounts of divine + interference: Animals talk like men; springs gurgle from dry bones; the + sun and moon stop in the heavens in order that General Joshua may have + more time to murder; the shadow on a dial goes back ten degrees to + convince a petty king of a barbarous people that he is not going to die of + a boil; fire refuses to burn; water positively declines to seek its level, + but stands up like a wall; grains of sand become lice; common + walking-sticks, to gratify a mere freak, twist themselves into serpents, + and then swallow each other by way of exercise; murmuring streams, + laughing at the attraction of gravitation, run up hill for years, + following wandering tribes from a pure love of frolic; prophecy becomes + altogether easier than history; the sons of God become enamored of the + world's girls; women are changed into salt for the purpose of keeping a + great event fresh in the minds of men; an excellent article of brimstone + is imported from heaven free of duty; clothes refuse to wear out for forty + years; birds keep restaurants and feed wandering prophets free of expense; + bears tear children in pieces for laughing at old men without wigs; + muscular development depends upon the length of one's hair; dead people + come to life, simply to get a joke on their enemies and heirs; witches and + wizards converse freely with the souls of the departed, and God himself + becomes a stone-cutter and engraver, after having been a tailor and + dressmaker. + </p> + <p> + The veil between heaven and earth was always rent or lifted. The shadows + of this world, the radiance of heaven, and the glare of hell mixed and + mingled until man became uncertain as to which country he really + inhabited. Man dwelt in an unreal world. He mistook his ideas, his dreams, + for real things. His fears became terrible and malicious monsters. He + lived in the midst of furies and fairies, nymphs and naiads, goblins and + ghosts, witches and wizards, sprites and spooks, deities and devils. The + obscure and gloomy depths were filled with claw and wing—with beak + and hoof—with leering looks and sneering mouths—with the + malice of deformity—with the cunning of hatred, and with all the + slimy forms that fear can draw and paint upon the shadowy canvas of the + dark. + </p> + <p> + It is enough to make one almost insane with pity to think what man in the + long night has suffered; of the tortures he has endured, surrounded, as he + supposed, by malignant powers and clutched by the fierce phantoms of the + air. No wonder that he fell upon his trembling knees—that he built + altars and reddened them even with his own blood. No wonder that he + implored ignorant priests and impudent magicians for aid. No wonder that + he crawled groveling in the dust to the temple's door, and there, in the + insanity of despair, besought the deaf gods to hear his bitter cry of + agony and fear. + </p> + <p> + The savage as he emerges from a state of barbarism, gradually loses faith + in his idols of wood and stone, and in their place puts a multitude of + spirits. As he advances in knowledge, he generally discards the petty + spirits, and in their stead believes in one, whom he supposes to be + infinite and supreme. Supposing this great spirit to be superior to + nature, he offers worship or flattery in exchange for assistance. At last, + finding that he obtains no aid from this supposed deity—: finding + that every search after the absolute must of necessity end in failure—finding + that man cannot by any possibility conceive of the conditionless—he + begins to investigate the facts by which he is surrounded, and to depend + upon himself. + </p> + <p> + The people are beginning to think, to reason and to investigate. Slowly, + painfully, but surely, the gods are being driven from the earth. Only upon + rare occasions are they, even by the most religious, supposed to interfere + in the affairs of men. In most matters we are at last supposed to be free. + Since the invention of steamships and railways, so that the products of + all countries can be easily interchanged, the gods have quit the business + of producing famine. Now and then they kill a child because it is idolized + by its parents. As a rule they have given up causing accidents on + railroads, exploding boilers, and bursting kerosene lamps. Cholera, yellow + fever, and small-pox are still considered heavenly weapons; but measles, + itch and ague are now attributed to natural causes. As a general thing, + the gods have stopped drowning children, except as a punishment for + violating the Sabbath. They still pay some attention to the affairs of + kings, men of genius and persons of great wealth; but ordinary people are + left to shirk for themselves as best they may. In wars between great + nations, the gods still interfere; but in prize fights, the best man with + an honest referee, is almost sure to win. + </p> + <p> + The church cannot abandon the idea of special providence. To give up that + doctrine is to give up all. The church must insist that prayer is answered—that + some power superior to nature hears and grants the request of the sincere + and humble Christian, and that this same power in some mysterious way + provides for all. + </p> + <p> + A devout clergyman sought every opportunity to impress upon the mind of + his son the fact, that God takes care of all his creatures; that the + falling sparrow attracts his attention, and that his loving kindness is + over all his works. Happening, one day, to see a crane wading in quest of + food, the good man pointed out to his son the perfect adaptation of the + crane to get his living in that manner. "See," said he, "how his legs are + formed for wading! What a long slender bill he has! Observe how nicely he + folds his feet when putting them in or drawing them out of the water! He + does not cause the slightest ripple. He is thus enabled to approach the + fish without giving them any notice of his arrival." "My son," said he, + "it is impossible to look at that bird without recognizing the design, as + well as the goodness of God, in thus providing the means of subsistence." + "Yes," replied the boy, "I think I see the goodness of God, at least so + far as the crane is concerned; but after all, father, don't you think the + arrangement a little tough on the fish?" + </p> + <p> + Even the advanced religionist, although disbelieving in any great amount + of interference by the gods in this age of the world, still thinks, that + in the beginning, some god made the laws governing the universe. He + believes that in consequence of these laws a man can lift a greater weight + with, than without, a lever; that this god so made matter, and so + established the order of things, that two bodies cannot occupy the same + space at the same time; so that a body once put in motion will keep moving + until it is stopped; so that it is a greater distance around, than across + a circle; so that a perfect square has four equal sides, instead of five + or seven. He insists that it took a direct interposition of Providence to + make the whole greater than a part, and that had it not been for this + power superior to nature, twice one might have been more than twice two, + and sticks and strings might have had only one end apiece. Like the old + Scotch divine, he thanks God that Sunday comes at the end instead of in + the middle of the week, and that death comes at the close instead of at + the commencement of life, thereby giving us time to prepare for that holy + day and that most solemn event These religious people see nothing but + design everywhere, and personal, intelligent interference in everything. + They insist that the universe has been created, and that the adaptation of + means to ends is perfectly apparent. They point us to the sunshine, to the + flowers, to the April rain, and to all there is of beauty and of use in + the world. Did it ever occur to them that a cancer is as beautiful in its + development as is the reddest rose? That what they are pleased to call the + adaptation of means to ends, is as apparent in the cancer as in the April + rain? How beautiful the process of digestion! By what ingenious methods + the blood is poisoned so that the cancer shall have food! By what + wonderful contrivances the entire system of man is made to pay tribute to + this divine and charming cancer! See by what admirable instrumentalities + it feeds itself from the surrounding quivering, dainty flesh! See how it + gradually but surely expands and grows! By what marvelous mechanism it is + supplied with long and slender roots that reach out to the most secret + nerves of pain for sustenance and life! What beautiful colors it presents! + Seen through the microscope it is a miracle of order and beauty. All the + ingenuity of man cannot stop its growth. Think of the amount of thought it + must have required to invent a way by which the life of one man might be + given to produce one cancer? Is it possible to look upon it and doubt that + there is design in the universe, and that the inventor of this wonderful + cancer must be infinitely powerful, ingenious and good? + </p> + <p> + We are told that the universe was designed and created, and that it is + absurd to suppose that matter has existed from eternity, but that it is + perfectly self-evident that a god has. + </p> + <p> + If a god created the universe, then, there must have been a time when he + commenced to create. Back of that time there must have been an eternity, + during which there had existed nothing—absolutely nothing—except + this supposed god. According to this theory, this god spent an eternity, + so to speak, in an infinite vacuum, and in perfect idleness. + </p> + <p> + Admitting that a god did create the universe, the question then arises, of + what did he create it? It certainly was not made of nothing. Nothing, + considered in the light of a raw material, is a most decided failure. It + follows, then, that the god must have made the universe out of himself, he + being the only existence. The universe is material, and if it was made of + god, the god must have been material. With this very thought in his mind, + Anaximander of Miletus said: "Creation is the decomposition of the + infinite." + </p> + <p> + It has been demonstrated that the earth would fall to the sun, only for + the fact, that it is attracted by other worlds, and those worlds must be + attracted by other worlds still beyond them, and so on, without end. This + proves the material universe to be infinite. If an infinite universe has + been made out of an infinite god, how much of the god is left? + </p> + <p> + The idea of a creative deity is gradually being abandoned, and nearly all + truly scientific minds admit that matter must have existed from eternity. + It is indestructible, and the indestructible cannot be created. It is the + crowning glory of our century to have demonstrated the indestructibility + and the eternal persistence of force. Neither matter nor force can be + increased nor diminished. Force cannot exist apart from matter. Matter + exists only in connection with force, and consequently, a force apart from + matter, and superior to nature, is a demonstrated impossibility. + </p> + <p> + Force, then, must have also existed from eternity, and could not have been + created. Matter in its countless forms, from dead earth to the eyes of + those we love, and force, in all its manifestations, from simple motion to + the grandest thought, deny creation and defy control. + </p> + <p> + Thought is a form of force. We walk with the same force with which we + think. Man is an organism, that changes several forms of force into + thought-force. Man is a machine into which we put what we call food, and + produce what we call thought. Think of that wonderful chemistry by which + bread was changed into the divine tragedy of Hamlet! + </p> + <p> + A god must not only be material, but he must be an organism, capable of + changing other forms of force into thought-force. This is what we call + eating. Therefore, if the god thinks, he must eat, that is to say, he must + of necessity have some means of supplying the force with which to think. + It is impossible to conceive of a being who can eternally impart force to + matter, and yet have no means of supplying the force thus imparted. + </p> + <p> + If neither matter nor force were created, what evidence have we, then, of + the existence of a power superior to nature? The theologian will probably + reply, "We have law and order, cause and effect, and beside all this, + matter could not have put itself in motion." + </p> + <p> + Suppose, for the sake of the argument, that there is no being superior to + nature, and that matter and force have existed from eternity. Now, suppose + that two atoms should come together, would there be an effect? Yes. + Suppose they came in exactly opposite directions with equal force, they + would be stopped, to say the least. This would be an effect. If this is + so, then you have matter, force and effect without a being superior to + nature. Now, suppose that two other atoms, just like the first two, should + come together under precisely the same circumstances, would not the effect + be exactly the same? Yes. Like causes, producing like effects, is what we + mean by law and order. Then we have matter, force, effect, law and order + without a being superior to nature. Now, we know that every effect must + also be a cause, and that every cause must be an effect. The atoms coming + together did produce an effect, and as every effect must also be a cause, + the effect produced by the collision of the atoms, must as to something + else have been a cause. Then we have matter, force, law, order, cause and + effect without a being superior to nature. Nothing is left for the + supernatural but empty space. His throne is a void, and his boasted realm + is without matter, without force, without law, without cause, and without + effect. + </p> + <p> + But what put all this matter in motion? If matter and force have existed + from eternity, then matter must have always been in motion. There can be + no force without motion. Force is forever active, and there is, and there + can be no cessation. If, therefore, matter and force have existed from + eternity, so has motion. In the whole universe there is not even one atom + in a state of rest. + </p> + <p> + A deity outside of nature exists in nothing, and is nothing. Nature + embraces with infinite arms all matter and all force. That which is beyond + her grasp is destitute of both, and can hardly be worth the worship and + adoration even of a man. + </p> + <p> + There is but one way to demonstrate the existence of a power independent + of and superior to nature, and that is by breaking, if only for one + moment, the continuity of cause and effect Pluck from the endless chain of + existence one little link; stop for one instant the grand procession, and + you have shown beyond all contradiction that nature has a master. Change + the fact, just for one second, that matter attracts matter, and a god + appears. + </p> + <p> + The rudest savage has always known this fact, and for that reason always + demanded the evidence of miracle. The founder of a religion must be able + to turn water into wine—cure with a word the blind and lame, and + raise with a simple touch the dead to life. It was necessary for him to + demonstrate to the satisfaction of his barbarian disciple, that he was + superior to nature. In times of ignorance this was easy to do. The + credulity of the savage was almost boundless. To him the marvelous was the + beautiful, the mysterious was the sublime. Consequently, every religion + has for its foundation a miracle—that is to say, a violation of + nature—that is to say, a falsehood. + </p> + <p> + No one, in the world's whole history, ever attempted to substantiate a + truth by a miracle. Truth scorns the assistance of miracle. Nothing but + falsehood ever attested itself by signs and wonders. No miracle ever was + performed, and no sane man ever thought he had performed one, and until + one is performed, there can be no evidence of the existence of any power + superior to and independent of nature. + </p> + <p> + The church wishes us to believe. Let the church, or one of its + intellectual saints, perform a miracle, and we will believe. We are told + that nature has a superior. Let this superior, for one single instant, + control nature, and we will admit the truth of your assertions. + </p> + <p> + We have heard talk enough. We have listened to all the drowsy, idealess, + vapid sermons that we wish to hear. We have read your Bible and the works + of your best minds. We have heard your prayers, your solemn groans and + your reverential amens. All these amount to less than nothing. We want one + fact. We beg at the doors of your churches for just one little fact We + pass our hats along your pews and under your pulpits and implore you for + just one fact We know all about your mouldy wonders and your stale + miracles. We want a this year's fact. We ask only one. Give us one fact + for charity. Your miracles are too ancient. The witnesses have been dead + for nearly two thousand years. Their reputation for "truth and veracity" + in the neighborhood where they resided is wholly unknown to us. Give us a + new miracle, and substantiate it by witnesses who still have the cheerful + habit of living in this world. Do not send us to Jericho to hear the + winding horns, nor put us in the fire with Shadrach, Meshech, and + Abednego. Do not compel us to navigate the sea with Captain Jonah, nor + dine with Mr. Ezekiel. There is no sort of use in sending us fox-hunting + with Samson. We have positively lost all interest in that little speech so + eloquently delivered by Balaam's inspired donkey. It is worse than useless + to show us fishes with money in their mouths, and call our attention to + vast multitudes stuffing themselves with five crackers and two sardines. + We demand a new miracle, and we demand it now. Let the church furnish at + least one, or forever after hold her peace. + </p> + <p> + In the olden time, the church, by violating the order of nature, proved + the existence of her God. At that time miracles were performed with the + most astonishing ease. They became so common that the church ordered her + priests to desist. And now this same church—the people having found + some little sense—admits, not only, that she cannot perform a + miracle, but insists that the absence of miracle—the steady, + unbroken march of cause and effect, proves the existence of a power + superior to nature. The fact is, however, that the indissoluble chain of + cause and effect proves exactly the contrary. + </p> + <p> + Sir William Hamilton, one of the pillars of modern theology, in discussing + this very subject, uses the following language: "The phenomena of matter + taken by themselves, so far from warranting any inference to the existence + of a god, would on the contrary ground even an argument to his negation. + The phenomena of the material world are subjected to immutable laws; are + produced and reproduced in the same invariable succession, and manifest + only the blind force of a mechanical necessity." + </p> + <p> + Nature is but an endless series of efficient causes. She cannot create, + but she eternally transforms. There was no beginning, and there can be no + end. + </p> + <p> + The best minds, even in the religious world, admit that in material nature + there is no evidence of what they are pleased to call a god. They find + their evidence in the phenomena of intelligence, and very innocently + assert that intelligence is above, and in fact, opposed to nature. They + insist that man, at least, is a special creation; that he has somewhere in + his brain a divine spark, a little portion of the "Great First Cause." + They say that matter cannot produce thought; but that thought can produce + matter. They tell us that man has intelligence, and therefore there must + be an intelligence greater than his. Why not say, God has intelligence, + therefore there must be an intelligence greater than his? So far as we + know, there is no intelligence apart from matter. We cannot conceive of + thought, except as produced within a brain. + </p> + <p> + The science, by means of which they demonstrate the existence of an + impossible intelligence, and an incomprehensible power is called, + metaphysics or theology. The theologians admit that the phenomena of + matter tend, at least, to disprove the existence of any power superior to + nature, because in such phenomena we see nothing but an endless chain of + efficient causes—nothing but the force of a mechanical necessity. + They therefore appeal to what they denominate the phenomena of mind to + establish this superior power. + </p> + <p> + The trouble is, that in the phenomena of mind we find the same endless + chain of efficient causes; the same mechanical necessity. Every thought + must have had an efficient cause. Every motive, every desire, every fear, + hope and dream must have been necessarily produced. There is no room in + the mind of man for providence or chance. The facts and forces governing + thought are as absolute as those governing the motions of the planets. A + poem is produced by the forces of nature, and is as necessarily and + naturally produced as mountains and seas. You will seek in vain for a + thought in man's brain without its efficient cause. Every mental operation + is the necessary result of certain facts and conditions. Mental phenomena + are considered more complicated than those of matter, and consequently + more mysterious. Being more mysterious, they are considered better + evidence of the existence of a god. No one infers a god from the simple, + from the known, from what is understood, but from the complex, from the + unknown, and, incomprehensible. Our ignorance is God; what we know is + science. + </p> + <p> + When we abandon the doctrine that some infinite being created matter and + force, and enacted a code of laws for their government, the idea of + interference will be lost. The real priest will then be, not the + mouth-piece of some pretended deity, but the interpreter of nature. From + that moment the church ceases to exist. The tapers will die out upon the + dusty altar; the moths will eat the fading velvet of pulpit and pew; the + Bible will take its place with the Shastras, Puranas, Vedas, Eddas, Sagas + and Korans, and the fetters of a degrading faith will fall from the minds + of men. + </p> + <p> + "But," says the religionist, "you cannot explain everything; you cannot + understand everything; and that which you cannot explain, that which you + do not comprehend, is my God." + </p> + <p> + We are explaining more every day. We are understanding more every day; + consequently your God is growing smaller every day. + </p> + <p> + Nothing daunted, the religionist then insists that nothing can exist + without a cause, except cause, and that this uncaused cause is God. + </p> + <p> + To this we again reply: Every cause must produce an effect, because until + it does produce an effect, it is not a cause. Every effect must in its + turn become a cause. Therefore, in the nature of things, there cannot be a + last cause, for the reason that a so-called last cause would necessarily + produce an effect, and that effect must of necessity becomes a cause. The + converse of these propositions must be true. Every effect must have had a + cause, and every cause must have been an effect. Therefore there could + have been no first cause. A first cause is just as impossible as a last + effect. + </p> + <p> + Beyond the universe there is nothing, and within the universe the + supernatural does not and cannot exist. + </p> + <p> + The moment these great truths are understood and admitted, a belief in + general or special providence become impossible. From that instant men + will cease their vain efforts to please an imaginary being, and will give + their time and attention to the affairs of this world. They will abandon + the idea of attaining any object by prayer and supplication. The element + of uncertainty will, in a great measure, be removed from the domain of the + future, and man, gathering courage from a succession of victories over the + obstructions of nature, will attain a serene grandeur unknown to the + disciples of any superstition. The plans of mankind will no longer be + interfered with by the finger of a supposed omnipotence, and no one will + believe that nations or individuals are protected or destroyed by any + deity whatever. Science, freed from the chains of pious custom and + evangelical prejudice, will, within her sphere, be supreme. The mind will + investigate without reverence, and publish its conclusions without fear. + Agassiz will no longer hesitate to declare the Mosaic cosmogony utterly + inconsistent with the demonstrated truths of geology, and will cease + pretending any reverence for the Jewish Scriptures. The moment science + succeeds in rendering the church powerless for evil, the real thinkers + will be outspoken. The little flags of truce carried by timid philosophers + will disappear, and the cowardly parley will give place to victory—lasting + and universal. + </p> + <p> + If we admit that some infinite being has controlled the destinies of + persons and peoples, history becomes a most cruel and bloody farce. Age + after age, the strong have trampled upon the weak; the crafty and + heartless have ensnared and enslaved the simple and innocent, and nowhere, + in all the annals of mankind, has any god succored the oppressed. + </p> + <p> + Man should cease to expect aid from on high. By this time he should know + that heaven has no ear to hear, and no hand to help. The present is the + necessary child of all the past. There has been no chance, and there can + be no interference. + </p> + <p> + If abuses are destroyed, man must destroy them. If slaves are freed, man + must free them. If new truths are discovered, man must discover them. If + the naked are clothed; if the hungry are fed; if justice is done; if labor + is rewarded; if superstition is driven from the mind; if the defenceless + are protected and if the right finally triumphs, all must be the work of + man. The grand victories of the future must be won by man, and by man + alone. + </p> + <p> + Nature, so far as we can discern, without passion and without intention, + forms, transforms, and retransforms forever. She neither weeps nor + rejoices. She produces man without purpose, and obliterates him without + regret. She knows no distinction between the beneficial and the hurtful. + Poison and nutrition, pain and joy, life and death, smiles and tears are + alike to her. She is neither merciful nor cruel. She cannot be flattered + by worship nor melted by tears. She does not know even the attitude of + prayer. She appreciates no difference between poison in the fangs of + snakes and mercy in the hearts of men. Only through man does nature take + cognizance of the good, the true, and the beautiful; and, so far as we + know, man is the highest intelligence. + </p> + <p> + And yet man continues to believe that there is some power independent of + and superior to nature, and still endeavors, by form, ceremony, + supplication, hypocrisy and sacrifice, to obtain its aid. His best + energies have been wasted in the service of this phantom. The horrors of + witchcraft were all born of an ignorant belief in the existence of a + totally depraved being superior to nature, acting in perfect independence + of her laws; and all religious superstition has had for its basis a belief + in at least two beings, one good and the other bad, both of whom could + arbitrarily change the order of the universe. The history of religion is + simply the story of man's efforts in all ages to avoid one of these + powers, and to pacify the other. Both powers have inspired little else + than abject fear. The cold, calculating sneer of the devil, and the frown + of God, were equally terrible. In any event, man's fate was to be + arbitrarily fixed forever by an unknown power superior to all law, and to + all fact. Until this belief is thrown aside, man must consider himself the + slave of phantom masters—neither of whom promise liberty in this + world nor in the next. + </p> + <p> + Man must learn to rely upon himself. Reading bibles will not protect him + from the blasts of winter, but houses, fires, and clothing will. To + prevent famine, one plow is worth a million sermons, and even patent + medicines will cure more diseases than all the prayers uttered since the + beginning of the world. + </p> + <p> + Although many eminent men have endeavored to harmonize necessity and free + will, the existence of evil, and the infinite power and good ness of God, + they have succeeded only in producing learned and ingenious failures. + Immense efforts have been made to reconcile ideas utterly inconsistent + with the facts by which we are surrounded, and all persons who have failed + to perceive the pretended reconciliation, have been denounced as infidels, + atheists and scoffers. The whole power of the church has been brought to + bear against philosophers and scientists in order to compel a denial of + the authority of demonstration, and to induce some Judas to betray Reason, + one of the saviors of mankind. + </p> + <p> + During that frightful period known as the "Dark Ages," Faith reigned, with + scarcely a rebellious subject. Her temples were "carpeted with knees," and + the wealth of nations adorned her countless shrines. The great painters + prostituted their genius to immortalize her vagaries, while the poets + enshrined them in song. At her bidding, man covered the earth with blood. + The scales of Justice were turned with her gold, and for her use were + invented all the cunning instruments of pain. She built cathedrals for + God, and dungeons for men. She peopled the clouds with angels and the + earth with slaves. For centuries the world was retracing its steps—going + steadily back toward barbaric night! A few infidels—a few heretics + cried, "Halt!" to the great rabble of ignorant devotion, and made it + possible for the genius of the nineteenth century to revolutionize the + cruel creeds and superstitions of mankind. + </p> + <p> + The thoughts of man, in order to be of any real worth, must be free. Under + the influence of fear the brain is paralyzed, and instead of bravely + solving a problem for itself, tremblingly adopts the solution of another. + As long as a majority of men will cringe to the very earth before some + petty prince or king, what must be the infinite abjectness of their little + souls in the presence of their supposed creator and God? Under such + circumstances, what can their thoughts be worth? + </p> + <p> + The originality of repetition, and the mental vigor of acquiescence, are + all that we have any right to expect from the Christian world. As long as + every question is answered by the word "God," scientific inquiry is simply + impossible. As fast as phenomena are satisfactorily explained the domain + of the power, supposed to be superior to nature must decrease, while the + horizon of the known must as constantly continue to enlarge. + </p> + <p> + It is no longer satisfactory to account for the fall and rise of nations + by saying, "It is the will of God." Such an explanation puts ignorance and + education upon an exact equality, and does away with the idea of really + accounting for anything whatever. + </p> + <p> + Will the religionist pretend that the real end of science is to ascertain + how and why God acts? Science, from such a standpoint would consist in + investigating the law of arbitrary action, and in a grand endeavor to + ascertain the rules necessarily obeyed by infinite caprice. + </p> + <p> + From a philosophical point of view, science is knowledge of the laws of + life; of the conditions of happiness; of the facts by which we are + surrounded, and the relations we sustain to men and things—by means + of which, man, so to speak, subjugates nature and bends the elemental + powers to his will, making blind force the servant of his brain. + </p> + <p> + A belief in special providence does away with the spirit of investigation, + and is inconsistent with personal effort. Why should man endeavor to + thwart the designs of God? Which of you, by taking thought, can add one + cubit to his stature? Under the influence of this belief, man, basking in + the sunshine of a delusion, considers the lilies of the field and refuses + to take any thought for the morrow. Believing himself in the power of an + infinite being, who can, at any moment, dash him to the lowest hell or + raise him to the highest heaven, he necessarily abandons the idea of + accomplishing anything by his own efforts. As long as this belief was + general, the world was filled with ignorance, superstition and misery. The + energies of man were wasted in a vain effort to obtain the aid of this + power, supposed to be superior to nature. For countless ages, even men + were sacrificed upon the altar of this impossible god. To please him, + mothers have shed the blood of their own babes; martyrs have chanted + triumphant songs in the midst of flame; priests have gorged themselves + with blood; nuns have forsworn the ecstasies of love; old men have + tremblingly implored; women have sobbed and entreated; every pain has been + endured, and every horror has been perpetrated. + </p> + <p> + Through the dim long years that have fled, humanity has suffered more than + can be conceived. Most of the misery has been endured by the weak, the + loving and the innocent Women have been treated like poisonous beasts, and + little children trampled upon as though they had been vermin. Numberless + altars have been reddened, even with the blood of babes; beautiful girls + have been given to slimy serpents; whole races of men doomed to centuries + of slavery, and everywhere there has been outrage beyond the power of + genius to express. During all these years the suffering have supplicated; + the withered lips of famine have prayed; the pale victims have implored, + and Heaven has been deaf and blind. + </p> + <p> + Of what use have the gods been to man? + </p> + <p> + It is no answer to say that some god created the world, established + certain laws, and then turned his attention to other matters, leaving his + children weak, ignorant and unaided, to fight the battle of life alone. It + is no solution to declare that in some, other world this god will render a + few, or even all, his subjects happy. What right have we to expect that a + perfectly wise, good and powerful being will ever do better than he has + done, and is doing? The world is filled with imperfections. If it was made + by an infinite being, what reason have we for saying that he will render + it nearer perfect than it now is? If the infinite "Father" allows a + majority of his children to live in ignorance and wretchedness now, what + evidence is there that he will ever improve their condition? Will God have + more power? Will he become more merciful? Will his love for his poor + creatures increase? Can the conduct of infinite wisdom, power and love + ever change? Is the infinite capable of any improvement whatever? + </p> + <p> + We are informed by the clergy that this world is a kind of school; that + the evils by which we are surrounded are for the purpose of developing our + souls, and that only by suffering can men become pure, strong, virtuous + and grand. + </p> + <p> + Supposing this to be true, what is to become of those who die in infancy? + The little children, according to this philosophy, can never be developed. + They were so unfortunate as to escape the ennobling influences of pain and + misery, and as a consequence, are doomed to an eternity of mental + inferiority. If the clergy are right on this question, none are so + unfortunate as the happy, and we should envy only the suffering and + distressed. If evil is necessary to the development of man, in this life, + how is it possible for the soul to improve in the perfect joy of Paradise? + </p> + <p> + Since Paley found his watch, the argument of "design" has been relied upon + as unanswerable. The church teaches that this world, and all that it + contains, were created substantially as we now see them; that the grasses, + the flowers, the trees, and all animals, including man, were special + creations, and that they sustain no necessary relation to each other. The + most orthodox will admit that some earth has been washed into the sea; + that the sea has encroached a little upon the land, and that some + mountains may be a trifle lower than in the morning of creation. The + theory of gradual development was unknown to our fathers; the idea of + evolution did not occur to them. Our fathers looked upon the then + arrangement of things as the primal arrangement. The earth appeared to + them fresh from the hands of a deity. They knew nothing of the slow + evolutions of countless years, but supposed that the almost infinite + variety of vegetable and animal forms had existed from the first. + </p> + <p> + Suppose that upon some island we should find a man a million years of age, + and suppose that we should find him in the possession of a most beautiful + carriage, constructed upon the most perfect model. And suppose, further, + that he should tell us that it was the result of several hundred thousand + years of labor and of thought; that for fifty thousand years he used as + flat a log as he could find, before it occurred to him, that by splitting + the log, he could have the same surface with only half the weight; that it + took him many thousand years to invent wheels for this log; that the + wheels he first used were solid, and that fifty thousand years of thought + suggested the use of spokes and tire; that for many centuries he used the + wheels without linch-pins; that it took a hundred thousand years more to + think of using four wheels, instead of two; that for ages he walked behind + the carriage, when going down hill, in order to hold it back, and that + only by a lucky chance he invented the tongue; would we conclude that this + man, from the very first, had been an infinitely ingenious and perfect + mechanic? Suppose we found him living in an elegant mansion, and he should + inform us that he lived in that house for five hundred thousand years + before he thought of putting on a roof, and that he had but recently + invented windows and doors; would we say that from the beginning he had + been an infinitely accomplished and scientific architect? + </p> + <p> + Does not an improvement in the things created, show a corresponding + improvement in the creator? + </p> + <p> + Would an infinitely wise, good and powerful God, intending to produce man, + commence with the lowest possible forms of life; with the simplest + organism that can be imagined, and during immeasurable periods of time, + slowly and almost imperceptibly improve upon the rude beginning, until man + was evolved? Would countless ages thus be wasted in the production of + awkward forms, afterwards abandoned? Can the intelligence of man discover + the least wisdom in covering the earth with crawling, creeping horrors, + that live only upon the agonies and pangs of others? Can we see the + propriety of so constructing the earth, that only an insignificant portion + of its surface is capable of producing an intelligent man? Who can + appreciate the mercy of so making the world that all animals devour + animals; so that every mouth is a slaughterhouse, and every stomach a + tomb? Is it possible to discover infinite intelligence and love in + universal and eternal carnage? + </p> + <p> + What would we think of a father, who should give a farm to his children, + and before giving them possession should plant upon it thousands of deadly + shrubs and vines; should stock it with ferocious beasts, and poisonous + reptiles; should take pains to put a few swamps in the neighborhood to + breed malaria; should so arrange matters, that the ground would + occasionally open and swallow a few of his darlings, and besides all this, + should establish a few volcanoes in the immediate vicinity, that might at + any moment overwhelm his children with rivers of fire? Suppose that this + father neglected to tell his children which of the plants were deadly; + that the reptiles were poisonous; failed to say anything about the + earthquakes, and kept the volcano business a profound secret; would we + pronounce him angel or fiend? + </p> + <p> + And yet this is exactly what the orthodox God has done. + </p> + <p> + According to the theologians, God prepared this globe expressly for the + habitation of his loved children, and yet he filled the forests with + ferocious beasts; placed serpents in every path; stuffed the world with + earthquakes, and adorned its surface with mountains of flame. + </p> + <p> + Notwithstanding all this, we are told that the world is perfect; that it + was created by a perfect being, and is therefore necessarily perfect. The + next moment, these same persons will tell us that the world was cursed; + covered with brambles, thistles and thorns, and that man was doomed to + disease and death, simply because our poor, dear mother ate an apple + contrary to the command of an arbitrary God. + </p> + <p> + A very pious friend of mine, having heard that I had said the world was + full of imperfections, asked me if the report was true. Upon being + informed that it was, he expressed great surprise that any one could be + guilty of such presumption. He said that, in his judgment, it was + impossible to point out an imperfection. "Be kind enough," said he, "to + name even one improvement that you could make, if you had the power." + "Well," said I, "I would make good health catching, instead of disease." + The truth is, it is impossible to harmonize all the ills, and pains, and + agonies of this world with the idea that we were created by, and are + watched over and protected by an infinitely wise, powerful and beneficent + God, who is superior to and independent of nature. + </p> + <p> + The clergy, however, balance all the real ills of this life with the + expected joys of the next. We are assured that all is perfection in heaven—there + the skies are cloudless—there all is serenity and peace. Here + empires may be overthrown; dynasties may be extinguished in blood; + millions of slaves may toil 'neath the fierce rays of the sun, and the + cruel strokes of the lash; yet all is happiness in heaven. Pestilences may + strew the earth with corpses of the loved; the survivors may bend above + them in agony—yet the placid bosom of heaven is unruffled. Children + may expire vainly asking for bread; babes may be devoured by serpents, + while the gods sit smiling in the clouds. The innocent may languish unto + death in the obscurity of dungeons; brave men and heroic women may be + changed to ashes at the bigot's stake, while heaven is filled with song + and joy. Out on the wide sea, in darkness and in storm, the shipwrecked + struggle with the cruel waves while the angels play upon their golden + harps. The streets of the world are filled with the diseased, the deformed + and the helpless; the chambers of pain are crowded with the pale forms of + the suffering, while the angels float and fly in the happy realms of day. + In heaven they are too happy to have sympathy; too busy singing to aid the + imploring and distressed. Their eyes are blinded; their ears are stopped + and their hearts are turned to stone by the infinite selfishness of joy. + The saved mariner is too happy when he touches the shore to give a + moment's thought to his drowning brothers. With the indifference of + happiness, with the contempt of bliss, heaven barely glances at the + miseries of earth. Cities are devoured by the rushing lava; the earth + opens and thousands perish; women raise their clasped hands towards + heaven, but the gods are too happy to aid their children. The smiles of + the deities are unacquainted with the tears of men. The shouts of heaven + drown the sobs of earth. + </p> + <p> + Having shown how man created gods, and how he became the trembling slave + of his own creation, the questions naturally arise: How did he free + himself even a little, from these monarchs of the sky, from these despots + of the clouds, from this aristocracy of the air? How did he, even to the + extent that he has, outgrow his ignorant, abject terror, and throw off the + yoke of superstition? + </p> + <p> + Probably, the first thing that tended to disabuse his mind was the + discovery of order, of regularity, of periodicity in the universe. From + this he began to suspect that everything did not happen purely with + reference to him. He noticed, that whatever he might do, the motions of + the planets were always the same; that eclipses were periodical, and that + even comets came at certain intervals. This convinced him that eclipses + and comets had nothing to do with him, and that his conduct had nothing to + do with them. He perceived that they were not caused for his benefit or + injury. He thus learned to regard them with admiration instead of fear. He + began to suspect that famine was not sent by some enraged and revengeful + deity, but resuited often from the neglect and ignorance of man. He + learned that diseases were not produced by evil spirits. He found that + sickness was occasioned by natural causes, and could be cured by natural + means. He demonstrated, to his own satisfaction at least, that prayer is + not a medicine. He found by sad experience that his gods were of no + practical use, as they never assisted him, except when he was perfectly + able to help himself. At last, he began to discover that his individual + action had nothing whatever to do with strange appearances in the heavens; + that it was impossible for him to be bad enough to cause a whirlwind, or + good enough to stop one. After many centuries of thought, he about half + concluded that making mouths at a priest would not necessarily cause an + earthquake. He noticed, and no doubt with considerable astonishment, that + very good men were occasionally struck by lightning, while very bad ones + escaped. He was frequently forced to the painful conclusion (and it is the + most painful to which any human being ever was forced) that the right did + not always prevail. He noticed that the gods did not interfere in behalf + of the weak and innocent. He was now and then astonished by seeing an + unbeliever in the enjoyment of most excellent health. He finally + ascertained that there could be no possible connection between an + unusually severe winter and his failure to give a sheep to a priest. He + began to suspect that the order of the universe was not constantly being + changed to assist him because he repeated a creed. He observed that some + children would steal after having been regularly baptized. He noticed a + vast difference between religion and justice, and that the worshipers of + the same god, took delight in cutting each other's throats. He saw that + these religious disputes filled the world with hatred and slavery. At last + he had the courage to suspect, that no god at any time interferes with the + order of events. He learned a few facts, and these facts positively + refused to harmonize with the ignorant superstitions of his fathers. + Finding his sacred books incorrect and false in some particulars, his + faith in their authenticity began to be shaken; finding his priests + ignorant upon some points, he began to lose respect for the cloth. This + was the commencement of intellectual freedom. + </p> + <p> + The civilization of man has increased just to the same extent that + religious power has decreased. The intellectual advancement of man depends + upon how often he can exchange an old superstition for a new truth. The + church never enabled a human being to make even one of these exchanges; on + the contrary, all her power has been used to prevent them. In spite, + however, of the church, man found that some of his religious conceptions + were wrong. By reading his Bible, he found that the ideas of his God were + more cruel and brutal than those of the most depraved savage. He also + discovered that this holy book was filled with ignorance, and that it must + have been written by persons wholly unacquainted with the nature of the + phenomena by which we are surrounded; and now and then, some man had the + goodness and courage to speak his honest thoughts. In every age some + thinker, some doubter, some investigator, some hater of hypocrisy, some + despiser of sham, some brave lover of the right, has gladly, proudly and + heroically braved the ignorant fury of superstition for the sake of man + and truth. These divine men were generally torn in pieces by the + worshipers of the gods. Socrates was poisoned because he lacked reverence + for some of the deities. Christ was crucified by a religious rabble for + the crime of blasphemy. Nothing is more gratifying to a religionist than + to destroy his enemies at the command of God. Religious persecution + springs from a due admixture of love towards God and hatred towards man. + </p> + <p> + The terrible religious wars that inundated the world with blood tended at + least to bring all religion into disgrace and hatred. Thoughtful people + began to question the divine origin of a religion that made its believers + hold the rights of others in absolute contempt. A few began to compare + Christianity with the religions of heathen people, and were forced to + admit that the difference was hardly worth dying for. They also found that + other nations were even happier and more prosperous than their own. They + began to suspect that their religion, after all, was not of much real + value. + </p> + <p> + For three hundred years the Christian world endeavored to rescue from the + "Infidel" the empty sepulchre of Christ. For three hundred years the + armies of the cross were baffled and beaten by the victorious hosts of an + impudent impostor. This immense fact sowed the seeds of distrust + throughout all Christendom, and millions began to lose confidence in a God + who had been vanquished by Mohammed. The people also found that commerce + made friends where religion made enemies, and that religious zeal was + utterly incompatible with peace between nations or individuals. They + discovered that those who loved the gods most were apt to love men least; + that the arrogance of universal forgiveness was amazing; that the most + malicious had the effrontery to pray for their enemies, and that humility + and tyranny were the fruit of the same tree. + </p> + <p> + For ages, a deadly conflict has been waged between a few brave men and + women of thought and genius upon the one side, and the great ignorant + religious mass on the other. This is the war between Science and Faith. + The few have appealed to reason, to honor, to law, to freedom, to the + known, and to happiness here in this world. The many have appealed to + prejudice, to fear, to miracle, to slavery, to the unknown, and to misery + hereafter. The few have said, "Think!" The many have said, "Believe!" + </p> + <p> + The first doubt was the womb and cradle of progress, and from the first + doubt, man has continued to advance. Men began to investigate, and the + church began to oppose. The astronomer scanned the heavens, while the + church branded his grand forehead with the word, "Infidel;" and now, not a + glittering star in all the vast expanse bears a Christian name. In spite + of all religion, the geologist penetrated the earth, read her history in + books of stone, and found, hidden within her bosom, souvenirs of all the + ages. Old ideas perished in the retort of the chemist, and useful truths + took their places. One by one religious conceptions have been placed in + the crucible of science, and thus far, nothing but dross has been found. A + new world has been discovered by the microscope; everywhere has been found + the infinite; in every direction man has investigated and explored and + nowhere, in earth or stars, has been found the footstep of any being + superior to or independent of nature. Nowhere has been discovered the + slightest evidence of any interference from without. + </p> + <p> + These are the sublime truths that enabled man to throw off the yoke of + superstition. These are the splendid facts that snatched the sceptre of + authority from the hands of priests. + </p> + <p> + In that vast cemetery, called the past, are most of the religions of men, + and there, too, are nearly all their gods. The sacred temples of India + were ruins long ago. Over column and cornice; over the painted and + pictured walls, cling and creep the trailing vines. Brahma, the golden, + with four heads and four arms; Vishnu, the sombre, the punisher of the + wicked, with his three eyes, his crescent, and his necklace of skulls; + Siva, the destroyer, red with seas of blood; Kali, the goddess; Draupadi, + the white-armed, and Chrishna, the Christ, all passed away and left the + thrones of heaven desolate. Along the banks of the sacred Nile, Isis no + longer wandering weeps, searching for the dead Osiris. The shadow of + Typhons scowl falls no more upon the waves. The sun rises as of yore, and + his golden beams still smite the lips of Memnon, but Mem-non is as + voiceless as the Sphinx. The sacred fanes are lost in desert sands; the + dusty mummies are still waiting for the resurrection promised by their + priests, and the old beliefs, wrought in curiously sculptured stone, sleep + in the mystery of a language lost and dead. Odin, the author of life and + soul, Vili and Ve, and the mighty giant Ymir, strode long ago from the icy + halls of the North; and Thor, with iron glove and glittering hammer, + dashes mountains to the earth no more. Broken are the circles and + cromlechs of the ancient Druids; fallen upon the summits of the hills, and + covered with the centuries' moss, are the sacred cairns. The divine fires + of Persia and of the Aztecs, have died out in the ashes of the past, and + there is none to rekindle, and none to feed the holy flames. The harp of + Orpheus is still; the drained cup of Bacchus has been thrown aside; Venus + lies dead in stone, and her white bosom heaves no more with love. The + streams still murmur, but no naiads bathe; the trees still wave, but in + the forest aisles no dryads dance. The gods have flown from high Olympus. + Not even the beautiful women can lure them back, and Danæ lies + unnoticed, naked to the stars. Hushed forever are the thunders of Sinai; + lost are the voices of the prophets, and the land once flowing with milk + and honey, is but a desert waste. One by one, the myths have faded from + the clouds: one by one, the phantom host has disappeared, and one by one, + facts, truths and realities have taken their places. The supernatural has + almost gone, but the natural remains. The gods have fled, but man is here. + </p> + <p> + Nations, like individuals, have their periods of youth, of manhood and + decay. Religions are the same. The same inexorable destiny awaits them + all. The gods created by the nations must perish with their creators. They + were created by men, and like men, they must pass away. The deities of one + age are the by-words of the next The religion of our day, and country, is + no more exempt from the sneer of the future than the others have been. + When India was supreme, Brahma sat upon the world's throne. When the + sceptre passed to Egypt, Isis and Osiris received the homage of mankind. + Greece, with her fierce valor, swept to empire, and Zeus put on the purple + of authority. The earth trembled with the tread of Rome's intrepid sons, + and Jove grasped with mailed hand the thunderbolts of heaven. Rome fell, + and Christians from her territory, with the red sword of war, carved out + the ruling nations of the world, and now Christ sits upon the old throne. + Who will be his successor? + </p> + <p> + Day by day, religious conceptions grow less and less intense. Day by day, + the old spirit dies out of book and creed. The burning enthusiasm, the + quenchless zeal of the early church have gone, never, never to return. The + ceremonies remain, but the ancient faith is fading out of the human heart. + The worn-out arguments fail to convince, and denunciations that once + blanched the faces of a race, excite in us only derision and disgust. As + time rolls on, the miracles grow mean and small, and the evidences our + fathers thought conclusive utterly fail to satisfy us. There is an + "irrepressible conflict" between religion and science, and they cannot + peaceably occupy the same brain nor the same world. + </p> + <p> + While utterly discarding all creeds, and denying the truth of all + religions, there is neither in my heart nor upon my lips a sneer for the + hopeful, loving and tender souls who believe that from all this discord + will result a perfect harmony; that every evil will in some mysterious way + become a good, and that above and over all there is a being who, in some + way, will reclaim and glorify every one of the children of men; but for + those who heartlessly try to prove that salvation is almost impossible; + that damnation is almost certain; that the highway of the universe leads + to hell; who fill life with fear and death with horror; who curse the + cradle and mock the tomb, it is impossible to entertain other than + feelings of pity, contempt and scorn. + </p> + <p> + Reason, Observation and Experience—the Holy Trinity of Science—have + taught us that happiness is the only good; that the time to be happy is + now, and the way to be happy is to make others so. This is enough for us. + In this belief we are content to live and die. If by any possibility the + existence of a power superior to, and independent of, nature shall be + demonstrated, there will then be time enough to kneel. Until then, let us + stand erect. + </p> + <p> + Notwithstanding the fact that infidels in all ages have battled for the + rights of man, and have at all times been the fearless advocates of + liberty and justice, we are constantly charged by the church with tearing + down without building again. The church should by this time know that it + is utterly impossible to rob men of their opinions. The history of + religious persecution fully establishes the fact that the mind necessarily + resists and defies every attempt to control it by violence. The mind + necessarily clings to old ideas until prepared for the new. The moment we + comprehend the truth, all erroneous ideas are of necessity cast aside. + </p> + <p> + A surgeon once called upon a poor cripple and kindly offered to render him + any assistance in his power. The surgeon began to discourse very learnedly + upon the nature and origin of disease; of the curative properties of + certain medicines; of the advantages of exercise, air and light, and of + the various ways in which health and strength could be restored. These + remarks were so full of good sense, and discovered so much profound + thought and accurate knowledge, that the cripple, becoming thoroughly + alarmed, cried out, "Do not, I pray you, take away my crutches. They are + my only support, and without them I should be miserable indeed!" "I am not + going," said the surgeon, "to take away your crutches. I am going to cure + you, and then you will throw the crutches away yourself." + </p> + <p> + For the vagaries of the clouds the infidels propose to substitute the + realities of earth; for superstition, the splendid demonstrations and + achievements of science; and for theological tyranny, the chainless + liberty of thought. + </p> + <p> + We do not say that we have discovered all; that our doctrines are the all + in all of truth. We know of no end to the development of man. We cannot + unravel the infinite complications of matter and force. The history of one + monad is as unknown as that of the universe; one drop of water is as + wonderful as all the seas; one leaf, as all the forests; and one grain of + sand, as all the stars. + </p> + <p> + We are not endeavoring to chain the future, but to free the present. We + are not forging fetters for our children, but we are breaking those our + fathers made for us. We are the advocates of inquiry, of investigation and + thought This of itself, is an admission that we are not perfectly + satisfied with all our conclusions. Philosophy has not the egotism of + faith. While superstition builds walls and creates obstructions, science + opens all the highways of thought. We do not pretend to have + circumnavigated everything, and to have solved all difficulties, but we do + believe that it is better to love men than to fear gods; that it is + grander and nobler to think and investigate for yourself than to repeat a + creed. We are satisfied that there can be but little liberty on earth + while men worship a tyrant in heaven. We do not expect to accomplish + everything in our day; but we want to do what good we can, and to render + all the service possible in the holy cause of human progress. We know that + doing away with gods and supernatural persons and powers is not an end. It + is a means to an end: the real end being the happiness of man. + </p> + <p> + Felling forests is not the end of agriculture. Driving pirates from the + sea is not all there is of commerce. + </p> + <p> + We are laying the foundations of the grand temple of the future—not + the temple of all the gods, but of all the people—wherein, with + appropriate rites, will be celebrated the religion of Humanity. We are + doing what little we can to hasten the coming of the day when society + shall cease producing millionaires and mendicants—gorged indolence + and famished industry—truth in rags, and superstition robed and + crowned. We are looking for the time when the useful shall be the + honorable; and when Reason, throned upon the world's brain, shall be the + King of Kings, and God of Gods. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0003" id="link0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + HUMBOLDT. + </h2> + <h3> + The Universe is Governed by Law. + </h3> + <p> + GREAT men seem to be a part of the infinite—brothers of the + mountains and the seas. + </p> + <p> + Humboldt was one of these. He was one of those serene men, in some + respects like our own Franklin, whose names have all the lustre of a star. + He was one of the few, great enough to rise above the superstition and + prejudice of his time, and to know that experience, observation, and + reason are the only basis of knowledge. + </p> + <p> + He became one of the greatest of men in spite of having been born rich and + noble—in spite of position. I say in spite of these things, because + wealth and position are generally the enemies of genius, and the + destroyers of talent. + </p> + <p> + It is often said of this or that man, that he is a self-made man—that + he was born of the poorest and humblest parents, and that with every + obstacle to overcome he became great. This is a mistake. Poverty is + generally an advantage. Most of the intellectual giants of the world have + been nursed at the sad and loving breast of poverty. Most of those who + have climbed highest on the shining ladder of fame commenced at the lowest + round. They were reared in the straw-thatched cottages of Europe; in the + log-houses of America; in the factories of the great cities; in the midst + of toil; in the smoke and din of labor, and on the verge of want. They + were rocked by the feet of mothers whose hands, at the same time, were + busy with the needle or the wheel. + </p> + <p> + It is hard for the rich to resist the thousand allurements of pleasure, + and so I say, that Humboldt, in spite of having been born to wealth and + high social position, became truly and grandly great. + </p> + <p> + In the antiquated and romantic castle of Tegel, by the side of the pine + forest, on the shore of the charming lake, near the beautiful city of + Berlin, the great Humboldt, one hundred years ago to-day, was born, and + there he was educated after the method suggested by Rousseau,—Campe, + the philologist and critic, and the intellectual Kunth being his tutors. + There he received the impressions that determined his career; there the + great idea that the universe is governed by law, took possession of his + mind, and there he dedicated his life to the demonstration of this sublime + truth. + </p> + <p> + He came to the conclusion that the source of man's unhappiness is his + ignorance of nature. + </p> + <p> + After having received the most thorough education at that time possible, + and having determined to what end he would devote the labors of his life, + he turned his attention to the sciences of geology, mining, mineralogy, + botany, the distribution of plants, the distribution of animals, and the + effect of climate upon man. All grand physical phenomena were investigated + and explained. From his youth he had felt a great desire for travel. He + felt, as he says, a violent passion for the sea, and longed to look upon + nature in her wildest and most rugged forms. He longed to give a physical + description of the universe—a grand picture of nature; to account + for all phenomena; to discover the laws governing the world; to do away + with that splendid delusion called special providence, and to establish + the fact that the universe is governed by law. + </p> + <p> + To establish this truth was, and is, of infinite importance to mankind. + That fact is the death-knell of superstition; it gives liberty to every + soul, annihilates fear, and ushers in the Age of Reason. + </p> + <p> + The object of this illustrious man was to comprehend the phenomena of + physical objects in their general connection, and to represent nature as + one great whole, moved and animated by internal forces. + </p> + <p> + For this purpose he turned his attention to descriptive botany, traversing + distant lands and mountain ranges to ascertain with certainty the + geographical distribution of plants. He investigated the laws regulating + the differences of temperature and climate, and the changes of the + atmosphere. He studied the formation of the earth's crust, explored the + deepest mines, ascended the highest mountains, and wandered through the + craters of extinct volcanoes. + </p> + <p> + He became thoroughly acquainted with chemistry, with astronomy, with + terrestrial magnetism; and as the investigation of one subject leads to + all others, for the reason that there is a mutual dependence and a + necessary connection between all facts, so Humboldt became acquainted with + all the known sciences. + </p> + <p> + His fame does not depend so much upon his discoveries (although he + discovered enough to make hundreds of reputations) as upon his vast and + splendid generalizations. + </p> + <p> + He was to science what Shakespeare was to the drama. + </p> + <p> + He found, so to speak, the world full of unconnected facts—all + portions of a vast system—parts of a great machine; he discovered + the connection that each bears to all; put them together, and demonstrated + beyond all contradiction that the earth is governed by law. + </p> + <p> + He knew that to discover the connection of phenomena is the primary aim of + all natural investigation. He was infinitely practical. + </p> + <p> + Origin and destiny were questions with which he had nothing to do. + </p> + <p> + His surroundings made him what he was. + </p> + <p> + In accordance with a law not fully comprehended, he was a production of + his time. + </p> + <p> + Great men do not live alone; they are surrounded by the great; they are + the instruments used to accomplish the tendencies of their generation; + they fulfill the prophecies of their age. + </p> + <p> + Nearly all of the scientific men of the eighteenth century had the same + idea entertained by Humboldt, but most of them in a dim and confused way. + There was, however, a general belief among the intelligent that the world + is governed by law, and that there really exists a connection between all + facts, <i>or that all facts are simply the different aspects of a general + fact</i>, and that the task of science is to discover this connection; to + comprehend this general fact or to announce the laws of things. + </p> + <p> + Germany was full of thought, and her universities swarmed with + philosophers and grand thinkers in every department of knowledge. + </p> + <p> + Humboldt was the friend and companion of the greatest poets, historians, + philologists, artists, statesmen, critics, and logicians of his time. + </p> + <p> + He was the companion of Schiller, who believed that man would be + regenerated through the influence of the Beautiful; of Goethe, the grand + patriarch of German literature; of Weiland, who has been called the + Voltaire of Germany; of Herder, who wrote the outlines of a philosophical + history of man; of Kotzebue, who lived in the world of romance; of + Schleiermacher, the pantheist; of Schlegel, who gave to his countrymen the + enchanted realm of Shakespeare; of the sublime Kant, author of the first + work published in Germany on Pure Reason; of Fichte, the infinite + idealist; of Schopenhauer, the European Buddhist who followed the great + Gautama to the painless and dreamless Nirwana, and of hundreds of others, + whose names are familiar to and honored by the scientific world. + </p> + <p> + The German mind had been grandly roused from the long lethargy of the dark + ages of ignorance, fear, and faith. Guided by the holy light of reason, + every department of knowledge was investigated, enriched and illustrated. + </p> + <p> + Humboldt breathed the atmosphere of investigation; old ideas were + abandoned; old creeds, hallowed by centuries, were thrown aside; thought + became courageous; the athlete, Reason, challenged to mortal combat the + monsters of superstition. + </p> + <p> + No wonder that under these influences Humboldt formed the great purpose of + presenting to the world a picture of Nature, in order that men might, for + the first time, behold the face of their Mother. + </p> + <p> + Europe becoming too small for his genius, he visited the tropics in the + new world, where in the most circumscribed limits he could find the + greatest number of plants, of animals, and the greatest diversity of + climate, that he might ascertain the laws governing the production and + distribution of plants, animals and men, and the effects of climate upon + them all. He sailed along the gigantic Amazon—the mysterious Orinoco—traversed + the Pampas—climbed the Andes until he stood upon the crags of + Chimborazo, more than eighteen thousand feet above the level of the sea, + and climbed on until blood flowed from his eyes and lips. For nearly five + years he pursued his investigations in the new world, accompanied by the + intrepid Bonpland. Nothing escaped his attention. He was the best + intellectual organ of these new revelations of science. He was calm, + reflective and eloquent; filled with a sense of the beautiful, and the + love of truth. His collections were immense, and valuable beyond + calculation to every science. He endured innumerable hardships, braved + countless dangers in unknown and savage lands, and exhausted his fortune + for the advancement of true learning. + </p> + <p> + Upon his return to Europe he was hailed as the second Columbus; as the + scientific discoverer of America; as the revealer of a new world; as the + great demonstrator of the sublime truth, that the universe is governed by + law. + </p> + <p> + I have seen a picture of the old man, sitting upon a mountain side—above + him the eternal snow—below, the smiling valley of the tropics, + filled with vine and palm; his chin upon his breast, his eyes deep, + thoughtful and calm—his forehead majestic—grander than the + mountain upon which he sat—crowned with the snow of his whitened + hair, he looked the intellectual autocrat of this world. + </p> + <p> + Not satisfied with his discoveries in America, he crossed the steppes of + Asia, the wastes of Siberia, the great Ural range, adding to the knowledge + of mankind at every step. His energy acknowledged no obstacle, his life + knew no leisure; every day was filled with labor and with thought. + </p> + <p> + He was one of the apostles of science, and he served his divine master + with a self-sacrificing zeal that knew no abatement; with an ardor that + constantly increased, and with a devotion unwavering and constant as the + polar star. + </p> + <p> + In order that the people at large might have the benefit of his numerous + discoveries, and his vast knowledge, he delivered at Berlin a course of + lectures, consisting of sixty-one free addresses, upon the following + subjects: + </p> + <p> + Five, upon the nature and limits of physical geography. + </p> + <p> + Three, were devoted to a history of science. + </p> + <p> + Two, to inducements to a study of natural science. + </p> + <p> + Sixteen, on the heavens. + </p> + <p> + Five, on the form, density, latent heat, and magnetic power of the earth, + and to the polar light. + </p> + <p> + Four, were on the nature of the crust of the earth, on hot springs + earthquakes, and volcanoes. + </p> + <p> + Two, on mountains and the type of their formation. + </p> + <p> + Two, on the form of the earth's surface, on the connection of continents, + and the elevation of soil over ravines. + </p> + <p> + Three, on the sea as a globular fluid surrounding the earth. + </p> + <p> + Ten, on the atmosphere as an elastic fluid surrounding the earth, and on + the distribution of heat. + </p> + <p> + One, on the geographic distribution of organ ized matter in general. + </p> + <p> + Three, on the geography of plants. + </p> + <p> + Three, on the geography of animals, and + </p> + <p> + Two, on the races of men. + </p> + <p> + These lectures are what is known as the Cosmos, and present a scientific + picture of the world—of infinite diversity in unity—of + ceaseless motion in the eternal grasp of law. + </p> + <p> + These lectures contain the result of his investigation, observation, and + experience; they furnish the connection between phenomena; they disclose + some of the changes through which the earth has passed in the countless + ages; the history of vegetation, animals and men, the effects of climate + upon individuals and nations, the relation we sustain to other worlds, and + demonstrate that all phenomena, whether insignificant or grand, exist in + accordance with inexorable law. + </p> + <p> + There are some truths, however, that we never should forget: Superstition + has always been the relentless enemy of science; faith has been a hater of + demonstration; hypocrisy has been sincere only in its dread of truth, and + all religions are inconsistent with mental freedom. + </p> + <p> + Since the murder of Hypatia in the fifth century, when the polished blade + of Greek philosophy was broken by the club of ignorant Catholicism, until + to-day, superstition has detested every effort of reason. + </p> + <p> + It is almost impossible to conceive of the completeness of the victory + that the church achieved over philosophy. For ages science was utterly + ignored; thought was a poor slave; an ignorant priest was master of the + world; faith put out the eyes of the soul; the reason was a trembling + coward; the imagination was set on fire of hell; every human feeling was + sought to be suppressed; love was considered infinitely sinful; pleasure + was the road to eternal fire, and God was supposed to be happy only when + his children were miserable. The world was governed by an Almighty's whim; + prayers could change the order of things, halt the grand procession of + nature, could produce rain, avert pestilence, famine and death in all its + forms. There was no idea of the certain; all depended upon divine pleasure + or displeasure rather; heaven was full of inconsistent malevolence, and + earth of ignorance. Everything was done to appease the divine wrath; every + public calamity was caused by the sins of the people; by a failure to pay + tithes, or for having, even in secret, felt a disrespect for a priest. To + the poor multitude, the earth was a kind of enchanted forest, full of + demons ready to devour, and theological serpents lurking with infinite + power to fascinate and torture the unhappy and impotent soul. Life to them + was a dim and mysterious labyrinth, in which they wandered weary, and + lost, guided by priests as bewildered as themselves, without knowing that + at every step the Ariadne of reason offered them the long lost clue. + </p> + <p> + The very heavens were full of death; the lightning was regarded as the + glittering vengeance of God, and the earth was thick with snares for the + unwary feet of man. The soul was supposed to be crowded with the wild + beasts of desire; the heart to be totally corrupt, prompting only to + crime; virtues were regarded as deadly sins in disguise; there was a + continual warfare being waged between the Deity and the Devil, for the + possession of every soul; the latter generally being considered + victorious. The flood, the tornado, the volcano, were all evidences of the + displeasure of heaven, and the sinfulness of man. The blight that + withered, the frost that blackened, the earthquake that devoured, were the + messengers of the Creator. + </p> + <p> + The world was governed by Fear. + </p> + <p> + Against all the evils of nature, there was known only the defence of + prayer, of fasting, of credulity, and devotion. <i>Man in his helplessness + endeavored to soften the heart of God</i>. The faces of the multitude were + blanched with fear, and wet with tears; they were the prey of hypocrites, + kings and priests. + </p> + <p> + My heart bleeds when I contemplate the sufferings endured by the millions + now dead; of those who lived when the world appeared to be insane; when + the heavens were filled with an infinite Horror who snatched babes with + dimpled hands and rosy cheeks from the white breasts of mothers, and + dashed them into an abyss of eternal flame. + </p> + <p> + Slowly, beautifully, like the coming of the dawn, came the grand truth, + that the universe is governed by law; that disease fastens itself upon the + good and upon the bad; that the tornado cannot be stopped by counting + beads; that the rushing lava pauses not for bended knees, the lightning + for clasped and uplifted hands, nor the cruel waves of the sea for prayer; + that paying tithes causes, rather than prevents famine; that pleasure is + not sin; that happiness is the only good; that demons and gods exist only + in the imagination; that faith is a lullaby sung to put the soul to sleep; + that devotion is a bribe that fear offers to supposed power; that offering + rewards in another world for obedience in this, is simply buying a soul on + credit; that knowledge consists in ascertaining the laws of nature, and + that wisdom is the science of happiness. Slowly, grandly, beautifully, + these truths are dawning upon mankind. + </p> + <p> + From Copernicus we learned that this earth is only a grain of sand on the + infinite shore of the universe; that everywhere we are surrounded by + shining worlds vastly greater than our own, all moving and existing in + accordance with law. True, the earth began to grow small, but man began to + grow great. + </p> + <p> + The moment the fact was, established that other worlds are governed by + law, it was only natural to conclude that our little world was also under + its dominion. The old theological method of accounting for physical + phenomena by the pleasure and displeasure of the Deity was, by the + intellectual, abandoned. They found that disease, death, life, thought, + heat, cold, the seasons, the winds, the dreams of man, the instinct of + animals,—in short, that all physical and mental phenomena are + governed by law, absolute, eternal and inexorable. + </p> + <p> + Let it be understood that by the term Law is meant the same invariable + relations of succession and resemblance predicated of all facts springing + from like conditions. Law is a fact—not a cause. It is a fact, that + like conditions produce like results: this fact is Law. When we say that + the universe is governed by law, we mean that this fact, called law, is + incapable of change; that it is, has been, and forever will be, the same + inexorable, immutable Fact, inseparable from all phenomena. Law, in this + sense, was not enacted or made. It could not have been otherwise than as + it is. That which necessarily exists has no creator. + </p> + <p> + Only a few years ago this earth was considered the real center of the + universe; all the stars were supposed to revolve around this insignificant + atom. The German mind, more than any other, has done away with this piece + of egotism. Purbach and Mullerus, in the fifteenth century, contributed + most to the advancement of astronomy in their day. To the latter, the + world is indebted for the introduction of decimal fractions, which + completed our arithmetical notation, and formed the second of the three + steps by which, in modern times, the science of numbers has been so + greatly improved; and yet, both of these men believed in the most childish + absurdities, at least in enough of them, to die without their orthodoxy + having ever been suspected. + </p> + <p> + Next came the great Copernicus, and he stands at the head of the heroic + thinkers of his time, who had the courage and the mental strength to break + the chains of prejudice, custom, and authority, and to establish truth on + the basis of experience, observation and reason. He removed the earth, so + to speak, from the centre of the universe, and ascribed to it a two-fold + motion, and demonstrated the true position which it occupies in the solar + system. + </p> + <p> + At his bidding the earth began to revolve. At the command of his genius it + commenced its grand flight mid the eternal constellations round the sun. + </p> + <p> + For fifty years his discoveries were disregarded. All at once, by the + exertions of Galileo, they were kindled into so grand a conflagration as + to consume the philosophy of Aristotle, to alarm the hierarchy of Rome, + and to threaten the existence of every opinion not founded upon + experience, observation, and reason. + </p> + <p> + The earth was no longer considered a universe, governed by the caprices of + some revengeful Deity, who had made the stars out of what he had left + after completing the world, and had stuck them in the sky simply to adorn + the night. + </p> + <p> + I have said this much concerning astronomy because it was the first + splendid step forward! The first sublime blow that shattered the lance and + shivered the shield of superstition; the first real help that man received + from heaven; because it was the first great lever placed beneath the altar + of a false religion; the first revelation of the infinite to man; the + first authoritative declaration, that the universe is governed by law; the + first science that gave the lie direct to the cosmogony of barbarism, and + because it is the sublimest victory that the reason has achieved. + </p> + <p> + In speaking of astronomy, I have confined myself to the discoveries made + since the revival of learning. Long ago, on the banks of the Ganges, ages + before Copernicus lived, Aryabhatta taught that the earth is a sphere, and + revolves on its own axis. This, however, does not detract from the glory + of the great German. The discovery of the Hindu had been lost in the + midnight of Europe—in the age of faith, and Copernicus was as much a + discoverer as though Aryabhatta had never lived. + </p> + <p> + In this short address there is no time to speak of other sciences, and to + point out the particular evidence furnished by each, to establish the + dominion of law, nor to more than mention the name of Descartes, the first + who undertook to give an explanation of the celestial motions, or who + formed the vast and philosophic conception of reducing all the phenomena + of the universe to the same law; of Montaigne, one of the heroes of common + sense; of Galvani, whose experiments gave the telegraph to the world; of + Voltaire, who contributed more than any other of the sons of men to the + destruction of religious intolerance; of August Comte, whose genius + erected to itself a monument that still touches the stars; of Guttenberg, + Watt, Stephenson, Arkwright, all soldiers of science, in the grand army of + the dead kings. + </p> + <p> + The glory of science is, that it is freeing the soul—breaking the + mental manacles—getting the brain out of bondage—giving + courage to thought—filling the world with mercy, justice, and joy. + </p> + <p> + Science found agriculture plowing with a stick reaping with a sickle—commerce + at the mercy of the treacherous waves and the inconstant winds—a + world without books—without schools man denying the authority of + reason, employing his ingenuity in the manufacture of instruments of + torture, in building inquisitions and cathedrals. It found the land filled + with malicious monks—with persecuting Protestants, and the burners + of men. It found a world full of fear; ignorance upon its knees; credulity + the greatest virtue; women treated like beasts of burden; cruelty the only + means of reformation. + </p> + <p> + It found the world at the mercy of disease and famine; men trying to read + their fates in the stars, and to tell their fortunes by signs and wonders; + generals thinking to conquer their enemies by making the sign of the + cross, or by telling a rosary. It found all history full of petty and + ridiculous falsehood, and the Almighty was supposed to spend most of his + time turning sticks into snakes, drowning boys for swimming on Sunday, and + killing little children for the purpose of converting their parents. It + found the earth filled with slaves and tyrants, the people in all + countries downtrodden, half naked, half starved, without hope, and without + reason in the world. + </p> + <p> + Such was the condition of man when the morning of science dawned upon his + brain, and before he had heard the sublime declaration that the universe + is governed by law. + </p> + <p> + For the change that has taken place we are indebted solely to science—the + only lever capable of raising mankind. Abject faith is barbarism; reason + is civilization. To obey is slavish; to act from a sense of obligation + perceived by the reason, is noble. Ignorance worships mystery; Reason + explains it: the one grovels, the other soars. + </p> + <p> + No wonder that fable is the enemy of knowledge. A man with a false diamond + shuns the society of lapidaries, and it is upon this principle that + superstition abhors science. + </p> + <p> + In all ages the people have honored those who dishonored them. They have + worshiped their destroyers; they have canonized the most gigantic liars, + and buried the great thieves in marble and gold. Under the loftiest + monuments sleeps the dust of murder. + </p> + <p> + Imposture has always worn a crown. + </p> + <p> + The world is beginning to change because the people are beginning to + think. To think is to advance. Everywhere the great minds are + investigating the creeds and the superstitions of men—the phenomena + of nature, and the laws of things. At the head of this great army of + investigators stood Humboldt—the serene leader of an intellectual + host—a king by the suffrage of Science, and the divine right of + Genius. + </p> + <p> + And to-day we are not honoring some butcher called a soldier—some + wily politician called a statesman—some robber called a king, nor + some malicious metaphysician called a saint We are honoring the grand + Humboldt, whose victories were all achieved in the arena of thought; who + destroyed prejudice, ignorance and error—not men; who shed light—not + blood, and who contributed to the knowledge, the wealth, and the happiness + of all mankind. + </p> + <p> + His life was pure, his aims lofty, his learning varied and profound, and + his achievements vast. + </p> + <p> + We honor him because he has ennobled our race, because he has contributed + as much as any man living or dead to the real prosperity of the world. We + honor him because he honored us—because he labored for others—because + he was the most learned man of the most learned nation—because he + left a legacy of glory to every human being. For these reasons he is + honored throughout the world. Millions are doing homage to his genius at + this moment, and millions are pronouncing his name with reverence and + recounting what he accomplished. + </p> + <p> + We associate the name of Humboldt with oceans, continents, mountains, and + volcanoes—with the great palms—the wide deserts—the + snow-lipped craters of the Andes—with primeval forests and European + capitals—with wildernesses and universities—with savages and + savans—with the lonely rivers of unpeopled wastes—with peaks + and pampas, and steppes, and cliffs and crags—with the progress of + the world—with every science known to man, and with every star + glittering in the immensity of space. + </p> + <p> + Humboldt adopted none of the soul-shrinking creeds of his day; wasted none + of his time in the stupidities, inanities and contradictions of + theological metaphysics; he did not endeavor to harmonize the astronomy + and geology of a barbarous people with the science of the nineteenth + century. Never, for one moment, did he abandon the sublime standard of + truth; he investigated, he studied, he thought, he separated the gold from + the dross in the crucible of his grand brain. He was never found on his + knees before the altar of superstition. He stood erect by the grand + tranquil column of Reason. He was an admirer, a lover, an adorer of + Nature, and at the age of ninety, bowed by the weight of nearly a century, + covered with the insignia of honor, loved by a nation, respected by a + world, with kings for his servants, he laid his weary head upon her bosom—upon + the bosom of the universal Mother—and with her loving arms around + him, sank into that slumber called Death. + </p> + <p> + History added another name to the starry scroll of the immortals. + </p> + <p> + The world is his monument; upon the eternal granite of her hills he + inscribed his name, and there upon everlasting stone his genius wrote + this, the sublimest of truths: + </p> + <p> + "The Universe is Governed by Law!" + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0004" id="link0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THOMAS PAINE + </h2> + <h3> + With His Name Left Out, the History of Liberty Cannot be Written. + </h3> + <p> + TO speak the praises of the brave and thoughtful dead, is to me a labor of + gratitude and love. + </p> + <p> + Through all the centuries gone, the mind of man has been beleaguered by + the mailed hosts of superstition. Slowly and painfully has advanced the + army of deliverance. Hated by those they wished to rescue, despised by + those they were dying to save, these grand soldiers, these immortal + deliverers, have fought without thanks, labored without applause, suffered + without pity, and they have died execrated and abhorred. For the good of + mankind they accepted isolation, poverty, and calumny. They gave up all, + sacrificed all, lost all but truth and self-respect. + </p> + <p> + One of the bravest soldiers in this army was Thomas Paine; and for one, I + feel indebted to him for the liberty we are enjoying this day. Born among + the poor, where children are burdens; in a country where real liberty was + unknown; where the privileges of class were guarded with infinite + jealousy, and the rights of the individual trampled beneath the feet of + priests and nobles; where to advocate justice was treason; where + intellectual freedom was Infidelity, it is wonderful that the idea of true + liberty ever entered his brain. . + </p> + <p> + Poverty was his mother—Necessity his master. + </p> + <p> + He had more brains than books; more sense than education; more courage + than politeness; more strength than polish. He had no veneration for old + mistakes—no admiration for ancient lies. He loved the truth for the + truth's sake, and for man's sake. He saw oppression on every hand; + injustice everywhere; hypocrisy at the altar, venality on the bench, + tyranny on the throne; and with a splendid courage he espoused the cause + of the weak against the strong—of the enslaved many against the + titled few. + </p> + <p> + In England he was nothing. He belonged to the lower classes. There was no + avenue open for him. The people hugged their chains, and the whole power + of the government was ready to crush any man who endeavored to strike a + blow for the right. + </p> + <p> + At the age of thirty-seven, Thomas Paine left England for America, with + the high hope of being instrumental in the establishment of a free + government. In his own country he could accomplish nothing. Those two + vultures—Church and State—were ready to tear in pieces and + devour the heart of any one who might deny their divine right to enslave + the world. + </p> + <p> + Upon his arrival in this country, he found himself possessed of a letter + of introduction, signed by another Infidel, the illustrious Franklin. + This, and his native genius, constituted his entire capital; and he needed + no more. He found the colonies clamoring for justice; whining about their + grievances; upon their knees at the foot of the throne, imploring that + mixture of idiocy and insanity, George the III., by the grace of God, for + a restoration of their ancient privileges. They were not endeavoring to + become free men, but were trying to soften the heart of their master. They + were perfectly willing to make brick if Pharaoh would furnish the straw. + The colonists wished for, hoped for, and prayed for reconciliation They + did not dream of independence. + </p> + <p> + Paine gave to the world his "Common Sense." It was the first argument for + separation, the first assault upon the British form of government, the + first blow for a republic, and it aroused our fathers like a trumpet's + blast. + </p> + <p> + He was the first to perceive the destiny of the New World. + </p> + <p> + No other pamphlet ever accomplished such wonderful results. It was filled + with argument, reason, persuasion, and unanswerable logic. It opened a new + world. It filled the present with hope and the future with honor. + Everywhere the people responded, and in a few months the Continental + Congress declared the colonies free and independent States. + </p> + <p> + A new nation was born. + </p> + <p> + It is simple justice to say that Paine did more to cause the Declaration + of Independence than any other man. Neither should it be forgotten that + his attacks upon Great Britain were also attacks upon monarchy; and while + he convinced the people that the colonies ought to separate from the + mother country, he also proved to them that a free government is the best + that can be instituted among men. + </p> + <p> + In my judgment, Thomas Paine was the best political writer that ever + lived. "What he wrote was pure nature, and his soul and his pen ever went + together." Ceremony, pageantry, and all the paraphernalia of power, had no + effect upon him. He examined into the why and wherefore of things. He was + perfectly radical in his mode of thought. Nothing short of the bed-rock + satisfied him. His enthusiasm for what he believed to be right knew no + bounds. During all the dark scenes of the Revolution, never for one moment + did he despair. Year after year his brave words were ringing through the + land, and by the bivouac fires the weary soldiers read the inspiring words + of "Common Sense," filled with ideas sharper than their swords, and + consecrated themselves anew to the cause of Freedom. + </p> + <p> + Paine was not content with having aroused the spirit of independence, but + he gave every energy of his soul to keep that spirit alive. He was with + the army. He shared its defeats, its dangers, and its glory. When the + situation became desperate, when gloom settled upon all, he gave them the + "Crisis." It was a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, leading the + way to freedom, honor, and glory. He shouted to them, "These are the times + that try men's souls. The summer soldier, and the sunshine patriot, will, + in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands + it now deserves the love and thanks of man and woman." + </p> + <p> + To those who wished to put the war off to some future day, with a lofty + and touching spirit of self-sacrifice he said: "Every generous parent + should say, 'If there must be war let it be in my day, that my child may + have peace.'" To the cry that Americans were rebels, he replied: "He that + rebels against reason is a real rebel; but he that in defence of reason + rebels against tyranny, has a better title to 'Defender of the Faith' than + George the Third." + </p> + <p> + Some said it was not to the interest of the colonies to be free. Paine + answered this by saying, "To know whether it be the interest of the + continent to be independent, we need ask only this simple, easy question: + 'Is it the interest of a man to be a boy all his life?'" He found many who + would listen to nothing, and to them he said, "That to argue with a man + who has renounced his reason is like giving medicine to the dead." This + sentiment ought to adorn the walls of every orthodox church. + </p> + <p> + There is a world of political wisdom in this: "England lost her liberty in + a long chain of right reasoning from wrong principles"; and there is real + discrimination in saying, "The Greeks and Romans were strongly possessed + of the spirit of liberty, but not the principles, for at the time that + they were determined not to be slaves themselves, they employed their + power to enslave the rest of mankind." + </p> + <p> + In his letter to the British people, in which he tried to convince them + that war was not to their interest, occurs the following passage brimful + of common sense: "War never can be the interest of a trading nation any + more than quarreling can be profitable to a man in business. But to make + war with those who trade with us is like setting a bull-dog upon a + customer at the shop-door." + </p> + <p> + The writings of Paine fairly glitter with simple, compact, logical + statements, that carry conviction to the dullest and most prejudiced. He + had the happiest possible way of putting the case; in asking questions in + such a way that they answer themselves, and in stating his premises so + clearly that the deduction could not be avoided. + </p> + <p> + Day and night he labored for America; month after month, year after year, + he gave himself to the Great Cause, until there was "a government of the + people and for the people," and until the banner of the stars floated over + a continent redeemed, and consecrated to the happiness of mankind. + </p> + <p> + At the close of the Revolution, no one stood higher in America than Thomas + Paine. The best, the wisest, the most patriotic, were his friends and + admirers; and had he been thinking only of his own good he might have + rested from his toils and spent the remainder of his life in comfort and + in ease. He could have been what the world is pleased to call + "respectable." He could have died surrounded by clergymen, warriors and + statesmen. At his death there would have been an imposing funeral, miles + of carriages, civic societies, salvos of artillery, a nation in mourning, + and, above all, a splendid monument covered with lies. + </p> + <p> + He chose rather to benefit mankind. + </p> + <p> + At that time the seeds sown by the great Infidels were beginning to bear + fruit in France. The people were beginning to think. + </p> + <p> + The Eighteenth Century was crowning its gray hairs with the wreath of + Progress. + </p> + <p> + On every hand Science was bearing testimony against the Church. Voltaire + had filled Europe with light; D'Holbach was giving to the <i>élite</i> + of Paris the principles contained in his "System of Nature." The + Encyclopedists had attacked superstition with information for the masses. + The foundation of things began to be examined. A few had the courage to + keep their shoes on and let the bush burn. Miracles began to get scarce. + Everywhere the people began to inquire. America had set an example to the + world. The word Liberty was in the mouths of men, and they began to wipe + the dust from their knees. + </p> + <p> + The dawn of a new day had appeared. + </p> + <p> + Thomas Paine went to France. Into the new movement he threw all his + energies. His fame had gone before him, and he was welcomed as a friend of + the human race, and as a champion of free government. + </p> + <p> + He had never relinquished his intention of pointing out to his countrymen + the defects, absurdities and abuses of the English government For this + purpose he composed and published his greatest political work, "The Rights + of Man." This work should be read by every man and woman. It is concise, + accurate, natural, convincing, and unanswerable. It shows great thought; + an intimate knowledge of the various forms of government; deep insight + into the very springs of human action, and a courage that compels respect + and admiration. The most difficult political problems are solved in a few + sentences. The venerable arguments in favor of wrong are refuted with a + question—answered with a word. For forcible illustration, apt + comparison, accuracy and clearness of statement, and absolute + thoroughness, it has never been excelled. + </p> + <p> + The fears of the administration were aroused, and Paine was prosecuted for + libel and found guilty; and yet there is not a sentiment in the entire + work that will not challenge the admiration of every civilized man. It is + a magazine of political wisdom, an arsenal of ideas, and an honor, not + only to Thomas Paine, but to human nature itself. It could have been + written only by the man who had the generosity, the exalted patriotism, + the goodness to say, "The world is my country, and to do good my + religion." + </p> + <p> + There is in all the utterances of the world no grander, no sublimer + sentiment. There is no creed that can be compared with it for a moment. It + should be wrought in gold, adorned with jewels, and impressed upon every + human heart: "The world is my country, and to do good my religion." + </p> + <p> + In 1792, Paine was elected by the department of Calais as their + representative in the National Assembly. So great was his popularity in + France that he was selected about the same time by the people of no less + than four departments. + </p> + <p> + Upon taking his place in the Assembly he was appointed as one of a + committee to draft a constitution for France. Had the French people taken + the advice of Thomas Paine there would have been no "reign of terror." The + streets of Paris would not have been filled with blood The Revolution + would have been the grandest success of the world. The truth is that Paine + was too conservative to suit the leaders of the French Revolution. They, + to a great extent, were carried away by hatred, and a desire to destroy. + They had suffered so long, they had borne so much, that it was impossible + for them to be moderate in the hour of victory. + </p> + <p> + Besides all this, the French people had been so robbed by the government, + so degraded by the church, that they were not fit material with which to + construct a republic. Many of the leaders longed to establish a beneficent + and just government, but the people asked for revenge. + </p> + <p> + Paine was filled with a real love for mankind. His philanthropy was + boundless. He wished to destroy monarchy—not the monarch. He voted + for the destruction of tyranny, and against the death of the king. He + wished to establish a government on a new basis; one that would forget the + past; one that would give privileges to none, and protection to all. + </p> + <p> + In the Assembly, where nearly all were demanding the execution of the king—where + to differ from the majority was to be suspected, and, where to be + suspected was almost certain death Thomas Paine had the courage, the + goodness and the justice to vote against death. To vote against the + execution of the king was a vote against his own life. This was the + sublimity of devotion to principle. For this he was arrested, imprisoned, + and doomed to death. + </p> + <p> + Search the records of the world and you will find but few sublimer acts + than that of Thomas Paine voting against the kings death. He, the hater of + despotism, the abhorrer of monarchy, the champion of the rights of man, + the republican, accepting death to save the life of a deposed tyrant—of + a throneless king. This was the last grand act of his political life—the + sublime conclusion of his political career. + </p> + <p> + All his life he had been the disinterested friend of man. He had labored—not + for money, not for fame, but for the general good. He had aspired to no + office; had asked no recognition of his services, but had ever been + content to labor as a common soldier in the army of Progress. Confining + his efforts to no country, looking upon the world as his field of action, + filled with a genuine love for the right, he found himself imprisoned by + the very people he had striven to save. + </p> + <p> + Had his enemies succeeded in bringing him to the block, he would have + escaped the calumnies and the hatred of the Christian world. In this + country, at least, he would have ranked with the proudest names. On the + anniversary of the Declaration his name would have been upon the lips of + all the orators, and his memory in the hearts of all the people. + </p> + <p> + Thomas Paine had not finished his career. + </p> + <p> + He had spent his life thus far in destroying the power of kings, and now + he turned his attention to the priests. He knew that every abuse had been + embalmed in Scripture—that every outrage was in partnership with + some holy text. He knew that the throne skulked behind the altar, and both + behind a pretended revelation from God. By this time he had found that it + was of little use to free the body and leave the mind in chains. He had + explored the foundations of despotism, and had found them infinitely + rotten. He had dug under the throne, and it occurred to him that he would + take a look behind the altar. + </p> + <p> + The result of his investigations was given to the world in the "Age of + Reason." From the moment of its publication he became infamous. He was + calumniated beyond measure. To slander him was to secure the thanks of the + church. All his services were instantly forgotten, disparaged or denied. + He was shunned as though he had been a pestilence. Most of his old friends + forsook him. He was regarded as a moral plague, and at the bare mention of + his name the bloody hands of the church were raised in horror. He was + denounced as the most despicable of men. + </p> + <p> + Not content with following him to his grave, they pursued him after death + with redoubled fury, and recounted with infinite gusto and satisfaction + the supposed horrors of his death-bed; gloried in the fact that he was + forlorn and friendless, and gloated like fiends over what they supposed to + be the agonizing remorse of his lonely death. + </p> + <p> + It is wonderful that all his services were thus forgotten. It is amazing + that one kind word did not fall from some pulpit; that some one did not + accord to him, at least—honesty. Strange, that in the general + denunciation some one did not remember his labor for liberty, his devotion + to principle, his zeal for the rights of his fellow-men. He had, by brave + and splendid effort, associated his name with the cause of Progress. He + had made it impossible to write the history of political freedom with his + name left out He was one of the creators of light; one of the heralds of + the dawn. He hated tyranny in the name of kings, and in the name of God, + with every drop of his noble blood. He believed in liberty and justice, + and in the sacred doctrine of human equality. Under these divine banners + he fought the battle of his life. In both worlds he offered his blood for + the good of man. In the wilderness of America, in the French Assembly, in + the sombre cell waiting for death, he was the same unflinching, unwavering + friend of his race; the same undaunted champion of universal freedom. And + for this he has been hated; for this the church has violated even his + grave. + </p> + <p> + This is enough to make one believe that nothing is more natural than for + men to devour their benefactors. The people in all ages have crucified and + glorified. Whoever lifts his voice against abuses, whoever arraigns the + past at the bar of the present, whoever asks the king to show his + commission, or questions the authority of the priest, will be denounced as + the enemy of man and God. In all ages reason has been regarded as the + enemy of religion. Nothing has been considered so pleasing to the Deity as + a total denial of the authority of your own mind. Self-reliance has been + thought a deadly sin; and the idea of living and dying without the aid and + consolation of superstition has always horrified the church. By some + unaccountable infatuation, belief has been and still is considered of + immense importance. All religions have been based upon the idea that God + will forever reward the true believer, and eternally damn the man who + doubts or denies. Belief is regarded as the one essential thing. To + practice justice, to love mercy, is not enough. You must believe in some + incomprehensible creed. You must say, "Once one is three, and three times + one is one." The man who practiced every virtue, but failed to believe, + was execrated. Nothing so outrages the feelings of the church as a moral + unbeliever—nothing so horrible as a charitable Atheist. + </p> + <p> + When Paine was born, the world was religious, the pulpit was the real + throne, and the churches were making every effort to crush out of the + brain the idea that it had the right to think. + </p> + <p> + The splendid saying of Lord Bacon, that "the inquiry of truth, which is + the love-making or wooing of it, the knowledge of truth, which is the + presence of it, and the belief of truth, which is the enjoying of it, are + the sovereign good of human nature," has been, and ever will be, rejected + by religionists. Intellectual liberty, as a matter of necessity, forever + destroys the idea that belief is either praise or blame-worthy, and is + wholly inconsistent with every creed in Christendom. Paine recognized this + truth. He also saw that as long as the Bible was considered inspired, this + infamous doctrine of the virtue of belief would be believed and preached. + He examined the Scriptures for himself, and found them filled with + cruelty, absurdity and immorality. + </p> + <p> + He again made up his mind to sacrifice himself for the good of his + fellow-men. + </p> + <p> + He commenced with the assertion, "That any system of religion that has + anything in it that shocks the mind of a child cannot be a true system." + What a beautiful, what a tender sentiment! No wonder the church began to + hate him. He believed in one God, and no more. After this life he hoped + for happiness. He believed that true religion consisted in doing justice, + loving mercy, in endeavoring to make our fellow-creatures happy, and in + offering to God the fruit of the heart. He denied the inspiration of the + Scriptures. This was his crime. + </p> + <p> + He contended that it is a contradiction in terms to call anything a + revelation that comes to us second-hand, either verbally or in writing. He + asserted that revelation is necessarily limited to the first + communication, and that after that it is only an account of something + which another person says was a revelation to him. We have only his word + for it, as it was never made to us. This argument never has been and + probably never will be answered. He denied the divine origin of Christ, + and showed conclusively that the pretended prophecies of the Old Testament + had no reference to him whatever; and yet he believed that Christ was a + virtuous and amiable man; that the morality he taught and practiced was of + the most benevolent and elevated character, and that it had not been + exceeded by any. Upon this point he entertained the same sentiments now + held by the Unitarians, and in fact by all the most enlightened + Christians. + </p> + <p> + In his time the church believed and taught that every word in the Bible + was absolutely true. Since his day it has been proven false in its + cosmogony, false in its astronomy, false in its chronology, false in its + history, and so far as the Old Testament is concerned, false in almost + everything. There are but few, if any, scientific men who apprehend that + the Bible is literally true. Who on earth at this day would pretend to + settle any scientific question by a text from the Bible? The old belief is + confined to the ignorant and zealous. The church itself will before long + be driven to occupy the position of Thomas Paine. The best minds of the + orthodox world, to-day, are endeavoring to prove the existence of a + personal Deity. All other questions occupy a minor place. You are no + longer asked to swallow the Bible whole, whale, Jonah and all; you are + simply required to believe in God, and pay your pew-rent. There is not now + an enlightened minister in the world who will seriously contend that + Samson's strength was in his hair, or that the necromancers of Egypt could + turn water into blood, and pieces of wood into serpents. These follies + have passed away, and the only reason that the religious world can now + have for disliking Paine is that they have been forced to adopt so many of + his opinions. + </p> + <p> + Paine thought the barbarities of the Old Testament inconsistent with what + he deemed the real character of God. He believed that murder, massacre and + indiscriminate slaughter had never been commanded by the Deity. He + regarded much of the Bible as childish, unimportant and foolish The + scientific world entertains the same opinion. Paine attacked the Bible + precisely in the same spirit in which he had attacked the pretensions of + kings. He used the same weapons. All the pomp in the world could not make + him cower. His reason knew no "Holy of Holies," except the abode of Truth. + The sciences were then in their infancy. The attention of the really + learned had not been directed to an impartial examination of our pretended + revelation. It was accepted by most as a matter of course. The church was + all-powerful, and no one, unless thoroughly imbued with the spirit of + self-sacrifice, thought for a moment of disputing the fundamental + doctrines of Christianity. The infamous doctrines that salvation depends + upon belief—upon a mere intellectual conviction—was then + believed and preached. To doubt was to secure the damnation of your soul. + This absurd and devilish doctrine shocked the common sense of Thomas + Paine, and he denounced it with the fervor of honest indignation. This + doctrine, although infinitely ridiculous, has been nearly universal, and + has been as hurtful as senseless. For the overthrow of this infamous + tenet, Paine exerted all his strength. He left few arguments to be used by + those who should come after him, and he used none that have been refuted. + The combined wisdom and genius of all mankind cannot possibly conceive of + an argument against liberty of thought. Neither can they show why any one + should be punished, either in this world or another, for acting honestly + in accordance with reason; and yet a doctrine with every possible argument + against it has been, and still is, believed and defended by the entire + orthodox world. Can it be possible that we have been endowed with reason + simply that our souls may be caught in its toils and snares, that we may + be led by its false and delusive glare out of the narrow path that leads + to joy into the broad way of everlasting death? Is it possible that we + have been given reason simply that we may through faith ignore its + deductions, and avoid its conclusions? Ought the sailor to throw away his + compass and depend entirely upon the fog? If reason is not to be depended + upon in matters of religion, that is to say, in respect of our duties to + the Deity, why should it be relied upon in matters respecting the rights + of our fellows? Why should we throw away the laws given to Moses by God + himself and have the audacity to make some of our own? How dare we drown + the thunders of Sinai by calling the ayes and noes in a petty legislature? + If reason can determine what is merciful, what is just, the duties of man + to man, what more do we want either in time or eternity? + </p> + <p> + Down, forever down, with any religion that requires upon its ignorant + altar the sacrifice of the goddess Reason, that compels her to abdicate + forever the shining throne of the soul, strips from her form the imperial + purple, snatches from her hand the sceptre of thought and makes her the + bond-woman of a senseless faith! + </p> + <p> + If a man should tell you that he had the most beautiful painting in the + world, and after taking you where it was should insist upon having your + eyes shut, you would likely suspect, either that he had no painting or + that it was some pitiable daub. Should he tell you that he was a most + excellent performer on the violin, and yet refuse to play unless your ears + were stopped, you would think, to say the least of it, that he had an odd + way of convincing you of his musical ability. But would his conduct be any + more wonderful than that of a religionist who asks that before examining + his creed you will have the kindness to throw away your reason? The first + gentleman says, "Keep your eyes shut, my picture will bear everything but + being seen;" "Keep your ears stopped, my music objects to nothing but + being heard." The last says, "Away with your reason, my religion dreads + nothing but being understood." + </p> + <p> + So far as I am concerned, I most cheerfully admit that most Christians are + honest, and most ministers sincere. We do not attack them; we attack their + creed. We accord to them the same rights that we ask for ourselves. We + believe that their doctrines are hurtful. We believe that the frightful + text, "He that believes shall be saved and he that believeth not shall be + damned," has covered the earth with blood. It has filled the heart with + arrogance, cruelty and murder. It has caused the religious wars; bound + hundreds of thousands to the stake; founded inquisitions; filled dungeons; + invented instruments of torture; taught the mother to hate her child; + imprisoned the mind; filled the world with ignorance; persecuted the + lovers of wisdom; built the monasteries and convents; made happiness a + crime, investigation a sin, and self-reliance a blasphemy. It has poisoned + the springs of learning; misdirected the energies of the world; filled all + countries with want; housed the people in hovels; fed them with famine; + and but for the efforts of a few brave Infidels it would have taken the + world back to the midnight of barbarism, and left the heavens without a + star. + </p> + <p> + The maligners of Paine say that he had no right to attack this doctrine, + because he was unacquainted with the dead languages; and for this reason, + it was a piece of pure impudence in him to investigate the Scriptures. + </p> + <p> + Is it necessary to understand Hebrew in order to know that cruelty is not + a virtue, that murder is inconsistent with infinite goodness, and that + eternal punishment can be inflicted upon man only by an eternal fiend? Is + it really essential to conjugate the Greek verbs before you can make up + your mind as to the probability of dead people getting out of their + graves? Must one be versed in Latin before he is entitled to express his + opinion as to the genuineness of a pretended revelation from God? Common + sense belongs exclusively to no tongue. Logic is not confined to, nor has + it been buried with, the dead languages. Paine attacked the Bible as it is + translated. If the translation is wrong, let its defenders correct it. + </p> + <p> + The Christianity of Paine's day is not the Christianity of our time. There + has been a great improvement since then. One hundred and fifty years ago + the foremost preachers of our time would have perished at the stake. A + Universalist would have been torn in pieces in England, Scotland, and + America. Unitarians would have found themselves in the stocks, pelted by + the rabble with dead cats, after which their ears would have been cut off, + their tongues bored, and their foreheads branded. Less than one hundred + and fifty years ago the following law was in force in Maryland: + </p> + <p> + "Be it enacted by the Right Honorable, the Lord Proprietor, by and with + the advice and consent of his Lordship's governor, and the upper and lower + houses of the Assembly, and the authority of the same: + </p> + <p> + "That if any person shall hereafter, within this province, wittingly, + maliciously, and advisedly, by writing or speaking, blaspheme or curse + God, or deny our Saviour, Jesus Christ, to be the Son of God, or shall + deny the Holy Trinity, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, or the Godhead of + any of the three persons, or the unity of the Godhead, or shall utter any + profane words concerning the Holy Trinity, or any of the persons thereof, + and shall thereof be convict by verdict, shall, for the first offence, be + bored through the tongue, and fined twenty pounds to be levied of his + body. And for the second offence, the offender shall be stigmatized by + burning in the forehead with the letter B, and fined forty pounds. And + that for the third offence the offender shall suffer death without the + benefit of clergy." + </p> + <p> + The strange thing about this law is, that it has never been repealed, and + is still in force in the District of Columbia. Laws like this were in + force in most of the colonies, and in all countries where the church had + power. + </p> + <p> + In the Old Testament, the death penalty is attached to hundreds of + offences. It has been the same in all Christian countries. To-day, in + civilized governments, the death penalty is attached only to murder and + treason; and in some it has been entirely abolished. What a commentary + upon the divine systems of the world! + </p> + <p> + In the day of Thomas Paine, the church was ignorant, bloody and + relentless. In Scotland the "Kirk" was at the summit of its power. It was + a full sister of the Spanish Inquisition. It waged war upon human nature. + It was the enemy of happiness, the hater of joy, and the despiser of + religious liberty. It taught parents to murder their children rather than + to allow them to propagate error. If the mother held opinions of which the + infamous "Kirk" disapproved, her children were taken from her arms, her + babe from her very bosom, and she was not allowed to see them, or to write + them a word. It would not allow shipwrecked sailors to be rescued from + drowning on Sunday. It sought to annihilate pleasure, to pollute the heart + by filling it with religious cruelty and gloom, and to change mankind into + a vast horde of pious, heartless fiends. One of the most famous Scotch + divines said: "The Kirk holds that religious toleration is not far from + blasphemy." And this same Scotch Kirk denounced, beyond measure, the man + who had the moral grandeur to say, "The world is my country, and to do + good my religion." And this same Kirk abhorred the man who said, "Any + system of religion that shocks the mind of a child cannot be a true + system." + </p> + <p> + At that time nothing so delighted the church as the beauties of endless + torment, and listening to the weak wailings of damned infants struggling + in the slimy coils and poison-folds of the worm that never dies. + </p> + <p> + About the beginning of the nineteenth century, a boy by the name of Thomas + Aikenhead, was indicted and tried at Edinburgh for having denied the + inspiration of the Scriptures, and for having, on several occasions, when + cold, wished himself in hell that he might get warm. Notwithstanding the + poor boy recanted and begged for mercy, he was found guilty and hanged. + His body was thrown in a hole at the foot of the scaffold and covered with + stones. + </p> + <p> + Prosecutions and executions like this were common in every Christian + country, and all of them were based upon the belief that an intellectual + conviction is a crime. + </p> + <p> + No wonder the church hated and traduced the author of the "Age of Reason." + </p> + <p> + England was filled with Puritan gloom and Episcopal ceremony. All + religious conceptions were of the grossest nature. The ideas of crazy + fanatics and extravagant poets were taken as sober facts. Milton had + clothed Christianity in the soiled and faded finery of the gods—had + added to the story of Christ the fables of Mythology. He gave to the + Protestant Church the most outrageously material ideas of the Deity. He + turned all the angels into soldiers—made heaven a battlefield, put + Christ in uniform, and described God as a militia general. His works were + considered by the Protestants nearly as sacred as the Bible itself, and + the imagination of the people was thoroughly polluted by the horrible + imagery, the sublime absurdity of the blind Milton. + </p> + <p> + Heaven and hell were realities—the judgment-day was expected—books + of account would be opened. Every man would hear the charges against him + read. God was supposed to sit on a golden throne, surrounded by the + tallest angels, with harps in their hands and crowns on their heads. The + goats would be thrust into eternal fire on the left, while the orthodox + sheep, on the right, were to gambol on sunny slopes forever and forever. + </p> + <p> + The nation was profoundly ignorant, and consequently extremely religious, + so far as belief was concerned. + </p> + <p> + In Europe, Liberty was lying chained in the Inquisition—her white + bosom stained with blood. In the New World the Puritans had been hanging + and burning in the name of God, and selling white Quaker children into + slavery in the name of Christ, who said, "Suffer little children to come + unto me." + </p> + <p> + Under such conditions progress was impossible. Some one had to lead the + way. The church is, and always has been, incapable of a forward movement. + Religion always looks back. The church has already reduced Spain to a + guitar, Italy to a hand-organ, and Ireland to exile. + </p> + <p> + Some one not connected with the church had to attack the monster that was + eating out the heart of the world. Some one had to sacrifice himself for + the good of all. The people were in the most abject slavery; their manhood + had been taken from them by pomp, by pageantry and power. Progress is born + of doubt and inquiry. + </p> + <p> + The church never doubts—never inquires. To doubt is heresy—to + inquire is to admit that you do not know—the church does neither. + </p> + <p> + More than a century ago Catholisism, wrapped in robes red with the + innocent blood of millions, holding in her frantic clutch crowns and + scepters, honors and gold, the keys of heaven and hell, trampling beneath + her feet the liberties of nations, in the proud moment of almost universal + dominion, felt within her heartless breast the deadly dagger of Voltaire. + From that blow the church never can recover. Livid with hatred she + launched her eternal anathema at the great destroyer, and ignorant + Protestants have echoed the curse of Rome. + </p> + <p> + In our country the church was all-powerful, and although divided into many + sects, would instantly unite to repel a common foe. + </p> + <p> + Paine struck the first grand blow. + </p> + <p> + The "Age of Reason" did more to undermine the power of the Protestant + Church than all other books then known. It furnished an immense amount of + food for thought. It was written for the average mind, and is a + straightforward, honest investigation of the Bible, and of the Christian + system. + </p> + <p> + Paine did not falter, from the first page to the last. He gives you his + candid thought, and candid thoughts are always valuable. + </p> + <p> + The "Age of Reason" has liberalized us all. It put arguments in the mouths + of the people; it put the church on the defensive; it enabled somebody in + every village to corner the parson; it made the world wiser, and the + church better; it took power from the pulpit and divided it among the + pews. + </p> + <p> + Just in proportion that the human race has advanced, the church has lost + power. There is no exception to this rule. + </p> + <p> + No nation ever materially advanced that held strictly to the religion of + its founders. + </p> + <p> + No nation ever gave itself wholly to the control of the church without + losing its power, its honor, and existence. + </p> + <p> + Every church pretends to have found the exact truth. This is the end of + progress. Why pursue that which you have? Why investigate when you know? + </p> + <p> + Every creed is a rock in running water: humanity sweeps by it. Every creed + cries to the universe, "Halt!" A creed is the ignorant Past bullying the + enlightened Present. + </p> + <p> + The ignorant are not satisfied with what can be demonstrated. Science is + too slow for them, and so they invent creeds. They demand completeness. A + sublime segment, a grand fragment, are of no value to them. They demand + the complete circle—the entire structure. + </p> + <p> + In music they want a melody with a recurring accent at measured periods. + In religion they insist upon immediate answers to the questions of + creation and destiny. The alpha and omega of all things must be in the + alphabet of their superstition. A religion that cannot answer every + question, and guess every conundrum is, in their estimation, worse than + worthless. They desire a kind of theological dictionary—a religious + ready reckoner, together with guide-boards at all crossings and turns. + They mistake impudence for authority, solemnity for wisdom, and bathos for + inspiration. The beginning and the end are what they demand. The grand + flight of the eagle is nothing to them. They want the nest in which he was + hatched, and especially the dry limb upon which he roosts. Anything that + can be learned is hardly worth knowing. The present is considered of no + value in itself. Happiness must not be expected this side of the clouds, + and can only be attained by self-denial and faith; not selfdenial for the + good of others, but for the salvation of your own sweet self. + </p> + <p> + Paine denied the authority of bibles and creeds; this was his crime, and + for this the world shut the door in his face, and emptied its slops upon + him from the windows. + </p> + <p> + I challenge the world to show that Thomas Paine ever wrote one line, one + word in favor of tyranny—in favor of immorality; one line, one word + against what he believed to be for the highest and best interest of + mankind; one line, one word against justice, charity, or liberty, and yet + he has been pursued as though he had been a fiend from hell. His memory + has been execrated as though he had murdered some Uriah for his wife; + driven some Hagar into the desert to starve with his child upon her bosom; + defiled his own daughters; ripped open with the sword the sweet bodies of + loving and innocent women; advised one brother to assassinate another; + kept a harem with seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines, or had + persecuted Christians even unto strange cities. + </p> + <p> + The church has pursued Paine to deter others. No effort has been in any + age of the world spared to crush out opposition. The church used painting, + music and architecture, simply to degrade mankind. But there are men that + nothing can awe. There have been at all times brave spirits that dared + even the gods. Some proud head has always been above the waves. In every + age some Diogenes has sacrificed to all the gods. True genius never + cowers, and there is always some Samson feeling for the pillars of + authority. + </p> + <p> + Cathedrals and domes, and chimes and chants.—temples frescoed and + groined and carved, and gilded with gold—altars and tapers, and + paintings of virgin and babe—censer and chalice—chasuble, + paten and alb—organs, and anthems and incense rising to the winged + and blest—maniple, amice and stole—crosses and crosiers, + tiaras and crowns—mitres and missals and masses—rosaries, + relics and robes—martyrs and saints, and windows stained as with the + blood of Christ—never, never for one moment awed the brave, proud + spirit of the Infidel. He knew that all the pomp and glitter had been + purchased with Liberty—that priceless jewel of the soul. In looking + at the cathedral he remembered the dungeon. The music of the organ was not + loud enough to drown the clank of fetters. He could not forget that the + taper had lighted the fagot. He knew that the cross adorned the hilt of + the sword, and so where others worshiped, he wept and scorned. + </p> + <p> + The doubter, the investigator, the Infidel, have been the saviors of + liberty. This truth is beginning to be realized, and the truly + intellectual are honoring the brave thinkers of the past. + </p> + <p> + But the church is as unforgiving as ever, and still wonders why any + Infidel should be wicked enough to endeavor to destroy her power. + </p> + <p> + I will tell the church why. + </p> + <p> + You have imprisoned the human mind; you have been the enemy of liberty; + you have burned us at the stake—wasted us upon slow fires—torn + our flesh with iron; you have covered us with chains—treated us as + outcasts; you have filled the world with fear; you have taken our wives + and children from our arms; you have confiscated our property; you have + denied us the right to testify in courts of justice; you have branded us + with infamy; you have torn out our tongues; you have refused us burial. In + the name of your religion, you have robbed us of every right; and after + having inflicted upon us every evil that can be inflicted in this world, + you have fallen upon your knees, and with clasped hands implored your God + to torment us forever. + </p> + <p> + Can you wonder that we hate your doctrines—that we despise your + creeds—that we feel proud to know that we are beyond your power—that + we are free in spite of you—that we can express our honest thought, + and that the whole world is grandly rising into the blessed light? + </p> + <p> + Can you wonder that we point with pride to the fact that Infidelity has + ever been found battling for the rights of man, for the liberty of + conscience, and for the happiness of all? + </p> + <p> + Can you wonder that we are proud to know that we have always been + disciples of Reason, and soldiers of Freedom; that we have denounced + tyranny and superstition, and have kept our hands unstained with human + blood? + </p> + <p> + We deny that religion is the end or object of this life. When it is so + considered it becomes destructive of happiness—the real end of life. + It becomes a hydra-headed monster, reaching in terrible coils from the + heavens, and thrusting its thousand fangs into the bleeding, quivering + hearts of men. It devours their substance, builds palaces for God, (who + dwells not in temples made with hands,) and allows his children to die in + huts and hovels. It fills the earth with mourning, heaven with hatred, the + present with fear, and all the future with despair. + </p> + <p> + Virtue is a subordination of the passions to the intellect. It is to act + in accordance with your highest convictions. It does not consist in + believing, but in doing. This is the sublime truth that the Infidels in + all ages have uttered. They have handed the torch from one to the other + through all the years that have fled. Upon the altar of Reason they have + kept the sacred fire, and through the long midnight of faith they fed the + divine flame. + </p> + <p> + Infidelity is liberty; all religion is slavery. In every creed man is the + slave of God—woman is the slave of man and the sweet children are + the slaves of all. + </p> + <p> + We do not want creeds; we want knowledge—we want happiness. + </p> + <p> + And yet we are told by the church that we have accomplished nothing; that + we are simply destroyers; that we tear down without building again. + </p> + <p> + Is it nothing to free the mind? Is it nothing to civilize mankind? Is it + nothing to fill the world with light, with discovery, with science? Is it + nothing to dignify man and exalt the intellect? Is it nothing to grope + your way into the dreary prisons, the damp and dropping dungeons, the dark + and silent cells of superstition, where the souls of men are chained to + floors of stone; to greet them like a ray of light, like the song of a + bird, the murmur of a stream; to see the dull eyes open and grow slowly + bright; to feel yourself grasped by the shrunken and unused hands, and + hear yourself thanked by a strange and hollow voice? + </p> + <p> + Is it nothing to conduct these souls gradually into the blessed light of + day—to let them see again the happy fields, the sweet, green earth, + and hear the everlasting music of the waves? Is it nothing to make men + wipe the dust from their swollen knees, the tears from their blanched and + furrowed cheeks? Is it a small thing to reave the heavens of an insatiate + monster and write upon the eternal dome, glittering with stars, the grand + word—Freedom? + </p> + <p> + Is it a small thing to quench the flames of hell with the holy tears of + pity—to unbind the martyr from the stake—break all the chains—put + out the fires of civil war—stay the sword of the fanatic, and tear + the bloody hands of the Church from the white throat of Science? + </p> + <p> + Is it a small thing to make men truly free—to destroy the dogmas of + ignorance, prejudice and power—the poisoned fables of superstition, + and drive from the beautiful face of the earth the fiend of Fear? + </p> + <p> + It does seem as though the most zealous Christian must at times entertain + some doubt as to the divine origin of his religion. For eighteen hundred + years the doctrine has been preached. For more than a thousand years the + church had, to a great extent, the control of the civilized world, and + what has been the result? Are the Christian nations patterns of charity + and forbearance? On the contrary, their principal business is to destroy + each other. More than five millions of Christians are trained, educated, + and drilled to murder their fellow-christians. Every nation is groaning + under a vast debt incurred in carrying on war against other Christians, or + defending itself from Christian assault. The world is covered with forts + to protect Christians from Christians, and every sea is covered with iron + monsters ready to blow Christian brains into eternal froth. Millions upon + millions are annually expended in the effort to construct still more + deadly and terrible engines of death. Industry is crippled, honest toil is + robbed, and even beggary is taxed to defray the expenses of Christian + warfare. There must be some other way to reform this world. We have tried + creed, and dogma and fable, and they have failed; and they have failed in + all the nations dead. + </p> + <p> + The people perish for the lack of knowledge. + </p> + <p> + Nothing but education—scientific education—can benefit + mankind. We must find out the laws of nature and conform to them. + </p> + <p> + We need free bodies and free minds,—free labor and free thought,—chainless + hands and fetterless brains. Free labor will give us wealth. Free thought + will give us truth. + </p> + <p> + We need men with moral courage to speak and write their real thoughts, and + to stand by their convictions, even to the very death. We need have no + fear of being too radical. The future will verify all grand and brave + predictions. Paine was splendidly in advance of his time; but he was + orthodox compared with the Infidels of to-day. + </p> + <p> + Science, the great Iconoclast, has been busy since 1809, and by the + highway of Progress are the broken images of the Past. + </p> + <p> + On every hand the people advance. The Vicar of God has been pushed from + the throne of the Caesars, and upon the roofs of the Eternal City falls + once more the shadow of the Eagle. + </p> + <p> + All has been accomplished by the heroic few. The men of science have + explored heaven and earth, and with infinite patience have furnished the + facts. The brave thinkers have used them. The gloomy caverns of + superstition have been transformed into temples of thought, and the demons + of the past are the angels of to-day. + </p> + <p> + Science took a handful of sand, constructed a telescope, and with it + explored the starry depths of heaven. Science wrested from the gods their + thunderbolts; and now, the electric spark, freighted with thought and + love, flashes under all the waves of the sea. Science took a tear from the + cheek of unpaid labor, converted it into steam, created a giant that turns + with tireless arm, the countless wheels of toil. + </p> + <p> + Thomas Paine was one of the intellectual heroes—one of the men to + whom we are indebted. His name is associated forever with the Great + Republic. As long as free government exists he will be remembered, admired + and honored. + </p> + <p> + He lived a long, laborious and useful life. The world is better for his + having lived. For the sake of truth he accepted hatred and reproach for + his portion. He ate the bitter bread of sorrow. His friends were untrue to + him because he was true to himself, and true to them. He lost the respect + of what is called society, but kept his own. His life is what the world + calls failure and what history calls success. + </p> + <p> + If to love your fellow-men more than self is goodness, Thomas Paine was + good. + </p> + <p> + If to be in advance of your time—to be a pioneer in the direction of + right—is greatness, Thomas Paine was great. + </p> + <p> + If to avow your principles and discharge your duty in the presence of + death is heroic, Thomas Paine was a hero. + </p> + <p> + At the age of seventy-three, death touched his tired heart. He died in the + land his genius defended—under the flag he gave to the skies. + Slander cannot touch him now—hatred cannot reach him more. He sleeps + in the sanctuary of the tomb, beneath the quiet of the stars. + </p> + <p> + A few more years—a few more brave men—a few more rays of + light, and mankind will venerate the memory of him who said: + </p> + <p> + "ANY SYSTEM OF RELIGION THAT SHOCKS THE MIND OF A CHILD CANNOT BE A TRUE + SYSTEM;" + </p> + <p> + "The world is my Country, and to do good my Religion." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0005" id="link0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + INDIVIDUALITY. + </h2> + <h3> + "His Soul was like a Star and dwelt apart." + </h3> + <p> + ON every hand are the enemies of individuality and mental freedom. Custom + meets us at the cradle and leaves us only at the tomb. Our first questions + are answered by ignorance, and our last by superstition. We are pushed and + dragged by countless hands along the beaten track, and our entire training + can be summed up in the word—suppression. Our desire to have a thing + or to do a thing is considered as conclusive evidence that we ought not to + have it, and ought not to do it. At every turn we run against cherubim and + a flaming sword guarding some entrance to the Eden of our desire. We are + allowed to investigate all subjects in which we feel no particular + interest, and to express the opinions of the majority with the utmost + freedom. We are taught that liberty of speech should never be carried to + the extent of contradicting the dead witnesses of a popular superstition. + Society offers continual rewards for self-betrayal, and they are nearly + all earned and claimed, and some are paid. + </p> + <p> + We have all read accounts of Christian gentlemen remarking, when about to + be hanged, how much better it would have been for them if they had only + followed a mother's advice. But after all, how fortunate it is for the + world that the maternal advice has not always been followed. How fortunate + it is for us all that it is somewhat unnatural for a human being to obey. + Universal obedience is universal stagnation; disobedience is one of the + conditions of progress. Select any age of the world and tell me what would + have been the effect of implicit obedience. Suppose the church had had + absolute control of the human mind at any time, would not the words + liberty and progress have been blotted from human speech? In defiance of + advice, the world has advanced. + </p> + <p> + Suppose the astronomers had controlled the science of astronomy; suppose + the doctors had controlled the science of medicine; suppose kings had been + left to fix the forms of government; suppose our fathers had taken the + advice of Paul, who said, "be subject to the powers that be, because they + are ordained of God;" suppose the church could control the world to-day, + we would go back to chaos and old night. Philosophy would be branded as + infamous; Science would again press its pale and thoughtful face against + the prison bars, and round the limbs of liberty would climb the bigot's + flame. + </p> + <p> + It is a blessed thing that in every age some one has had individuality + enough and courage enough to stand by his own convictions,—some one + who had the grandeur to say his say. I believe it was Magellan who said, + "The church says the earth is flat; but I have seen its shadow on the + moon, and I have more confidence even in a shadow than in the church." On + the prow of his ship were disobedience, defiance, scorn, and success. + </p> + <p> + The trouble with most people is, they bow to what is called authority; + they have a certain reverence for the old because it is old. They think a + man is better for being dead, especially if he has been dead a long time. + They think the fathers of their nation were the greatest and best of all + mankind. All these things they implicitly believe because it is popular + and patriotic, and because they were told so when they were very small, + and remember distinctly of hearing mother read it out of a book. It is + hard to over-estimate the influence of early training in the direction of + superstition. You first teach children that a certain book is true—that + it was written by God himself—that to question its truth is a sin, + that to deny it is a crime, and that should they die without believing + that book they will be forever damned without benefit of clergy. The + consequence is, that long before they read that book, they believe it to + be true. When they do read it their minds are wholly unfitted to + investigate its claims. They accept it as a matter of course. + </p> + <p> + In this way the reason is overcome, the sweet instincts of humanity are + blotted from the heart, and while reading its infamous pages even justice + throws aside her scales, shrieking for revenge, and charity, with bloody + hands, applauds a deed of murder. In this way we are taught that the + revenge of man is the justice of God; that mercy is not the same + everywhere. In this way the ideas of our race have been subverted. In this + way we have made tyrants, bigots, and inquisitors. In this way the brain + of man has become a kind of palimpsest upon which, and over the writings + of nature, superstition has scrawled her countless lies. One great trouble + is that most teachers are dishonest. They teach as certainties those + things concerning which they entertain doubts. They do not say, "we <i>think</i> + this is so," but "we <i>know</i> this is so." They do not appeal to the + reason of the pupil, but they command his faith. They keep all doubts to + themselves; they do not explain, they assert. All this is infamous. In + this way you may make Christians, but you cannot make men; you cannot make + women. You can make followers, but no leaders; disciples, but no Christs. + You may promise power, honor, and happiness to all those who will blindly + follow, but you cannot keep your promise. + </p> + <p> + A monarch said to a hermit, "Come with me and I will give you power." + </p> + <p> + "I have all the power that I know how to use" replied the hermit. + </p> + <p> + "Come," said the king, "I will give you wealth." + </p> + <p> + "I have no wants that money can supply," said the hermit. + </p> + <p> + "I will give you honor," said the monarch. + </p> + <p> + "Ah, honor cannot be given, it must be earned," was the hermit's answer. + </p> + <p> + "Come," said the king, making a last appeal, "and I will give you + happiness." + </p> + <p> + "No," said the man of solitude, "there is no happiness without liberty, + and he who follows cannot be free." + </p> + <p> + "You shall have liberty too," said the king. + </p> + <p> + "Then I will stay where I am," said the old man. + </p> + <p> + And all the king's courtiers thought the hermit a fool. + </p> + <p> + Now and then somebody examines, and in spite of all keeps his manhood, and + has the courage to follow where his reason leads. Then the pious get + together and repeat wise saws, and exchange knowing nods and most + prophetic winks. The stupidly wise sit owl-like on the dead limbs of the + tree of knowledge, and solemnly hoot. Wealth sneers, and fashion laughs, + and respectability passes by on the other side, and scorn points with all + her skinny fingers, and all the snakes of superstition writhe and hiss, + and slander lends her tongue, and infamy her brand, and perjury her oath, + and the law its power, and bigotry tortures, and the church kills. + </p> + <p> + The church hates a thinker precisely for the same reason a robber dislikes + a sheriff, or a thief despises the prosecuting witness. Tyranny likes + courtiers, flatterers, followers, fawners, and superstition wants + believers, disciples, zealots, hypocrites, and subscribers. The church + demands worship—the very thing that man should give to no being, + human or divine. To worship another is to degrade yourself. Worship is awe + and dread and vague fear and blind hope. It is the spirit of worship that + elevates the one and degrades the many; that builds palaces for robbers, + erects monuments to crime, and forges manacles even for its own hands. The + spirit of worship is the spirit of tyranny. The worshiper always regrets + that he is not the worshiped. We should all remember that the intellect + has no knees, and that whatever the attitude of the body may be, the brave + soul is always found erect. Whoever worships, abdicates. Whoever believes + at the command of power, tramples his own individuality beneath his feet, + and voluntarily robs himself of all that renders man superior to the + brute. + </p> + <p> + The despotism of faith is justified upon the ground that Christian + countries are the grandest and most prosperous of the world. At one time + the same thing could have been truly said in India, in Egypt, in Greece, + in Rome, and in every other country that has, in the history of the world, + swept to empire. This argument proves too much not only, but the + assumption upon which it is based is utterly false. Numberless + circumstances and countless conditions have produced the prosperity of the + Christian world. The truth is, we have advanced in spite of religious + zeal, ignorance, and opposition. The church has won no victories for the + rights of man. Luther labored to reform the church—Voltaire, to + reform men. Over every fortress of tyranny has waved, and still waves, the + banner of the church. Wherever brave blood has been shed, the sword of the + church has been wet. On every chain has been the sign of the cross. The + altar and throne have leaned against and supported each other. + </p> + <p> + All that is good in our civilization is the result of commerce, climate, + soil, geographical position, industry, invention, discovery, art, and + science. The church has been the enemy of progress, for the reason that it + has endeavored to prevent man thinking for himself. To prevent thought is + to prevent all advancement except in the direction of faith. + </p> + <p> + Who can imagine the infinite impudence of a church assuming to think for + the human race? Who can imagine the infinite impudence of a church that + pretends to be the mouthpiece of God, and in his name threatens to inflict + eternal punishment upon those who honestly reject its claims and scorn its + pretensions? By what right does a man, or an organization of men, or a + god, claim to hold a brain in bondage? When a fact can be demonstrated, + force is unnecessary; when it cannot be demonstrated, an appeal to force + is infamous. In the presence of the unknown all have an equal right to + think. + </p> + <p> + Over the vast plain, called life, we are all travelers, and not one + traveler is perfectly certain that he is going in the right direction. + True it is that no other plain is so well supplied with guide-boards. At + every turn and crossing you will find them, and upon each one is written + the exact direction and distance. One great trouble is, however, that + these boards are all different, and the result is that most travelers are + confused in proportion to the number they read. Thousands of people are + around each of these signs, and each one is doing his best to convince the + traveler that his particular board is the only one upon which the least + reliance can be placed, and that if his road is taken the reward for so + doing will be infinite and eternal, while all the other roads are said to + lead to hell, and all the makers of the other guide-boards are declared to + be heretics, hypocrites and liars. "Well," says a traveler, "you may be + right in what you say, but allow me at least to read some of the other + directions and examine a little into their claims. I wish to rely a little + upon my own judgment in a matter of so great importance." "No, sir," + shouts the zealot, "that is the very thing you are not allowed to do. You + must go my way without investigation, or you are as good as damned + already." "Well," says the traveler, "if that is so, I believe I had + better go your way." And so most of them go along, taking the word of + those who know as little as themselves. Now and then comes one who, in + spite of all threats, calmly examines the claims of all, and as calmly + rejects them all. These travelers take roads of their own, and are + denounced by all the others, as infidels and atheists. + </p> + <p> + Around all of these guide-boards, as far as the eye can reach, the ground + is covered with mountains of human bones, crumbling and bleaching in the + rain and sun. They are the bones of murdered men and women—fathers, + mothers and babes. + </p> + <p> + In my judgment, every human being should take a road of his own. Every + mind should be true to itself—should think, investigate and conclude + for itself. This is a duty alike incumbent upon pauper and prince. Every + soul should repel dictation and tyranny, no matter from what source they + come—from earth or heaven, from men or gods. Besides, every traveler + upon this vast plain should give to every other traveler his best idea as + to the road that should be taken. Each is entitled to the honest opinion + of all. And there is but one way to get an honest opinion upon any subject + whatever. The person giving the opinion must be free from fear. The + merchant must not fear to lose his custom, the doctor his practice, nor + the preacher his pulpit There can be no advance without liberty. + Suppression of honest inquiry is retrogression, and must end in + intellectual night. The tendency of orthodox religion to-day is toward + mental slavery and barbarism. Not one of the orthodox ministers dare + preach what he thinks if he knows a majority of his congregation think + otherwise. He knows that every member of his church stands guard over his + brain with a creed, like a club, in his hand. He knows that he is not + expected to search after the truth, but that he is employed to defend the + creed. Every pulpit is a pillory, in which stands a hired culprit, + defending the justice of his own imprisonment. + </p> + <p> + Is it desirable that all should be exactly alike in their religious + convictions? Is any such thing possible? Do we not know that there are no + two persons alike in the whole world? No two, trees, no two leaves, no two + anythings that are alike? Infinite diversity is the law. Religion tries to + force all minds into one mould. Knowing that all cannot believe, the + church endeavors to make all say they believe. She longs for the unity of + hypocrisy, and detests the splendid diversity of individuality and + freedom. + </p> + <p> + Nearly all people stand in great horror of annihilation, and yet to give + up your individuality is to annihilate yourself. Mental slavery is mental + death, and every man who has given up his intellectual freedom is the + living coffin of his dead soul. In this sense, every church is a cemetery + and every creed an epitaph. + </p> + <p> + We should all remember that to be like other people is to be unlike + ourselves, and that nothing can be more detestable in character than + servile imitation. The great trouble with imitation is, that we are apt to + ape those who are in reality far below us. After all, the poorest bargain + that a human being can make, is to give his individuality for what is + called respectability. + </p> + <p> + There is no saying more degrading than this: "It is better to be the tail + of a lion than the head of a dog." It is a responsibility to think and act + for yourself. Most people hate responsibility; therefore they join + something and become the tail of some lion. They say, "My party can act + for me—my church can do my thinking. It is enough for me to pay + taxes and obey the lion to which I belong, without troubling myself about + the right, the wrong, or the why or the wherefore of anything whatever." + These people are respectable. They hate reformers, and dislike exceedingly + to have their minds disturbed. They regard convictions as very + disagreeable things to have. They love forms, and enjoy, beyond everything + else, telling what a splendid tail their lion has, and what a troublesome + dog their neighbor is. Besides this natural inclination to avoid personal + responsibility, is and always has been, the fact, that every religionist + has warned men against the presumption and wickedness of thinking for + themselves. The reason has been denounced by all Christendom as the only + unsafe guide. The church has left nothing undone to prevent man following + the logic of his brain. The plainest facts have been covered with the + mantle of mystery. The grossest absurdities have been declared to be + self-evident facts. The order of nature has been, as it were, reversed, + that the hypocritical few might govern the honest many. The man who stood + by the conclusion of his reason was denounced as a scorner and hater of + God and his holy church. From the organization of the first church until + this moment, to think your own thoughts has been inconsistent with + membership. Every member has borne the marks of collar, and chain, and + whip. No man ever seriously attempted to reform a church without being + cast out and hunted down by the hounds of hypocrisy. The highest crime + against a creed is to change it. Reformation is treason. + </p> + <p> + Thousands of young men are being educated at this moment by the various + churches. What for? In order that they may be prepared to investigate the + phenomena by which we are surrounded? No! The object, and the only object, + is that they may be prepared to defend a creed; that they may learn the + arguments of their respective churches, and repeat them in the dull ears + of a thoughtless congregation. If one, after being thus trained at the + expense of the Methodists, turns Presbyterian or Baptist, he is denounced + as an ungrateful wretch. Honest investigation is utterly impossible within + the pale of any church, for the reason, that if you think the church is + right you will not investigate, and if you think it wrong, the church will + investigate you. The consequence of this is, that most of the theological + literature is the result of suppression, of fear, tyranny and hypocrisy. + </p> + <p> + Every orthodox writer necessarily said to himself, "If I write that, my + wife and children may want for bread. I will be covered with shame and + branded with infamy; but if I write this, I will gain position, power, and + honor. My church rewards defenders, and burns reformers." + </p> + <p> + Under these conditions all your Scotts, Hen-rys, and McKnights have + written; and weighed in these scales, what are their commentaries worth? + They are not the ideas and decisions of honest judges, but the sophisms of + the paid attorneys of superstition. Who can tell what the world has lost + by this infamous system of suppression? How many grand thinkers have died + with the mailed hand of superstition upon their lips? How many splendid + ideas have perished in the cradle of the brain, strangled in the + poison-coils of that python, the Church! + </p> + <p> + For thousands of years a thinker was hunted down like an escaped convict. + To him who had braved the church, every door was shut, every knife was + open. To shelter him from the wild storm, to give him a crust when dying, + to put a cup of water to his cracked and bleeding lips; these were all + crimes, not one of which the church ever did forgive; and with the justice + taught of her God, his helpless children were exterminated as scorpions + and vipers. + </p> + <p> + Who at the present day can imagine the courage, the devotion to principle, + the intellectual and moral grandeur it once required to be an infidel, to + brave the church, her racks, her fagots, her dungeons, her tongues of + fire,—to defy and scorn her heaven and her hell—her devil and + her God? They were the noblest sons of earth. They were the real saviors + of our race, the destroyers of superstition and the creators of Science. + They were the real Titans who bared their grand foreheads to all the + thunderbolts of all the gods. + </p> + <p> + The church has been, and still is, the great robber. She has rifled not + only the pockets but the brains of the world. She is the stone at the + sepulchre of liberty; the upas tree, in whose shade the intellect of man + has withered; the Gorgon beneath whose gaze the human heart has turned to + stone. Under her influence even the Protestant mother expects to be happy + in heaven, while her brave boy, who fell fighting for the rights of man, + shall writhe in hell. + </p> + <p> + It is said that some of the Indian tribes place the heads of their + children between pieces of bark until the form of the skull is permanently + changed. To us this seems a most shocking custom; and yet, after all, is + it as bad as to put the souls of our children in the strait-jacket of a + creed? to so utterly deform their minds that they regard the God of the + Bible as a being of infinite mercy, and really consider it a virtue to + believe a thing just because it seems unreasonable? Every child in the + Christian world has uttered its wondering protest against this outrage. + All the machinery of the church is constantly employed in corrupting the + reason of children. In every possible way they are robbed of their own + thoughts and forced to accept the statements of others. Every Sunday + school has for its object the crushing out of every germ of individuality. + The poor children are taught that nothing can be more acceptable to God + than unreasoning obedience and eyeless faith, and that to believe God did + an impossible act, is far better than to do a good one yourself. They are + told that all religions have been simply the John-the-Baptists of ours; + that all the gods of antiquity have withered and shrunken into the Jehovah + of the Jews; that all the longings and aspirations of the race are + realized in the motto of the Evangelical Alliance, "Liberty in + non-essentials", that all there is, or ever was, of religion can be found + in the apostles' creed; that there is nothing left to be discovered; that + all the thinkers are dead, and all the living should simply be believers; + that we have only to repeat the epitaph found on the grave of wisdom; that + grave-yards are the best possible universities, and that the children must + be forever beaten with the bones of the fathers. + </p> + <p> + It has always seemed absurd to suppose that a god would choose for his + companions, during all eternity, the dear souls whose highest and only + ambition is to obey. He certainly would now and then be tempted to make + the same remark made by an English gentleman to his poor guest. The + gentleman had invited a man in humble circumstances to dine with him. The + man was so overcome with the honor that to everything the gentleman said + he replied "Yes." Tired at last with the monotony of acquiescence, the + gentleman cried out, "For God's sake, my good man, say 'No,' just once, so + there will be two of us." + </p> + <p> + Is it possible that an infinite God created this world simply to be the + dwelling-place of slaves and serfs? simply for the purpose of raising + orthodox Christians? That he did a few miracles to astonish them; that all + the evils of life are simply his punishments, and that he is finally going + to turn heaven into a kind of religious museum filled with Baptist + barnacles, petrified Presbyterians and Methodist mummies? I want no heaven + for which I must give my reason; no happiness in exchange for my liberty, + and no immortality that demands the surrender of my individuality. Better + rot in the windowless tomb, to which there is no door but the red mouth of + the pallid worm, than wear the jeweled collar even of a god. + </p> + <p> + Religion does not, and cannot, contemplate man as free. She accepts only + the homage of the prostrate, and scorns the offerings of those who stand + erect. She cannot tolerate the liberty of thought. The wide and sunny + fields belong not to her domain. The star-lit heights of genius and + individuality are above and beyond her appreciation and power. Her + subjects cringe at her feet, covered with the dust of obedience. + </p> + <p> + They are not athletes standing posed by rich life and brave endeavor like + antique statues, but shriveled deformities, studying with furtive glance + the cruel face of power. + </p> + <p> + No religionist seems capable of comprehending this plain truth. There is + this difference between thought and action: for our actions we are + responsible to ourselves and to those injuriously affected; for thoughts, + there can, in the nature of things, be no responsibility to gods or men, + here or hereafter. And yet the Protestant has vied with the Catholic in + denouncing freedom of thought; and while I was taught to hate Catholicism + with every drop of my blood, it is only justice to say, that in all + essential particulars it is precisely the same as every other religion. + Luther denounced mental liberty with all the coarse and brutal vigor of + his nature; Calvin despised, from the very bottom of his petrified heart, + anything that even looked like religious toleration, and solemnly declared + that to advocate it was to crucify Christ afresh. All the founders of all + the orthodox churches have advocated the same infamous tenet. The truth + is, that what is called religion is necessarily inconsistent with free + thought A believer is a bird in a cage, a Freethinker is an eagle parting + the clouds with tireless wing. + </p> + <p> + At present, owing to the inroads that have been made by liberals and + infidels, most of the churches pretend to be in favor of religious + liberty. Of these churches, we will ask this question: How can a man, who + conscientiously believes in religious liberty, worship a God who does not? + They say to us: "We will not imprison you on account of your belief, but + our God will." "We will not burn you because you throw away the sacred + Scriptures, but their author will." "We think it an infamous crime to + persecute our brethren for opinion's sake,—but the God, whom we + ignorantly worship, will on that account, damn his own children forever." + </p> + <p> + Why is it that these Christians not only detest the infidels, but + cordially despise each other? Why do they refuse to worship in the temples + of each other? Why do they care so little for the damnation of men, and so + much for the baptism of children? Why will they adorn their churches with + the money of thieves and flatter vice for the sake of subscriptions? Why + will they attempt to bribe Science to certify to the writings of God? Why + do they torture the words of the great into an acknowledgment of the truth + of Christianity? Why do they stand with hat in hand before presidents, + kings, emperors, and scientists, begging, like Lazarus, for a few crumbs + of religious comfort? Why are they so delighted to find an allusion to + Providence in the message of Lincoln? Why are they so afraid that some one + will find out that Paley wrote an essay in favor of the Epicurean + philosophy, and that Sir Isaac Newton was once an infidel? Why are they so + anxious to show that Voltaire recanted; that Paine died palsied with fear; + that the Emperor Julian cried out "Galilean, thou hast conquered"; that + Gibbon died a Catholic; that Agassiz had a little confidence in Moses; + that the old Napoleon was once complimentary enough to say that he thought + Christ greater than himself or Cæsar; that Washington was caught on + his knees at Valley Forge; that blunt old Ethan Allen told his child to + believe the religion of her mother; that Franklin said, "Don't unchain the + tiger," and that Volney got frightened in a storm at sea? + </p> + <p> + Is it because the foundation of their temple is crumbling, because the + walls are cracked, the pillars leaning, the great dome swaying to its + fall, and because Science has written over the high altar its mene, mene, + tekel, upharsin—the old words, destined to be the epitaph of all + religions? + </p> + <p> + Every assertion of individual independence has been a step toward + infidelity. Luther started toward Humboldt,—Wesley, toward John + Stuart Mill. To really reform the church is to destroy it. Every new + religion has a little less superstition than the old, so that the religion + of Science is but a question of time. + </p> + <p> + I will not say the church has been an unmitigated evil in all respects. + Its history is infamous and glorious. It has delighted in the production + of extremes. It has furnished murderers for its own martyrs. It has + sometimes fed the body, but has always starved the soul. It has been a + charitable highwayman—a profligate beggar—a generous pirate. + It has produced some angels and a multitude of devils. It has built more + prisons than asylums. It made a hundred orphans while it cared for one. In + one hand it has carried the alms-dish and in the other a sword. It has + founded schools and endowed universities for the purpose of destroying + true learning. It filled the world with hypocrites and zealots, and upon + the cross of its own Christ it crucified the individuality of man. It has + sought to destroy the independence of the soul and put the world upon its + knees. This is its crime. The commission of this crime was necessary to + its existence. In order to compel obedience it declared that it had the + truth, and all the truth; that God had made it the keeper of his secrets; + his agent and his vicegerent. It declared that all other religions were + false and infamous. It rendered all compromise impossible and all thought + superfluous. Thought was its enemy, obedience was its friend. + Investigation was fraught with danger; therefore investigation was + suppressed. The holy of holies was behind the curtain. All this was upon + the principle that forgers hate to have the signature examined by an + expert, and that imposture detests curiosity. + </p> + <p> + "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear," has always been the favorite + text of the church. + </p> + <p> + In short, Christianity has always opposed every forward movement of the + human race. Across the highway of progress it has always been building + breastworks of Bibles, tracts, commentaries, prayer-books, creeds, dogmas + and platforms, and at every advance the Christians have gathered together + behind these heaps of rubbish and shot the poisoned arrows of malice at + the soldiers of freedom. + </p> + <p> + And even the liberal Christian of to-day has his holy of holies, and in + the niche of the temple of his heart has his idol. He still clings to a + part of the old superstition, and all the pleasant memories of the old + belief linger in the horizon of his thoughts like a sunset. We associate + the memory of those we love with the religion of our childhood. It seems + almost a sacrilege to rudely destroy the idols that our fathers worshiped, + and turn their sacred and beautiful truths into the fables of barbarism. + Some throw away the Old Testament and cling to the New, while others give + up everything except the idea that there is a personal God, and that in + some wonderful way we are the objects of his care. + </p> + <p> + Even this, in my opinion, as Science, the great iconoclast, marches + onward, will have to be abandoned with the rest. The great ghost will + surely share the fate of the little ones. They fled at the first + appearance of the dawn, and the other will vanish with the perfect day. + Until then the independence of man is little more than a dream. + Overshadowed by an immense personality, in the presence of the + irresponsible and the infinite, the individuality of man is lost, and he + falls prostrate in the very dust of fear. Beneath the frown of the + absolute, man stands a wretched, trembling slave,—beneath his smile + he is at best only a fortunate serf. Governed by a being whose arbitrary + will is law, chained to the chariot of power, his destiny rests in the + pleasure of the unknown. Under these circumstances, what wretched object + can he have in lengthening out his aimless life? + </p> + <p> + And yet, in most minds, there is a vague fear of the gods—a + shrinking from the malice of the skies. Our fathers were slaves, and + nearly all their children are mental serfs. The enfranchisement of the + soul is a slow and painful process. Superstition, the mother of those + hideous twins, Fear and Faith, from her throne of skulls, still rules the + world, and will until the mind of woman ceases to be the property of + priests. + </p> + <p> + When women reason, and babes sit in the lap of philosophy, the victory of + reason over the shadowy host of darkness will be complete. + </p> + <p> + In the minds of many, long after the intellect has thrown aside as utterly + fabulous the legends of the church, there still remains a lingering + suspicion, born of the mental habits contracted in childhood, that after + all there may be a grain of truth in these mountains of theological mist, + and that possibly the superstitious side is the side of safety. + </p> + <p> + A gentleman, walking among the ruins of Athens, came upon a fallen statue + of Jupiter; making an exceedingly low bow he said: "O Jupiter! I salute + thee." He then added: "Should you ever sit upon the throne of heaven + again, do not, I pray you, forget that I treated you politely when you + were prostrate." + </p> + <p> + We have all been taught by the church that nothing is so well calculated + to excite the ire of the Deity as to express a doubt as to his existence, + and that to deny it is an unpardonable sin. Numerous well-attested + instances are referred to of atheists being struck dead for denying the + existence of God. According to these religious people, God is infinitely + above us in every respect, infinitely merciful, and yet he cannot bear to + hear a poor finite man honestly question his existence. Knowing, as he + does, that his children are groping in darkness and struggling with doubt + and fear; knowing that he could enlighten them if he would, he still holds + the expression of a sincere doubt as to his existence, the most infamous + of crimes. According to orthodox logic, God having furnished us with + imperfect minds, has a right to demand a perfect result. + </p> + <p> + Suppose Mr. Smith should overhear a couple of small bugs holding a + discussion as to the existence of Mr. Smith, and suppose one should have + the temerity to declare, upon the honor of a bug, that he had examined the + whole question to the best of his ability, including the argument based + upon design, and had come to the conclusion that no man by the name of + Smith had ever lived. Think then of Mr. Smith flying into an ecstasy of + rage, crushing the atheist bug beneath his iron heel, while he exclaimed, + "I will teach you, blasphemous wretch, that Smith is a diabolical fact!" + What then can we think of a God who would open the artillery of heaven + upon one of his own children for simply expressing his honest thought? And + what man who really thinks can help repeating the words of Ennius: "If + there are gods they certainly pay no attention to the affairs of man." + </p> + <p> + Think of the millions of men and women who have been destroyed simply for + loving and worshiping this God. Is it possible that this God, having + infinite power, saw his loving and heroic children languishing in the + darkness of dungeons; heard the clank of their chains when they lifted + their hands to him in the agony of prayer; saw them stretched upon the + bigot's rack, where death alone had pity; saw the serpents of flame crawl + hissing round their shrinking forms—-saw all this for sixteen + hundred years, and sat as silent as a stone? + </p> + <p> + From such a God, why should man expect assistance? Why should he waste his + days in fruitless prayer? Why should he fall upon his knees and implore a + phantom—a phantom that is deaf, and dumb, and blind? + </p> + <p> + Although we live in what is called a free government,—and + politically we are free,—there is but little religious liberty in + America. Society demands, either that you belong to some church, or that + you suppress your opinions. It is contended by many that ours is a + Christian government, founded upon the Bible, and that all who look upon + that book as false or foolish are destroying the foundation of our + country. The truth is, our government is not founded upon the rights of + gods, but upon the rights of men. Our Constitution was framed, not to + declare and uphold the deity of Christ, but the sacredness of humanity. + Ours is the first government made by the people and for the people. It is + the only nation with which the gods have had nothing to do. And yet there + are some judges dishonest and cowardly enough to solemnly decide that this + is a Christian country, and that our free institutions are based upon the + infamous laws of Jehovah. Such judges are the Jeffries of the church. They + believe that decisions, made by hirelings at the bidding of kings, are + binding upon man forever. They regard old law as far superior to modern + justice. They are what might be called orthodox judges. They spend their + days in finding out, not what ought to be, but what has been. With their + backs to the sunrise they worship the night. There is only one future + event with which they concern themselves, and that is their reelection. No + honest court ever did, or ever will, decide that our Constitution is + Christian. The Bible teaches that the powers that be, are ordained of God. + The Bible teaches that God is the source of all authority, and that all + kings have obtained their power from him. Every tyrant has claimed to be + the agent of the Most High. The Inquisition was founded, not in the name + of man, but in the name of God. All the governments of Europe recognize + the greatness of God, and the littleness of the people. In all ages, + hypocrites, called priests, have put crowns upon the heads of thieves, + called kings. + </p> + <p> + The Declaration of Independence announces the sublime truth, that all + power comes from the people. This was a denial, and the first denial of a + nation, of the infamous dogma that God confers the right upon one man to + govern others. It was the first grand assertion of the dignity of the + human race. It declared the governed to be the source of power, and in + fact denied the authority of any and all gods. Through the ages of slavery—through + the weary centuries of the lash and chain, God was the acknowledged ruler + of the world. To enthrone man, was to dethrone him. + </p> + <p> + To Paine, Jefferson, and Franklin, are we indebted, more than to all + others, for a human government, and for a Constitution in which no God is + recognized superior to the legally expressed will of the people. + </p> + <p> + They knew that to put God in the Constitution was to put man out. They + knew that the recognition of a Deity would be seized upon by fanatics and + zealots as a pretext for destroying the liberty of thought. They knew the + terrible history of the church too well to place in her keeping, or in the + keeping of her God, the sacred rights of man. They intended that all + should have the right to worship, or not to worship; that our laws should + make no distinction on account of creed. They intended to found and frame + a government for man, and for man alone. They wished to preserve the + individuality and liberty of all; to prevent the few from governing the + many, and the many from persecuting and destroying the few. + </p> + <p> + Notwithstanding all this, the spirit of persecution still lingers in our + laws. In many of the States, only those who believe in the existence of + some kind of God, are under the protection of the law. + </p> + <p> + The supreme court of Illinois decided, in the year of grace 1856, that an + unbeliever in the existence of an intelligent First Cause could not be + allowed to testify in any court. His wife and children might have been + murdered before his very face, and yet in the absence of other witnesses, + the murderer could not have even been indicted. The atheist was a legal + outcast. To him, Justice was not only blind, but deaf. He was liable, like + other men, to support the Government, and was forced to contribute his + share towards paying the salaries of the very judges who decided that + under no circumstances could his voice be heard in any court. This was the + law of Illinois, and so remained until the adoption of the new + Constitution. By such infamous means has the church endeavored to chain + the human mind, and protect the majesty of her God. The fact is, we have + no national religion, and no national God; but every citizen is allowed to + have a religion and a God of his own, or to reject all religions and deny + the existence of all gods. The church, however, never has, and never will + understand and appreciate the genius of our Government. + </p> + <p> + Last year, in a convention of Protestant bigots, held in the city of New + York for the purpose of creating public opinion in favor of a religious + amendment to the Federal Constitution, a reverend doctor of divinity, + speaking of atheists, said: "What are the rights of the atheist? I would + tolerate him as I would tolerate a poor lunatic. I would tolerate him as I + would tolerate a conspirator. He may live and go free, hold his lands and + enjoy his home—he may even vote; but for any higher or more advanced + citizenship, he is, as I hold, utterly disqualified." These are the + sentiments of the church to-day. + </p> + <p> + Give the church a place in the Constitution, let her touch once more the + sword of power, and the priceless fruit of all the ages will turn to ashes + on the lips of men. + </p> + <p> + In religious ideas and conceptions there has been for ages a slow and + steady development At the bottom of the ladder (speaking of modern times) + is Catholicism, and at the top is Science. The intermediate rounds of this + ladder are occupied by the various sects, whose name is legion. + </p> + <p> + But whatever may be the truth upon any subject has nothing to do with-our + right to investigate that subject, and express any opinion we may form. + All that I ask, is the same right I freely accord to all others. + </p> + <p> + A few years ago a Methodist clergyman took it upon himself to give me a + piece of friendly advice. "Although you may disbelieve the Bible," said + he, "you ought not to say so. That, you should keep to yourself." + </p> + <p> + "Do you believe the Bible," said I. + </p> + <p> + He replied, "Most assuredly". + </p> + <p> + To which I retorted, "Your answer conveys no information to me. You may be + following your own advice. You told me to suppress my opinions. Of course + a man who will advise others to dissimulate will not always be particular + about telling the truth himself." + </p> + <p> + There can be nothing more utterly subversive of all that is really + valuable than the suppression of honest thought. No man, worthy of the + form he bears, will at the command of church or state solemnly repeat a + creed his reason scorns. + </p> + <p> + It is the duty of each and every one to maintain his individuality. "This + above all, to thine ownself be true, and it must follow as the night the + day, thou canst not then be false to any man." It is a magnificent thing + to be the sole proprietor of yourself. It is a terrible thing to wake up + at night and say, "There is nobody in this bed." It is humiliating to know + that your ideas are all borrowed; that you are indebted to your memory for + your principles; that your religion is simply one of your habits, and that + you would have convictions if they were only contagious. It is mortifying + to feel that you belong to a mental mob and cry "crucify him," because the + others do; that you reap what the great and brave have sown, and that you + can benefit the world only by leaving it. + </p> + <p> + Surely every human being ought to attain to the dignity of the unit. + Surely it is worth something to be one, and to feel that the census of the + universe would be incomplete without counting you. Surely there is + grandeur in knowing that in the realm of thought, at least, you are + without a chain; that you have the right to explore all heights and all + depths; that there are no walls nor fences, nor prohibited places, nor + sacred corners in all the vast expanse of thought; that your intellect + owes no allegiance to any being, human or divine; that you hold all in fee + and upon no condition and by no tenure whatever; that in the world of mind + you are relieved from all personal dictation, and from the ignorant + tyranny of majorities. Surely it is worth something to feel that there are + no priests, no popes, no parties, no governments, no kings, no gods, to + whom your intellect can be compelled to pay a reluctant homage. Surely it + is a joy to know that all the cruel ingenuity of bigotry can devise no + prison, no dungeon, no cell in which for one instant to confine a thought; + that ideas cannot be dislocated by racks, nor crushed in iron boots, nor + burned with fire. Surely it is sublime to think that the brain is a + castle, and that within its curious bastions and winding halls the soul, + in spite of all worlds and all beings, is the supreme sovereign of itself. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0006" id="link0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + HERETICS AND HERESIES. + </h2> + <h3> + Liberty, a Word without which all other Words are Vain. + </h3> + <p> + WHOEVER has an opinion of his own, and honestly expresses it, will be + guilty of heresy. Heresy is what the minority believe; it is the name + given by the powerful to the doctrine of the weak. This word was born of + the hatred, arrogance and cruelty of those who love their enemies, and + who, when smitten on one cheek, turn the other. This word was born of + intellectual slavery in the feudal ages of thought It was an epithet used + in the place of argument. From the commencement of the Christian era, + every art has been exhausted and every conceivable punishment inflicted to + force all people to hold the same religious opinions. This effort was born + of the idea that a certain belief was necessary to the salvation of the + soul. Christ taught, and the church still teaches, that unbelief is the + blackest of crimes. God is supposed to hate with an infinite and + implacable hatred, every heretic upon the earth, and the heretics who have + died are supposed at this moment to be suffering the agonies of the + damned. The church persecutes the living and her God burns the dead. + </p> + <p> + It is claimed that God wrote a book called the Bible, and it is generally + admitted that this book is somewhat difficult to understand. As long as + the church had all the copies of this book, and the people were not + allowed to read it, there was comparatively little heresy in the world; + but when it was printed and read, people began honestly to differ as to + its meaning. A few were independent and brave enough to give the world + their real thoughts, and for the extermination of these men the church + used all her power. Protestants and Catholics vied with each other in the + work of enslaving the human mind. For ages they were rivals in the + infamous effort to rid the earth of honest people. They infested every + country, every city, town, hamlet and family. They appealed to the worst + passions of the human heart They sowed the seeds of discord and hatred in + every land. Brother denounced brother, wives informed against their + husbands, mothers accused their children, dungeons were crowded with the + innocent; the flesh of the good and true rotted in the clasp of chains; + the flames devoured the heroic, and in the name of the most merciful God, + his children were exterminated with famine, sword, and fire. Over the wild + waves of battle rose and fell the banner of Jesus Christ. For sixteen + hundred years the robes of the church were red with innocent blood. The + ingenuity of Christians was exhausted in devising punishment severe enough + to be inflicted upon other Christians who honestly and sincerely differed + with them upon any point whatever. + </p> + <p> + Give any orthodox church the power, and to-day they would punish heresy + with whip, and chain, and fire. As long as a church deems a certain belief + essential to salvation, just so long it will kill and burn if it has the + power. Why should the church pity a man whom her God hates? Why should she + show mercy to a kind and noble heretic whom her God will burn in eternal + fire? Why should a Christian be better than his God? It is impossible for + the imagination to conceive of a greater atrocity than has been + perpetrated by the church. Every nerve in the human body capable of pain + has been sought out and touched by the church. + </p> + <p> + Let it be remembered that all churches have persecuted heretics to the + extent of their power. Toleration has increased only when and where the + power of the church has diminished. From Augustine until now the spirit of + the Christians has remained the same. There has been the same intolerance, + the same undying hatred of all who think for themselves, and the same + determination to crush out of the human brain all knowledge inconsistent + with an ignorant creed. + </p> + <p> + Every church pretends that it has a revelation from God, and that this + revelation must be given to the people through the church; that the church + acts through its priests, and that ordinary mortals must be content with a + revelation—not from God—but from the church. Had the people + submitted to this preposterous claim, of course there could have been but + one church, and that church never could have advanced. It might have + retrograded, because it is not necessary to think or investigate in order + to forget. Without heresy there could have been no progress. + </p> + <p> + The highest type of the orthodox Christian does not forget; neither does + he learn. He neither advances nor recedes. He is a living fossil embedded + in that rock called faith. He makes no effort to better his condition, + because all his strength is exhausted in keeping other people from + improving theirs. The supreme desire of his heart is to force all others + to adopt his creed, and in order to accomplish this object he denounces + free thinking as a crime, and this crime he calls heresy. When he had + power, heresy was the most terrible and formidable of words. It meant + confiscation, exile, imprisonment, torture, and death. + </p> + <p> + In those days the cross and rack were inseparable companions. Across the + open Bible lay the sword and fagot. Not content with burning such heretics + as were alive, they even tried the dead, in order that the church might + rob their wives and children. The property of all heretics was + confiscated, and on this account they charged the dead with being + heretical—indicted, as it were, their dust—to the end that the + church might clutch the bread of orphans. Learned divines discussed the + propriety of tearing out the tongues of heretics before they were burned, + and the general opinion was, that this ought to be done so that the + heretics should not be able, by uttering blasphemies, to shock the + Christians who were burning them. With a mixture of ferocity and + Christianity, the priests insisted that heretics ought to be burned at a + slow fire, giving as a reason that more time was given them for + repentance. + </p> + <p> + No wonder that Jesus Christ said, "I came not to bring peace, but a + sword." + </p> + <p> + Every priest regarded himself as the agent of God. He answered all + questions by authority, and to treat him with disrespect was an insult + offered to God. No one was asked to think, but all were commanded to obey. + </p> + <p> + In 1208 the Inquisition was established. Seven years afterward, the fourth + council of the Lateran enjoined all kings and rulers to swear an oath that + they would exterminate heretics from their dominions. The sword of the + church was unsheathed, and the world was at the mercy of ignorant and + infuriated priests, whose eyes feasted upon the agonies they inflicted. + Acting, as they believed, or pretended to believe, under the command of + God; stimulated by the hope of infinite reward in another world—hating + heretics with every drop of their bestial blood; savage beyond + description; merciless beyond conception,—these infamous priests, in + a kind of frenzied joy, leaped upon the helpless victims of their rage. + They crushed their bones in iron boots; tore their quivering flesh with + iron hooks and pincers; cut off their lips and eyelids; pulled out their + nails, and into the bleeding quick thrust needles; tore out their tongues; + extinguished their eyes; stretched them upon racks; flayed them alive; + crucified them with their heads downward; exposed them to wild beasts; + burned them at the stake; mocked their cries and groans; ravished their + wives; robbed their children, and then prayed God to finish the holy work + in hell. + </p> + <p> + Millions upon millions were sacrificed upon the altars of bigotry. The + Catholic burned the Lutheran, the Lutheran burned the Catholic, the + Episcopalian tortured the Presbyterian, the Presbyterian tortured the + Episcopalian. Every denomination killed all it could of every other; and + each Christian felt in duty bound to exterminate every other Christian who + denied the smallest fraction of his creed. + </p> + <p> + In the reign of Henry VIII.—that pious and moral founder of the + apostolic Episcopal Church,—there was passed by the parliament of + England an act entitled "An act for abolishing of diversity of opinion." + And in this act was set forth what a good Christian was obliged to + believe: First, That in the sacrament was the real body and blood of Jesus + Christ. + </p> + <p> + Second, That the body and blood of Jesus Christ was in the bread, and the + blood and body of Jesus Christ was in the wine. + </p> + <p> + Third, That priests should not marry. + </p> + <p> + Fourth, That vows of chastity were of perpetual obligation. + </p> + <p> + Fifth, That private masses ought to be continued; and, + </p> + <p> + Sixth, That auricular confession to a priest must be maintained. + </p> + <p> + This creed was made by law, in order that all men might know just what to + believe by simply reading the statute. The church hated to see the people + wearing out their brains in thinking upon these subjects. It was thought + far better that a creed should be made by parliament, so that whatever + might be lacking in evidence might be made up in force. The punishment for + denying the first article was death by fire. For the denial of any other + article, imprisonment, and for the second offence—death. + </p> + <p> + Your attention is called to these six articles, established during the + reign of Henry VIII., and by the Church of England, simply because not one + of these articles is believed by that church to-day. If the law then made + by the church could be enforced now, every Episcopalian would be burned at + the stake. + </p> + <p> + Similar laws were passed in most Christian countries, as all orthodox + churches firmly believed that mankind could be legislated into heaven. + According to the creed of every church, slavery leads to heaven, liberty + leads to hell. It was claimed that God had founded the church, and that to + deny the authority of the church was to be a traitor to God, and + consequently an ally of the devil. To torture and destroy one of the + soldiers of Satan was a duty no good Christian cared to neglect. Nothing + can be sweeter than to earn the gratitude of God by killing your own + enemies. Such a mingling of profit and revenge, of heaven for yourself and + damnation for those you dislike, is a temptation that your ordinary + Christian never resists. + </p> + <p> + According to the theologians, God, the Father of us all, wrote a letter to + his children. The children have always differed somewhat as to the meaning + of this letter. In consequence of these honest differences, these brothers + began to cut out each other's hearts. In every land, where this letter + from God has been read, the children to whom and for whom it was written + have been filled with hatred and malice. They have imprisoned and murdered + each other, and the wives and children of each other. In the name of God + every possible crime has been committed, every conceivable outrage has + been perpetrated. Brave men, tender and loving women, beautiful girls, and + prattling babes have been exterminated in the name of Jesus Christ. For + more than fifty generations the church has carried the black flag. Her + vengeance has been measured only by her power. During all these years of + infamy no heretic has ever been forgiven. With the heart of a fiend she + has hated; with the clutch of avarice she has grasped; with the jaws of a + dragon she has devoured; pitiless as famine, merciless as fire, with the + conscience of a serpent: such is the history of the Church of God. + </p> + <p> + I do not say, and I do not believe, that Christians are as bad as their + creeds. In spite of church and dogma, there have been millions and + millions of men and women true to the loftiest and most generous + promptings of the human heart. They have been true to their convictions, + and, with a self-denial and fortitude excelled by none, have labored and + suffered for the salvation of men. Imbued with the spirit of + self-sacrifice, believing that by personal effort they could rescue at + least a few souls from the infinite shadow of hell, they have cheerfully + endured every hardship and scorned every danger. And yet, notwithstanding + all this, they believed that honest error was a crime. They knew that the + Bible so declared, and they believed that all unbelievers would be + eternally lost. They believed that religion was of God, and all heresy of + the devil. They killed heretics in defence of their own souls and the + souls of their children. They killed them because, according to their + idea, they were the enemies of God, and because the Bible teaches that the + blood of the unbeliever is a most acceptable sacrifice to heaven. + </p> + <p> + Nature never prompted a loving mother to throw her child into the Ganges. + Nature never prompted men to exterminate each other for a difference of + opinion concerning the baptism of infants. These crimes have been produced + by religions filled with all that is illogical, cruel and hideous. These + religions were produced for the most part by ignorance, tyranny and + hypocrisy. Under the impression that the infinite ruler and creator of the + universe had commanded the destruction of heretics and infidels, the + church perpetrated all these crimes. + </p> + <p> + Men and women have been burned for thinking there is but one God; that + there was none; that the Holy Ghost is younger than God; that God was + somewhat older than his son; for insisting that good works will save a man + without faith; that faith will do without good works; for declaring that a + sweet babe will not be burned eternally, because its parents failed to + have its head wet by a priest; for speaking of God as though he had a + nose; for denying that Christ was his own father; for contending that + three persons, rightly added together, make more than one; for believing + in purgatory; for denying the reality of hell; for pretending that priests + can forgive sins; for preaching that God is an essence; for denying that + witches rode through the air on sticks; for doubting the total depravity + of the human heart; for laughing at irresistible grace, predestination and + particular redemption; for denying that good bread could be made of the + body of a dead man; for pretending that the pope was not managing this + world for God, and in the place of God; for disputing the efficacy of a + vicarious atonement; for thinking the Virgin Mary was born like other + people; for thinking that a man's rib was hardly sufficient to make a + good-sized woman; for denying that God used his finger for a pen; for + asserting that prayers are not answered, that diseases are not sent to + punish unbelief; for denying the authority of the Bible; for having a + Bible in their possession; for attending mass, and for refusing to attend; + for wearing a surplice; for carrying a cross, and for refusing; for being + a Catholic, and for being a Protestant; for being an Episcopalian, a + Presbyterian, a Baptist, and for being a Quaker. In short, every virtue + has been a crime, and every crime a virtue. The church has burned honesty + and rewarded hypocrisy. And all this, because it was commanded by a book—a + book that men had been taught implicitly to believe, long, before they + knew one word that was in it They had been taught that to doubt the truth + of this book—to examine it, even—was a crime of such enormity + that it could not be forgiven, either in this world or in the next The + Bible was the real persecutor. The Bible burned heretics, built dungeons, + founded the Inquisition, and trampled upon all the liberties of men. + </p> + <p> + How long, O how long will mankind worship a book? How long will they + grovel in the dust before the ignorant legends of the barbaric past? How + long, O how long will they pursue phantoms in a darkness deeper than + death? + </p> + <p> + Unfortunately for the world, about the beginning of the sixteenth century, + a man by the name of Gerard Chauvin was married to Jeanne Lefranc, and + still more unfortunately for the world, the fruit of this marriage was a + son, called John Chauvin, who afterwards became famous as John Calvin, the + founder of the Presbyterian Church. + </p> + <p> + This man forged five fetters for the brain. These fetters he called + points. That is to say, predestination, particular redemption, total + depravity, irresistible grace, and the perseverance of the saints. About + the neck of each follower he put a collar bristling with these five iron + points. The presence of all these points on the collar is still the test + of orthodoxy in the church he founded. This man, when in the flush of + youth, was elected to the office of preacher in Geneva. He at once, in + union with Farel, drew up a condensed statement of the Presbyterian + doctrine, and all the citizens of Geneva, on pain of banishment, were + compelled to take an oath that they believed this statement. Of this + proceeding Calvin very innocently remarked that it produced great + satisfaction. A man named Caroli had the audacity to dispute with Calvin. + For this outrage he was banished. + </p> + <p> + To show you what great subjects occupied the attention of Calvin, it is + only necessary to state that he furiously discussed the question as to + whether the sacramental bread should be leavened or unleavened. He drew up + laws regulating the cut of the citizens' clothes, and prescribing their + diet, and all those whose garments were not in the Calvin fashion were + refused the sacrament. At last, the people becoming tired of this petty + theological tyranny, banished Calvin. In a few years, however, he was + recalled and received with great enthusiasm. After this he was supreme, + and the will of Calvin became the law of Geneva. + </p> + <p> + Under his benign administration, James Gruet was beheaded because he had + written some profane verses. The slightest word against Calvin or his + absurd doctrines was punished as a crime. + </p> + <p> + In 1553 a man was tried at Vienne by the Catholic Church for heresy. He + was convicted and sentenced to death by burning. It was apparently his + good fortune to escape. Pursued by the sleuth hounds of intolerance he + fled to Geneva for protection. A dove flying from hawks, sought safety in + the nest of a vulture. This fugitive from the cruelty of Rome asked + shelter from John Calvin, who had written a book in favor of religious + toleration. Servetus had forgotten that this book was written by Calvin + when in the minority; that it was written in weakness to be forgotten in + power; that it was produced by fear instead of principle. He did not know + that Calvin had caused his arrest at Vienne, in France, and had sent a + copy of his work, which was claimed to be blasphemous, to the archbishop. + He did not then know that the Protestant Calvin was acting as one of the + detectives of the Catholic Church, and had been instrumental in procuring + his conviction for heresy. Ignorant of all this unspeakable infamy, he put + himself in the power of this very Calvin. The maker of the Presbyterian + creed caused the fugitive Serve-tus to be arrested for blasphemy. He was + tried. Calvin was his accuser. He was convicted and condemned to death by + fire. On the morning of the fatal day, Calvin saw him, and Servetus, the + victim, asked forgiveness of Calvin, the murderer. Servetus was bound to + the stake, and the fagots were lighted. The wind carried the flames + somewhat away from his body, so that he slowly roasted for hours. Vainly + he implored a speedy death. At last the flames climbed round his form; + through smoke and fire his murderers saw a white heroic face. And there + they watched until a man became a charred and shriveled mass. + </p> + <p> + Liberty was banished from Geneva, and nothing but Presbyterianism was + left. Honor, justice, mercy, reason and charity were all exiled, but the + five points of predestination, particular redemption, irresistible grace, + total depravity, and the certain perseverance of the saints remained + instead. + </p> + <p> + Calvin founded a little theocracy, modeled after the Old Testament, and + succeeded in erecting the most detestable government that ever existed, + except the one from which it was copied. + </p> + <p> + Against all this intolerance, one man, a minister, raised his voice. The + name of this man should never be forgotten. It was Castalio. This brave + man had the goodness and the courage to declare the innocence of honest + error. He was the first of the so-called reformers to take this noble + ground. I wish I had the genius to pay a fitting tribute to his memory. + Perhaps it would be impossible to pay him a grander compliment than to + say, Castalio was in all things the opposite of Calvin. To plead for the + right of individual judgment was considered a crime, and Castalio was + driven from Geneva by John Calvin. By him he was denounced as a child of + the devil, as a dog of Satan, as a beast from hell, and as one who, by + this horrid blasphemy of the innocence of honest error, crucified Christ + afresh, and by him he was pursued until rescued by the hand of death. + </p> + <p> + Upon the name of Castalio, Calvin heaped every epithet, until his malice + was nearly satisfied and his imagination entirely exhausted. It is + impossible to conceive how human nature can become so frightfully + perverted as to pursue a fellow-man with the malignity of a fiend, simply + because he is good, just, and generous. + </p> + <p> + Calvin was of a pallid, bloodless complexion, thin, sickly, irritable, + gloomy, impatient, egotistic, tyrannical, heartless, and infamous. He was + a strange compound of revengeful morality, malicious forgiveness, + ferocious charity, egotistic humility, and a kind of hellish justice. In + other words, he was as near like the God of the Old Testament as his + health permitted. + </p> + <p> + The best thing, however, about the Presbyterians of Geneva was, that they + denied the power of the Pope, and the best thing about the Pope was, that + he was not a Presbyterian. + </p> + <p> + The doctrines of Calvin spread rapidly, and were eagerly accepted by + multitudes on the continent; but Scotland, in a few years, became the real + fortress of Presbyterianism. The Scotch succeeded in establishing the same + kind of theocracy that flourished in Geneva. The clergy took possession + and control of everybody and everything. It is impossible to exaggerate + the mental degradation, the abject superstition of the people of Scotland + during the reign of Presbyterianism. Heretics were hunted and devoured as + though they had been wild beasts. The gloomy insanity of Presbyterianism + took possession of a great majority of the people. They regarded their + ministers as the Jews did Moses and Aaron. They believed that they were + the especial agents of God, and that whatsoever they bound in Scotland + would be bound in heaven. There was not one particle of intellectual + freedom. No man was allowed to differ with the church, or to even + contradict a priest. Had Presbyterianism maintained its ascendency, + Scotland would have been peopled by savages to-day. + </p> + <p> + The revengeful spirit of Calvin took possession of the Puritans, and + caused them to redden the soil of the New World with the brave blood of + honest men. Clinging to the five points of Calvin, they too established + governments in accordance with the teachings of the Old Testament. They + too attached the penalty of death to the expression of honest thought. + They too believed their church supreme, and exerted all their power to + curse this continent with a spiritual despotism as infamous as it was + absurd. They believed with Luther that universal toleration is universal + error, and universal error is universal hell. Toleration was denounced as + a crime. + </p> + <p> + Fortunately for us, civilization has had a softening effect even upon the + Presbyterian Church. To the ennobling influence of the arts and sciences + the savage spirit of Calvinism has, in some slight degree, succumbed. + True, the old creed remains substantially as it was written, but by a kind + of tacit understanding it has come to be regarded as a relic of the past. + The cry of "heresy" has been growing fainter and fainter, and, as a + consequence, the ministers of that denomination have ventured, now and + then, to express doubts as to the damnation of infants, and the doctrine + of total depravity. The fact is, the old ideas became a little monotonous + to the people. The fall of man, the scheme of redemption and irresistible + grace, began to have a familiar sound. The preachers told the old stories + while the congregations slept Some of the ministers became tired of these + stories themselves. The five points grew dull, and they felt that nothing + short of irresistible grace could bear this endless repetition. The + outside world was full of progress, and in every direction men advanced, + while this church, anchored to a creed, idly rotted at the shore. Other + denominations, imbued some little with the spirit of investigation, were + springing up on every side, while the old Presbyterian ark rested on the + Ararat of the past, filled with the theological monsters of another age. + </p> + <p> + Lured by the splendors of the outer world, tempted by the achievements of + science, longing to feel the throb and beat of the mighty march of the + human race, a few of the ministers of this conservative denomination were + compelled, by irresistible sense, to say a few words in harmony with the + splendid ideas of to-day. + </p> + <p> + These utterances have upon several occasions so nearly wakened some of the + members that, rubbing their eyes, they have feebly inquired whether these + grand ideas were not somewhat heretical. These ministers found that just + in the proportion that their orthodoxy decreased, their congregations + increased. Those who dealt in the pure unadulterated article found + themselves demonstrating the five points to a less number of hearers than + they had points. Stung to madness by this bitter truth, this galling + contrast, this harassing fact, the really orthodox have raised the cry of + heresy, and expect with this cry to seal the lips of honest men. One of + the Presbyterian ministers, and one who has been enjoying the luxury of a + little honest thought, and the real rapture of expressing it, has already + been indicted, and is about to be tried by the Presbytery of Illinois. He + is charged— + </p> + <p> + <i>First</i>. With having neglected to preach that most comforting and + consoling truth, the eternal damnation of the soul. + </p> + <p> + Surely, that man must be a monster who could wish to blot this blessed + doctrine out and rob earth's wretched children of this blissful hope! + </p> + <p> + Who can estimate the misery that has been caused by this most infamous + doctrine of eternal punishment? Think of the lives it has blighted—of + the tears it has caused—of the agony it has produced. Think of the + millions who have been driven to insanity by this most terrible of dogmas. + This doctrine renders God the basest and most cruel being in the universe. + Compared with him, the most frightful deities of the most barbarous and + degraded tribes are miracles of goodness and mercy. There is nothing more + degrading than to worship such a god. Lower than this the soul can never + sink. If the doctrine of eternal damnation is true, let me share the fate + of the unconverted; let me have my portion in hell, rather than in heaven + with a god infamous enough to inflict eternal misery upon any of the sons + of men. + </p> + <p> + <i>Second</i>. With having spoken a few kind words of Robert Collyer and + John Stuart Mill. + </p> + <p> + I have the honor of a slight acquaintance with Robert Collyer. I have read + with pleasure some of his exquisite productions. He has a brain full of + the dawn, the head of a philosopher, the imagination of a poet and the + sincere heart of a child. + </p> + <p> + Is a minister to be silenced because he speaks fairly of a noble and + candid adversary? Is it a crime to compliment a lover of justice, an + advocate of liberty; one who devotes his life to the elevation of man, the + discovery of truth, and the promulgation of what he believes to be right? + </p> + <p> + Can that tongue be palsied by a presbytery that praises a self-denying and + heroic life? Is it a sin to speak a charitable word over the grave of John + Stuart Mill? Is it heretical to pay a just and graceful tribute to + departed worth? Must the true Presbyterian violate the sanctity of the + tomb, dig open the grave and ask his God to curse the silent dust? Is + Presbyterianism so narrow that it conceives of no excellence, of no purity + of intention, of no spiritual and moral grandeur outside of its barbaric + creed? Does it still retain within its stony heart all the malice of its + founder? Is it still warming its fleshless hands at the flames that + consumed Servetus? Does it still glory in the damnation of infants, and + does it still persist in emptying the cradle in order that perdition may + be filled? Is it still starving the soul and famishing the heart? Is it + still trembling and shivering, crouching and crawling before its ignorant + Confession of Faith? + </p> + <p> + Had such men as Robert Collyer and John Stuart Mill been present at the + burning of Servetus, they would have extinguished the flames with their + tears. Had the presbytery of Chicago been there, they would have quietly + turned their backs, solemnly divided their coat tails, and warmed + themselves. + </p> + <p> + <i>Third</i>. With having spoken disparagingly of the doctrine of + predestination. + </p> + <p> + If there is any dogma that ought to be protected by law, predestination is + that doctrine. Surely it is a cheerful, joyous thing, to one who is + laboring, struggling, and suffering in this weary world, to think that + before he existed; before the earth was; before a star had glittered in + the heavens; before a ray of light had left the quiver of the sun, his + destiny had been irrevocably fixed, and that for an eternity before his + birth he had been doomed to bear eternal pain. + </p> + <p> + <i>Fourth.</i> With failing to preach the efficacy of a "vicarious + sacrifice." + </p> + <p> + Suppose a man had been convicted of murder, and was about to be hanged—the + governor acting as the executioner; and suppose that just as the doomed + man was about to suffer death some one in the crowd should step forward + and say, "I am willing to die in the place of that murderer. He has a + family, and I have none." And suppose further, that the governor should + reply, "Come forward, young man, your offer is accepted. A murder has been + committed and somebody must be hung, and your death will satisfy the law + just as well as the death of the murderer." What would you then think of + the doctrine of "vicarious sacrifice"? + </p> + <p> + This doctrine is the consummation of two outrages—forgiving one + crime and committing another. + </p> + <p> + <i>Fifth</i>. With having inculcated a phase of the doctrine commonly + known as "evolution," or "development". + </p> + <p> + The church believes and teaches the exact opposite of this doctrine. + According to the philosophy of theology, man has continued to degenerate + for six thousand years. To teach that there is that in nature which impels + to higher forms and grander ends, is heresy, of course. The Deity will + damn Spencer and his "Evolution," Darwin and his "Origin of Species," + Bastian and his "Spontaneous Generation," Huxley and his "Protoplasm," + Tyndall and his "Prayer Gauge," and will save those, and those only, who + declare that the universe has been cursed, from the smallest atom to the + grandest star; that everything tends to evil and to that only, and that + the only perfect thing in nature is the Presbyterian Confession of Faith. + </p> + <p> + <i>Sixth</i>. With having intimated that the reception of Socrates and + Penelope at heaven's gate was, to say the least, a trifle more cordial + than that of Catharine II. + </p> + <p> + Penelope, waiting patiently and trustfully for her lord's return, delaying + her suitors, while sadly weaving and unweaving the shroud of Laertes, is + the most perfect type of wife and woman produced by the civilization of + Greece. + </p> + <p> + Socrates, whose life was above reproach and whose death was beyond all + praise, stands to-day, in the estimation of every thoughtful man, at least + the peer of Christ. + </p> + <p> + Catharine II. assassinated her husband. Stepping upon his corpse, she + mounted the throne. She was the murderess of Prince Iwan, grand nephew of + Peter the Great, who was imprisoned for eighteen years, and who during all + that time saw the sky but once. Taken all in all, Catharine was probably + one of the most intellectual beasts that ever wore a crown. + </p> + <p> + Catharine, however, was the head of the Greek Church, Socrates was a + heretic and Penelope lived and died without having once heard of + "particular redemption" or of "irresistible grace." + </p> + <p> + <i>Seventh</i>. With repudiating the idea of a "call" to the ministry, and + pretending that men were "called" to preach as they were to the other + avocations of life. + </p> + <p> + If this doctrine is true, God, to say the least of it, is an exceedingly + poor judge of human nature. It is more than a century since a man of true + genius has been found in an orthodox pulpit. Every minister is heretical + just to the extent that intellect is above the average. The Lord seems to + be satisfied with mediocrity; but the people are not. + </p> + <p> + An old deacon, wishing to get rid of an unpopular preacher, advised him to + give up the ministry and turn his attention to something else. The + preacher replied that he could not conscientiously desert the pulpit, as + he had had a "call" to the ministry. To which the deacon replied, "That + may be so, but it's very unfortunate for you, that when God called you to + preach, he forgot to call anybody to hear you." + </p> + <p> + There is nothing more stupidly egotistic than the claim of the clergy that + they are, in some divine sense set apart to the service of the Lord; that + they have been chosen, and sanctified; that there is an infinite + difference between them and persons employed in secular affairs. They + teach us that all other professions must take care of themselves; that God + allows anybody to be a doctor, a lawyer, statesman, soldier, or artist; + that the Motts and Coopers—the Mansfields and Marshalls—the + Wilberforces and Sumners—the Angelos and Raphaels, were never + honored by a "call." They chose their professions and won their laurels + without the assistance of the Lord. All these men were left free to follow + their own inclinations, while God was busily engaged selecting and + "calling" priests, rectors, elders, ministers and exhorters. + </p> + <p> + <i>Eighth</i>. With having doubted that God was the author of the 109th + Psalm. + </p> + <p> + The portion of that psalm which carries with it the clearest and most + satisfactory evidences of inspiration, and which has afforded almost + unspeakable consolation to the Presbyterian Church, is as follows: + </p> + <p> + Set thou a wicked man over him; and let Satan stand at his right hand. + </p> + <p> + When he shall be judged, let him be condemned; and let his prayer become + sin. + </p> + <p> + Let his days be few; and let another take his office. + </p> + <p> + Let his children be fatherless and his wife a widow. + </p> + <p> + Let his children be continually vagabonds, and beg; let them seek their + bread also out of their desolate places. + </p> + <p> + Let the extortioner catch all that he hath; and let the stranger spoil his + labor. + </p> + <p> + Let there be none to extend mercy unto him; neither let there be any to + favor his fatherless children. + </p> + <p> + Let his posterity be cut off: and in the generation following let their + name be blotted out. + </p> + <p> + But do thou for me, O God the Lord, for Thy name's sake; because Thy mercy + is good, deliver Thou me.... I will greatly praise the Lord with my <i>mouth</i>. + </p> + <p> + Think of a God wicked and malicious enough to inspire this prayer. Think + of one infamous enough to answer it. + </p> + <p> + Had this inspired psalm been found in some temple erected for the worship + of snakes, or in the possession of some cannibal king, written with blood + upon the dried skins of babes, there would have been a perfect harmony + between its surroundings and its sentiments. + </p> + <p> + No wonder that the author of this inspired psalm coldly received Socrates + and Penelope, and reserved his sweetest smiles for Catharine the Second. + </p> + <p> + <i>Ninth.</i> With having said that the battles in which the Israelites + engaged, with the approval and command of Jehovah, surpassed in cruelty + those of Julius Cæsar. + </p> + <p> + Was it Julius Cæsar who said, "And the Lord our God delivered him + before us; and we smote him, and his sons, and all his people. And we took + all his cities, and utterly destroyed the men, and the women, and the + little ones, of every city, we left none to remain"? + </p> + <p> + Did Julius Cæsar send the following report to the Roman senate? "And + we took all his cities at that time, there was not a city which we took + not from them, three-score cities, all the region of Argob, the kingdom of + Og in Bashan. All these cities were fenced with high walls, gates, and + bars; beside unwalled towns a great many. And we utterly destroyed them, + as we did unto Sihon, king of Heshbon, utterly destroying the men, women, + and children of every city." + </p> + <p> + Did Cæsar take the city of Jericho "and utterly destroy all that was + in the city, both men and women, young and old"? Did he smite "all the + country of the hills, and of the south, and of the vale, and of the + springs, and all their kings, and leave none remaining that breathed, as + the Lord God had commanded"? + </p> + <p> + Search the records of the whole world, find out the history of every + barbarous tribe, and you can find no crime that touched a lower depth of + infamy than those the Bible's God commanded and approved. For such a God I + have no words to express my loathing and contempt, and all the words in + all the languages of man would scarcely be sufficient. Away with such a + God! Give me Jupiter rather, with Io and Europa, or even Siva with his + skulls and snakes. + </p> + <p> + <i>Tenth</i>. With having repudiated the doctrine of "total depravity." + </p> + <p> + What a precious doctrine is that of the total depravity of the human + heart! How sweet it is to believe that the lives of all the good and great + were continual sins and perpetual crimes; that the love a mother bears her + child is, in the sight of God, a sin; that the gratitude of the natural + heart is simple meanness; that the tears of pity are impure; that for the + unconverted to live and labor for others is an offence to heaven; that the + noblest aspirations of the soul are low and groveling in the sight of God; + that man should fall upon his knees and ask forgiveness, simply for loving + his wife and child, and that even the act of asking forgiveness is in fact + a crime! + </p> + <p> + Surely it is a kind of bliss to feel that every woman and child in the + wide world, with the exception of those who believe the five points, or + some other equally cruel creed, and such children as have been baptized, + ought at this very moment to be dashed down to the lowest glowing gulf of + hell. + </p> + <p> + Take from the Christian the history of his own church—leave that + entirely out of the question—and he has no argument left with which + to substantiate the total depravity of man. + </p> + <p> + <i>Eleventh</i>. With having doubted the "perseverance of the saints." + </p> + <p> + I suppose the real meaning of this doctrine is, that Presbyterians are + just as sure of going to heaven as all other folks are of going to hell. + The real idea being, that it all depends upon the will of God, and not + upon the character of the person to be damned or saved; that God has the + weakness to send Presbyterians to Paradise, and the justice to doom the + rest of mankind to eternal fire. + </p> + <p> + It is admitted that no unconverted brain can see the least particle of + sense in this doctrine; that it is abhorrent to all who have not been the + recipients of a "new heart;" that only the perfectly good can justify the + perfectly infamous. + </p> + <p> + It is contended that the saints do not persevere of their own free will—that + they are entitled to no credit for persevering; but that God forces them + to persevere, while on the other hand, every crime is committed in + accordance with the secret will of God, who does all things for his own + glory. + </p> + <p> + Compared with this doctrine, there is no other idea, that has ever been + believed by man, that can properly be called absurd. + </p> + <p> + <i>Twelfth</i>. With having spoken and written somewhat lightly of the + idea of converting the heathen with doctrinal sermons. + </p> + <p> + Of all the failures of which we have any history or knowledge, the + missionary effort is the most conspicuous. The whole question has been + decided here, in our own country, and conclusively settled. We have nearly + exterminated the Indians, but we have converted none. From the days of + John Eliot to the execution of the last Modoc, not one Indian has been the + subject of irresistible grace or particular redemption. The few red men + who roam the western wilderness have no thought or care concerning the + five points of Calvin. They are utterly oblivious to the great and vital + truths contained in the Thirty-nine Articles, the Saybrook platform, and + the resolutions of the Evangelical Alliance. No Indian has ever scalped + another on account of his religious belief. This of itself shows + conclusively that the missionaries have had no effect Why should we + convert the heathen of China and kill our own? Why should we send + missionaries across the seas, and soldiers over the plains? Why should we + send Bibles to the east and muskets to the west? If it is impossible to + convert Indians who have no religion of their own; no prejudice for or + against the "eternal procession of the Holy Ghost," how can we expect to + convert a heathen who has a religion; who has plenty of gods and Bibles + and prophets and Christs, and who has a religious literature far grander + than our own? Can we hope with the story of Daniel in the lions' den to + rival the stupendous miracles of India? Is there anything in our Bible as + lofty and loving as the prayer of the Buddhist? Compare your "Confession + of Faith" with the following: "Never will I seek nor receive private + individual salvation—never enter into final peace alone; but forever + and everywhere will I live and strive for the universal redemption of + every creature throughout all worlds. Until all are delivered, never will + I leave the world of sin, sorrow, and struggle, but will remain where I + am." + </p> + <p> + Think of sending an average Presbyterian to convert a man who daily offers + this tender, this infinitely generous, this incomparable prayer. Think of + reading the 109th Psalm to a heathen who has a Bible of his own in which + is found this passage: "Blessed is that man and beloved of all the gods, + who is afraid of no man, and of whom no man is afraid." + </p> + <p> + Why should you read even the New Testament to a Hindu, when his own + Chrishna has said, "If a man strike thee, and in striking drop his staff, + pick it up and hand it to him again"? Why send a Presbyterian to a Sufi, + who says, "Better one moment of silent contemplation and inward love, than + seventy thousand years of outward worship"? "Whoso would carelessly tread + one worm that crawls on earth, that heartless one is darkly alienate from + God; but he that, living, embraceth all things in his love, to live with + him God bursts all bounds above, below." Why should we endeavor to thrust + our cruel and heartless theology upon one who prays this prayer: "O God, + show pity toward the wicked; for on the good thou hast already bestowed + thy mercy by having created them virtuous"? + </p> + <p> + Compare this prayer with the curses and cruelties of the Old Testament—with + the infamies commanded and approved by the being whom we are taught to + worship as a God—and with the following tender product of + Presbyterianism: "It may seem absurd to human wisdom that God should + harden, blind, and deliver up some men to a reprobate sense; that he + should first deliver them over to evil, and then condemn them for that + evil; but the believing spiritual man sees no absurdity in all this, + knowing that God would be never a whit less good even though he should + destroy all men." + </p> + <p> + Of all the religions that have been produced by the egotism, the malice, + the ignorance and ambition of man, Presbyterianism is the most hideous. + </p> + <p> + But what shall I say more, for the time would fail me to tell of + Sabellianism, of a "Modal Trinity," and the "Eternal Procession of the + Holy Ghost"? + </p> + <p> + Upon these charges, a minister is to be tried, here in Chicago; in this + city of pluck and progress—this marvel of energy—this miracle + of nerve. The cry of "heresy," here, sounds like a wail from the Dark Ages—a + shriek from the Inquisition, or a groan from the grave of Calvin. + </p> + <p> + Another effort is being made to enslave a man. + </p> + <p> + It is claimed that every member of the church has solemnly agreed never to + outgrow the creed; that he has pledged himself to remain an intellectual + dwarf. Upon this condition the church agrees to save his soul, and he + hands over his brains to bind the bargain. Should a fact be found + inconsistent with the creed, he binds himself to deny the fact and curse + the finder. With scraps of dogmas and crumbs of doctrine, he agrees that + his soul shall be satisfied forever. What an intellectual feast the + Confession of Faith must be! It reminds one of the dinner described by + Sydney Smith, where everything was cold except the water, and everything + sour except the vinegar. + </p> + <p> + Every member of a church promises to remain orthodox, that is to say—stationary. + Growth is heresy. Orthodox ideas are the feathers that have been moulted + by the eagle of progress. They are the dead leaves under the majestic + palm, while heresy is the bud and blossom at the top. + </p> + <p> + Imagine a vine that grows at one end and decays at the other. The end that + grows is heresy, the end that rots is orthodox The dead are orthodox, and + your cemetery is the most perfect type of a well regulated church. No + thought, no progress, no heresy there. Slowly and silently, side by side, + the satisfied members peacefully decay. There is only this difference—the + dead do not persecute. + </p> + <p> + And what does a trial for heresy mean? It means that the church says to a + heretic, "Believe as I do, or I will withdraw my support. I will not + employ you. I will pursue you until your garments are rags; until your + children cry for bread; until your cheeks are furrowed with tears. I will + hunt you to the very portals of the tomb, and then my God will do the rest + I will not imprison you. I will not burn you. The law prevents my doing + that. I helped make the law, not however to protect you, nor to deprive me + of the right to exterminate you but in order to keep other churches from + exterminating me." A trial for heresy means that the spirit of persecution + still lingers in the church; that it still denies the right of private + judgment; that it still thinks more of creed than truth, and that it is + still determined to prevent the intellectual growth of man. It means that + churches are shambles in which are bought and sold the souls of men. It + means that the church is still guilty of the barbarity of opposing thought + with force. It means that if it had the power, the mental horizon would be + bounded by a creed; that it would bring again the whips and chains and + dungeon keys, the rack and fagot of the past. + </p> + <p> + But let me tell the church it lacks the power. There have been, and still + are, too many men who own themselves—too much thought, too much + knowledge for the church to grasp again the sword of power. The church + must abdicate. For the Eglon of superstition Science has a message from + Truth. + </p> + <p> + The heretics have not thought and suffered and died in vain. Every heretic + has been, and is, a ray of light. Not in vain did Voltaire, that great + man, point from the foot of the Alps the finger of scorn at every + hypocrite in Europe. Not in vain were the splendid utterances of the + infidels, while beyond all price are the discoveries of science. + </p> + <p> + The church has impeded, but it has not and it cannot stop the onward march + of the human race. Heresy cannot be burned, nor imprisoned, nor starved. + It laughs at presbyteries and synods, at ecumenical councils and the + impotent thunders of Sinai. Heresy is the eternal dawn, the morning star, + the glittering herald of the day. Heresy is the last and best thought. It + is the perpetual New World, the unknown sea, toward which the brave all + sail. It is the eternal horizon of progress. + </p> + <p> + Heresy extends the hospitalities of the brain to a new thought. + </p> + <p> + Heresy is a cradle; orthodoxy, a coffin. + </p> + <p> + Why should man be afraid to think, and why should he fear to express his + thoughts? + </p> + <p> + Is it possible that an infinite Deity is unwilling that a man should + investigate the phenomena by which he is surrounded? Is it possible that a + god delights in threatening and terrifying men? What glory, what honor and + renown a god must win on such a field! The ocean raving at a drop; a star + envious of a candle; the sun jealous of a fire-fly. + </p> + <p> + Go on, presbyteries and synods, go on! Thrust the heretics out of the + church—that is to say, throw away your brains,—put out your + eyes. The infidels will thank you. They are willing to adopt your exiles. + Every deserter from your camp is a recruit for the army of progress. Cling + to the ignorant dogmas of the past; read the 109th Psalm; gloat over the + slaughter of mothers and babes; thank God for total depravity; shower your + honors upon hypocrites, and silence every minister who is touched with + that heresy called genius. + </p> + <p> + Be true to your history. Turn out the astronomers, the geologists, the + naturalists, the chemists, and all the honest scientists. With a whip of + scorpions, drive them all out. We want them all. Keep the ignorant, the + superstitious, the bigoted, and the writers of charges and specifications. + </p> + <p> + Keep them, and keep them all. Repeat your pious platitudes in the drowsy + ears of the faithful, and read your Bible to heretics, as kings read some + forgotten riot-act to stop and stay the waves of revolution. You are too + weak to excite anger. We forgive your efforts as the sun forgives a cloud—as + the air forgives the breath you waste. + </p> + <p> + How long, O how long, will man listen to the threats of God, and shut his + eyes to the splendid possibilities of Nature? How long, O how long will + man remain the cringing slave of a false and cruel creed? + </p> + <p> + By this time the whole world should know that the real Bible has not yet + been written, but is being written, and that it will never be finished + until the race begins its downward march, or ceases to exist. + </p> + <p> + The real Bible is not the work of inspired men, nor prophets, nor + apostles, nor evangelists, nor of Christs. Every man who finds a fact, + adds, as it were, a word to this great book. It is not attested by + prophecy, by miracles or signs. It makes no appeal to faith, to ignorance, + to credulity or fear. It has no punishment for unbelief, and no reward for + hypocrisy. It appeals to man in the name of demonstration. It has nothing + to conceal. It has no fear of being read, of being contradicted, of being + investigated and understood. It does not pretend to be holy, or sacred; it + simply claims to be true. It challenges the scrutiny of all, and implores + every reader to verify every line for himself. It is incapable of being + blasphemed. This book appeals to all the surroundings of man. Each thing + that exists testifies of its perfection. The earth, with its heart of fire + and crowns of snow; with its forests and plains, its rocks and seas; with + its every wave and cloud; with its every leaf and bud and flower, confirms + its every word, and the solemn stars, shining in the infinite abysses, are + the eternal witnesses of its truth. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0007" id="link0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE GHOSTS. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + TO + EBON C. INGERSOLL, + MY BROTHER, + FROM WHOSE LIPS I HEARD THE FIRST APPLAUSE, + AND WITH WHOSE NAME I WISH MY OWN + ASSOCIATED UNTIL BOTH ARE FORGOTTEN, + THIS VOLUME IS DEDICATED. +</pre> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + PREFACE + </h2> + <p> + These lectures have been so maimed and mutilated by orthodox malice; have + been made to appear so halt, crutched and decrepit by those who mistake + the pleasures of calumny for the duties of religion, that in simple + justice to myself I concluded to publish them. + </p> + <p> + Most of the clergy are, or seem to be, utterly incapable of discussing + anything in a fair and catholic spirit. They appeal, not to reason, but to + prejudice; not to facts, but to passages of Scripture. They can conceive + of no goodness, of no spiritual exaltation beyond the horizon of their + creed. Whoever differs with them upon what they are pleased to call + "fundamental truths," is, in their opinion, a base and infamous man. To + re-enact the tragedies of the sixteenth century, they lack only the power. + Bigotry in all ages has been the same. Christianity simply transferred the + brutality of the Colosseum to the Inquisition. For the murderous combat of + the gladiators, the saints substituted the <i>auto de fe</i>. What has + been called religion is, after all, but the organization of the wild beast + in man. The perfumed blossom of arrogance is heaven. Hell is the + consummation of revenge. + </p> + <p> + The chief business of the clergy has always been to destroy the joy of + life, and multiply and magnify the terrors and tortures of death and + perdition. They have polluted the heart and paralyzed the brain; and upon + the ignorant altars of the Past and the Dead, they have endeavored to + sacrifice the Present and the Living. + </p> + <p> + Nothing can exceed the mendacity of the religious press. I have had some + little experience with political editors, and am forced to say, that until + I read the religious papers, I did not know what malicious and slimy + falsehoods could be constructed from ordinary words. The ingenuity with + which the real and apparent meaning can be tortured out of language, is + simply amazing. The average religious editor is intolerant and insolent; + he knows nothing of affairs; he has the envy of failure, the malice of + impotence, and always accounts for the brave and generous actions of + unbelievers, by low, base and unworthy motives. + </p> + <p> + By this time, even the clergy should know that the intellect of the + nineteenth century needs no guardian. They should cease to regard + themselves as shepherds defending flocks of weak, silly and fearful sheep + from the claws and teeth of ravening wolves. By this time they should know + that the religion of the ignorant and brutal Past no longer satisfies the + heart and brain; that the miracles have become contemptible; that the + "evidences" have ceased to convince; that the spirit of investigation + cannot be stopped nor stayed; that the church is losing her power; that + the young are holding in a kind of tender contempt the sacred follies of + the old; that the pulpit and pews no longer represent the culture and + morality of the world, and that the brand of intellectual inferiority is + upon the orthodox brain. + </p> + <p> + Men should be liberated from the aristocracy of the air. Every chain of + superstition should be broken. The rights of men and women should be equal + and sacred—marriage should be a perfect partnership—children + should be governed by kindness,—every family should be a republic—every + fireside a democracy. + </p> + <p> + It seems almost impossible for religious people to really grasp the idea + of intellectual freedom. They seem to think that man is responsible for + his honest thoughts; that unbelief is a crime; that investigation is + sinful; that credulity is a virtue, and that reason is a dangerous guide. + They cannot divest themselves of the idea that in the realm of thought + there must be government—authority and obedience—laws and + penalties—rewards and punishments, and that somewhere in the + universe there is a penitentiary for the soul. + </p> + <p> + In the republic of mind, <i>one</i> is a majority. There, all are + monarchs, and all are equals. The tyranny of a majority even is unknown. + Each one is crowned, sceptered and throned. Upon every brow is the tiara, + and around every form is the imperial purple. Only those are good citizens + who express their honest thoughts, and those who persecute for opinion's + sake, are the only traitors. There, nothing is considered infamous except + an appeal to brute force, and nothing sacred but love, liberty, and joy. + The church contemplates this republic with a sneer. From the teeth of + hatred she draws back the lips of scorn. She is filled with the spite and + spleen born of intellectual weakness. Once she was egotistic; now she is + envious. + </p> + <p> + Once she wore upon her hollow breast false gems, supposing them to be + real. They have been shown to be false, but she wears them still. She has + the malice of the caught, the hatred of the exposed. + </p> + <p> + We are told to investigate the Bible for ourselves, and at the same time + informed that if we come to the conclusion that it is not the inspired + word of God, we will most assuredly be damned. Under such circumstances, + if we believe this, investigation is impossible. Whoever is held + responsible for his conclusions cannot weigh the evidence with impartial + scales. Fear stands at the balance, and gives to falsehood the weight of + its trembling hand. + </p> + <p> + I oppose the church because she is the enemy of liberty; because her + dogmas are infamous and cruel; because she humiliates and degrades woman; + because she teaches the doctrines of eternal torment and the natural + depravity of man; because she insists upon the absurd, the impossible, and + the senseless; because she resorts to falsehood and slander; because she + is arrogant and revengeful; because she allows men to sin on a credit; + because she discourages self-reliance, and laughs at good works; because + she believes in vicarious virtue and vicarious vice—vicarious + punishment and vicarious reward; because she regards repentance of more + importance than restitution, and because she sacrifices the world we have + to one we know not of. + </p> + <p> + The free and generous, the tender and affectionate, will understand me. + Those who have escaped from the grated cells of a creed will appreciate my + motives. The sad and suffering wives, the trembling and loving children + will thank me: This is enough. + </p> + <p> + Robert G. Ingersoll. + </p> + <p> + Washington, D. C., + </p> + <p> + April 13, 1878. + </p> + <p> + THE GHOSTS, + </p> + <p> + LET THEM COVER THEIR EYELESS SOCKETS WITH THEIR FLESHLESS HANDS AND FADE + FOREVER FROM THE IMAGINATION OF MEN. + </p> + <p> + HERE are three theories by which men account for all phenomena, for + everything that happens: First, the Supernatural; Second, the Supernatural + and Natural; Third, the Natural. Between these theories there has been, + from the dawn of civilization, a continual conflict. In this great war, + nearly all the soldiers have been in the ranks of the supernatural. The + believers in the supernatural insist that matter is controlled and + directed entirely by powers from without; while naturalists maintain that + Nature acts from within; that Nature is not acted upon; that the universe + is all there is; that Nature with infinite arms embraces everything that + exists, and that all supposed powers beyond the limits of the material are + simply ghosts. You say, "Oh, this is materialism!" What is matter? I take + in my hand some earth:—in this dust put seeds. Let the arrows of + light from the quiver of the sun smite upon it; let the rain fall upon it. + The seeds will grow and a plant will bud and blossom. Do you understand + this? Can you explain it better than you can the production of thought? + Have you the slightest conception of what it really is? And yet you speak + of matter as though acquainted with its origin, as though you had torn + from the clenched hands of the rocks the secrets of material existence. Do + you know what force is? Can you account for molecular action? Are you + really familiar with chemistry, and can you account for the loves and + hatreds of the atoms? Is there not something in matter that forever + eludes? After all, can you get beyond, above or below appearances? Before + you cry "materialism!" had you not better ascertain what matter really is? + Can you think even of anything without a material basis? Is it possible to + imagine the annihilation of a single atom? Is it possible for you to + conceive of the creation of an atom? Can you have a thought that was not + suggested to you by what you call matter? + </p> + <p> + Our fathers denounced materialism, and accounted for all phenomena by the + caprice of gods and devils. + </p> + <p> + For thousands of years it was believed that ghosts, good and bad, + benevolent and malignant, weak and powerful, in some mysterious way, + produced all phenomena; that disease and health, happiness and misery, + fortune and misfortune, peace and war, life and death, success and + failure, were but arrows from the quivers of these ghosts; that shadowy + phantoms rewarded and punished mankind; that they were pleased and + displeased by the actions of men; that they sent and withheld the snow, + the light, and the rain; that they blessed the earth with harvests or + cursed it with famine; that they fed or starved the children of men; that + they crowned and uncrowned kings; that they took sides in war; that they + controlled the winds; that they gave prosperous voyages, allowing the + brave mariner to meet his wife and child inside the harbor bar, or sent + the storms, strewing the sad shores with wrecks of ships and the bodies of + men. + </p> + <p> + Formerly, these ghosts were believed to be almost innumerable. Earth, air, + and water were filled with these phantom hosts. In modern times they have + greatly decreased in number, because the second theory,—a mingling + of the supernatural and natural,—has generally been adopted. The + remaining ghosts, however, are supposed to perform the same offices as the + hosts of yore. + </p> + <p> + It has always been believed that these ghosts could in some way be + appeased; that they could be flattered by sacrifices, by prayer, by + fasting, by the building of temples and cathedrals, by the blood of men + and beasts, by forms and ceremonies, by chants, by kneelings and + prostrations, by flagellations and maimings, by renouncing the joys of + home, by living alone in the wide desert, by the practice of celibacy, by + inventing instruments of torture, by destroying men, women and children, + by covering the earth with dungeons, by burning unbelievers, by putting + chains upon the thoughts and manacles upon the limbs of men, by believing + things without evidence and against evidence, by disbelieving and denying + demonstration, by despising facts, by hating reason, by denouncing + liberty, by maligning heretics, by slandering the dead, by subscribing to + senseless and cruel creeds, by discouraging investigation, by worshiping a + book, by the cultivation of credulity, by observing certain times and + days, by counting beads, by gazing at crosses, by hiring others to repeat + verses and prayers, by burning candles and ringing bells, by enslaving + each other and putting out the eyes of the soul. All this has been done to + appease and flatter these monsters of the air. + </p> + <p> + In the history of our poor world, no horror has been omitted, no infamy + has been left undone by the believers in ghosts,—by the worshipers + of these fleshless phantoms. And yet these shadows were born of cowardice + and malignity. They were painted by the pencil of fear upon the canvas of + ignorance by that artist called superstition. + </p> + <p> + From these ghosts, our fathers received information. They were the + schoolmasters of our ancestors. They were the scientists and philosophers, + the geologists, legislators, astronomers, physicians, metaphysicians and + historians of the past. For ages these ghosts were supposed to be the only + source of real knowledge. They inspired men to write books, and the books + were considered sacred. If facts were found to be inconsistent with these + books, so much the worse for the facts, and especially for their + discoverers. It was then, and still is, believed that these books are the + basis of the idea of immortality; that to give up these volumes, or rather + the idea that they are inspired, is to renounce the idea of immortality. + This I deny. + </p> + <p> + The idea of immortality, that like a sea has ebbed and flowed in the human + heart, with its countless waves of hope and fear, beating against the + shores and rocks of time and fate, was not born of any book, nor of any + creed, nor of any religion. It was born of human affection, and it will + continue to ebb and flow beneath the mists and clouds of doubt and + darkness as long as love kisses the lips of death. It is the rainbow—Hope + shining upon the tears of grief. + </p> + <p> + From the books written by the ghosts we have at last ascertained that they + knew nothing about the world in which we live. Did they know anything + about the next? Upon every point where contradiction is possible, they + have been contradicted. + </p> + <p> + By these ghosts, by these citizens of the air, the affairs of government + were administered; all authority to govern came from them. The emperors, + kings and potentates all had commissions from these phantoms. Man was not + considered as the source of any power whatever. To rebel against the king + was to rebel against the ghosts, and nothing less than the blood of the + offender could appease the invisible phantom or the visible tyrant. + Kneeling was the proper position to be assumed by the multitude. The + prostrate were the good. Those who stood erect were infidels and traitors. + In the name and by the authority of the ghosts, man was enslaved, crushed, + and plundered. The many toiled wearily in the storm and sun that the few + favorites of the ghosts might live in idleness. The many lived in huts, + and caves, and dens, that the few might dwell in palaces. The many covered + themselves with rags, that the few might robe themselves in purple and in + gold. The many crept, and cringed, and crawled, that the few might tread + upon their flesh with iron feet. + </p> + <p> + From the ghosts men received, not only authority, but information of every + kind. They told us the form of this earth. They informed us that eclipses + were caused by the sins of man; that the universe was made in six days; + that astronomy, and geology were devices of wicked men, instigated by + wicked ghosts; that gazing at the sky with a telescope was a dangerous + thing; that digging into the earth was sinful curiosity; that trying to be + wise above what they had written was born of a rebellious and irreverent + spirit. + </p> + <p> + They told us there was no virtue like belief, and no crime like doubt; + that investigation was pure impudence, and the punishment therefor, + eternal torment. They not only told us all about this world, but about two + others; and if their statements about the other worlds are as true as + about this, no one can estimate the value of their information. + </p> + <p> + For countless ages the world was governed by ghosts, and they spared no + pains to change the eagle of the human intellect into a bat of darkness. + To accomplish this infamous purpose; to drive the love of truth from the + human heart; to prevent the advancement of mankind; to shut out from the + world every ray of intellectual light; to pollute every mind with + superstition, the power of kings, the cunning and cruelty of priests, and + the wealth of nations were exhausted. + </p> + <p> + During these years of persecution, ignorance, superstition and slavery, + nearly all the people, the kings, lawyers, doctors, the learned and the + unlearned, believed in that frightful production of ignorance, fear, and + faith, called witchcraft. They believed that man was the sport and prey of + devils. They really thought that the very air was thick with these enemies + of man. With few exceptions, this hideous and infamous belief was + universal. Under these conditions, progress was almost impossible. + </p> + <p> + Fear paralyzes the brain. Progress is born of courage. Fear believes—courage + doubts. Fear falls upon the earth and prays—courage stands erect and + thinks. Fear retreats—courage advances. Fear is barbarism—courage + is civilization. Fear believes in witchcraft, in devils and in ghosts. + Fear is religion—courage is science. + </p> + <p> + The facts, upon which this terrible belief rested, were proved over and + over again in every court of Europe. Thousands confessed themselves guilty—admitted + that they had sold themselves to the devil. They gave the particulars of + the sale; told what they said and what the devil replied. They confessed + this, when they knew that confession was death; knew that their property + would be confiscated, and their children left to beg their bread. This is + one of the miracles of history—one of the strangest contradictions + of the human mind. Without doubt, they really believed themselves guilty. + In the first place, they believed in witchcraft as a fact, and when + charged with it, they probably became insane. In their insanity they + confessed their guilt. They found themselves abhorred and deserted—charged + with a crime that they could not disprove. Like a man in quicksand, every + effort only sunk them deeper. Caught in this frightful web, at the mercy + of the spiders of superstition, hope fled, and nothing remained but the + insanity of confession. The whole world appeared to be insane. + </p> + <p> + In the time of James the First, a man was executed for causing a storm at + sea with the intention of drowning one of the royal family. How could he + disprove it? How could he show that he did not cause the storm? All storms + were at that time generally supposed to be caused by the devil—the + prince of the power of the air—and by those whom he assisted. + </p> + <p> + I implore you to remember that the believers in such impossible things + were the authors of our creeds and confessions of faith. + </p> + <p> + A woman was tried and convicted before Sir Matthew Hale, one of the great + judges and lawyers of England, for having caused children to vomit crooked + pins. She was also charged with having nursed devils. The learned judge + charged the intelligent jury that there was no doubt as to the existence + of witches; that it was established by all history, and expressly taught + by the Bible. + </p> + <p> + The woman was hanged and her body burned. + </p> + <p> + Sir Thomas More declared that to give up witchcraft was to throw away the + sacred Scriptures. In my judgment, he was right. + </p> + <p> + John Wesley was a firm believer in ghosts and witches, and insisted upon + it, years after all laws upon the subject had been repealed in England. I + beg of you to remember that John Wesley was the founder of the Methodist + Church. + </p> + <p> + In New England, a woman was charged with being a witch, and with having + changed herself into a fox. While in that condition she was attacked and + bitten by some dogs. A committee of three men, by order of the court, + examined this woman. They removed her clothing and searched for "witch + spots." That is to say, spots into which needles could be thrust without + giving her pain. They reported to the court that such spots were found. + She denied, however, that she ever had changed herself into a fox. Upon + the report of the committee she was found guilty and actually executed. + This was done by our Puritan fathers, by the gentlemen who braved the + dangers of the deep for the sake of worshiping God and persecuting their + fellow-men. + </p> + <p> + In those days people believed in what was known as lycanthropy—that + is, that persons, with the assistance of the devil, could assume the form + of wolves. An instance is given where a man was attacked by a wolf. He + defended himself, and succeeded in cutting off one of the animal's paws. + The wolf ran away. The man picked up the paw, put it in his pocket and + carried it home. There he found his wife with one of her hands gone. He + took the paw from his pocket. It had changed to a human hand. He charged + his wife with being a witch. She was tried. She confessed her guilt, and + was burned. + </p> + <p> + People were burned for causing frosts in summer—for destroying crops + with hail—for causing storms—for making cows go dry, and even + for souring beer. There was no impossibility for which some one was not + tried and convicted. The life of no one was secure. To be charged, was to + be convicted. Every man was at the mercy of every other. This infamous + belief was so firmly seated in the minds of the people, that to express a + doubt as to its truth was to be suspected. Whoever denied the existence of + witches and devils was denounced as an infidel. + </p> + <p> + They believed that animals were often taken possession of by devils, and + that the killing of the animal would destroy the devil. They absolutely + tried, convicted, and executed dumb beasts. + </p> + <p> + At Basle, in 1470, a rooster was tried upon the charge of having laid an + egg. Rooster eggs were used only in making witch ointment,—this + everybody knew. The rooster was convicted and with all due solemnity was + burned in the public square. So a hog and six pigs were tried for having + killed and partially eaten a child. The hog was convicted,—but the + pigs, on account probably of their extreme youth, were acquitted. As late + as 1740, a cow was tried and convicted of being possessed by a devil. + </p> + <p> + They used to exorcise rats, locusts, snakes and vermin. They used to go + through the alleys, streets, and fields, and warn them to leave within a + certain number of days. In case they disobeyed, they were threatened with + pains and penalties. + </p> + <p> + But let us be careful how we laugh at these things. Let us not pride + ourselves too much on the progress of our age. We must not forget that + some of our people are yet in the same intelligent business. Only a little + while ago, the governor of Minnesota appointed a day of fasting and + prayer, to see if some power could not be induced to kill the + grasshoppers, or send them into some other state. + </p> + <p> + About the close of the fifteenth century, so great was the excitement with + regard to the existence of witchcraft that Pope Innocent VIII. issued a + bull directing the inquisitors to be vigilant in searching out and + punishing all guilty of this crime. Forms for the trial were regularly + laid down in a book or a pamphlet called the "Malleus Maleficorum" (Hammer + of Witches), which was issued by the Roman See. Popes Alexander, Leo, and + Adrian, issued like bulls. For two hundred and fifty years the church was + busy in punishing the impossible crime of witchcraft; in burning, hanging + and torturing men, women, and children. Protestants were as active as + Catholics, and in Geneva five hundred witches were burned at the stake in + a period of three months. About one thousand were executed in one year in + the diocese of Como. At least one hundred thousand victims suffered in + Germany alone: the last execution (in Wurtzburg) taking place as late as + 1749. Witches were burned in Switzerland as late as 1780. + </p> + <p> + In England the same frightful scenes were enacted. Statutes were passed + from Henry VI. to James I., defining the crime and its punishment. The + last act passed by the British parliament was when Lord Bacon was a member + of the House of Commons; and this act was not repealed until 1736. + </p> + <p> + Sir William Blackstone, in his Commentaries on the Laws of England, says: + "To deny the possibility, nay, actual existence of witchcraft and sorcery, + is at once flatly to contradict the word of God in various passages both + of the Old and New Testament; and the thing itself is a truth to which + every nation in the world hath in its turn borne testimony, either by + examples seemingly well attested, or by prohibitory laws, which at least + suppose the possibility of a commerce with evil spirits." + </p> + <p> + In Brown's Dictionary of the Bible, published at Edinburg, Scotland, in + 1807, it is said that: "A witch is a woman that has dealings with Satan. + That such persons are among men is abundantly plain from Scripture, and + that they ought to be put to death." + </p> + <p> + This work was re-published in Albany, New York, in 1816. No wonder the + clergy of that city are ignorant and bigoted even unto this day. + </p> + <p> + In 1716, Mrs. Hicks and her daughter, nine years of age, were hanged for + selling their souls to the devil, and raising a storm by pulling off their + stockings and making a lather of soap. + </p> + <p> + In England it has been estimated that at least thirty thousand were hanged + and burned. The last victim executed in Scotland, perished in 1722. "She + was an innocent old woman, who had so little idea of her situation as to + rejoice at the sight of the fire which was destined to consume her. She + had a daughter, lame both of hands and of feet—a circumstance + attributed to the witch having been used to transform her daughter into a + pony and getting her shod by the devil." + </p> + <p> + In 1692, nineteen persons were executed and one pressed to death in Salem, + Massachusetts, for the crime of witchcraft. + </p> + <p> + It was thought in those days that men and women made compacts with the + devil, orally and in writing. That they abjured God and Jesus Christ, and + dedicated themselves wholly to the devil. The contracts were confirmed at + a general meeting of witches and ghosts, over which the devil himself + presided; and the persons generally signed the articles of agreement with + their own blood. These contracts were, in some instances, for a few years; + in others, for life. General assemblies of the witches were held at least + once a year, at which they appeared entirely naked, besmeared with an + ointment made from the bodies of unbaptized infants. "To these meetings + they rode from great distances on broomsticks, pokers, goats, hogs, and + dogs. Here they did homage to the prince of hell, and offered him + sacrifices of young children, and practiced all sorts of license until the + break of day." + </p> + <p> + "As late as 1815, Belgium was disgraced by a witch trial; and guilt was + established by the water ordeal." "In 1836, the populace of Hela, near + Dantzic, twice plunged into the sea a woman reputed to be a sorceress; and + as the miserable creature persisted in rising to the surface, she was + pronounced guilty, and beaten to death." + </p> + <p> + "It was believed that the bodies of devils are not like those of men and + animals, cast in an unchangeable mould. It was thought they were like + clouds, refined and subtle matter, capable of assuming any form and + penetrating into any orifice. The horrible tortures they endured in their + place of punishment rendered them extremely sensitive to suffering, and + they continually sought a temperate and somewhat moist warmth in order to + allay their pangs. It was for this reason they so frequently entered into + men and women." + </p> + <p> + The devil could transport men, at his will, through the air. He could + beget children; and Martin Luther himself had come in contact with one of + these children. He recommended the mother to throw the child into the + river, in order to free their house from the presence of a devil. + </p> + <p> + It was believed that the devil could transform people into any shape he + pleased. + </p> + <p> + Whoever denied these things was denounced as an infidel. All the believers + in witchcraft confidently appealed to the Bible. Their mouths were filled + with passages demonstrating the existence of witches and their power Over + human beings. By the Bible they proved that innumerable evil spirits were + ranging over the world endeavoring to ruin mankind; that these spirits + possessed a power and wisdom far transcending the limits of human + faculties; that they delighted in every misfortune that could befall the + world; that their malice was superhuman. That they caused tempests was + proved by the action of the devil toward Job; by the passage in the book + of Revelation describing the four angels who held the four winds, and to + whom it was given to afflict the earth. They believed the devil could + carry persons hundreds of miles, in a few seconds, through the air. They + believed this, because they knew that Christ had been carried by the devil + in the same manner and placed on a pinnacle of the temple. "The prophet + Habakkuk had been transported by a spirit from Judea to Babylon; and + Philip, the evangelist, had been the object of a similar miracle; and in + the same way Saint Paul had been carried in the body into the third + heaven." + </p> + <p> + "In those pious days, they believed that <i>Incubi</i> and <i>Succubi</i> + were forever wandering among mankind, alluring, by more than human charms, + the unwary to their destruction, and laying plots, which were too often + successful, against the virtue of the saints. Sometimes the witches + kindled in the monastic priest a more terrestrial fire. People told, with + bated breath, how, under the spell of a vindictive woman, four successive + abbots in a German monastery had been wasted away by an unholy flame." + </p> + <p> + An instance is given in which the devil not only assumed the appearance of + a holy man, in order to pay his addresses to a lady, but when discovered, + crept under the bed, suffered himself to be dragged out, and was impudent + enough to declare that he was the veritable bishop. So perfectly had he + assumed the form and features of the prelate that those who knew the + bishop best were deceived. + </p> + <p> + One can hardly imagine the frightful state of the human mind during these + long centuries of darkness and superstition. To them, these things were + awful and frightful realities. Hovering above them in the air, in their + houses, in the bosoms of friends, in their very bodies, in all the + darkness of night, everywhere, around, above and below, were innumerable + hosts of unclean and malignant devils. + </p> + <p> + From the malice of those leering and vindictive vampires of the air, the + church pretended to defend mankind. Pursued by these phantoms, the + frightened multitudes fell upon their faces and implored the aid of robed + hypocrisy and sceptered theft. + </p> + <p> + Take from the orthodox church of to-day the threat and fear of hell, and + it becomes an extinct volcano. + </p> + <p> + Take from the church the miraculous, the supernatural, the + incomprehensible, the unreasonable, the impossible, the unknowable, and + the absurd, and nothing but a vacuum remains. + </p> + <p> + Notwithstanding all the infamous things justly laid to the charge of the + church, we are told that the civilization of to-day is the child of what + we are pleased to call the superstition of the past. + </p> + <p> + Religion has not civilized man—man has civilized religion. God + improves as man advances. + </p> + <p> + Let me call your attention to what we have received from the followers of + the ghosts. Let me give you an outline of the sciences as taught by these + philosophers of the clouds. + </p> + <p> + All diseases were produced, either as a punishment by the good ghosts, or + out of pure malignity by the bad ones. There were, properly speaking, no + diseases. The sick were possessed by ghosts. The science of medicine + consisted in knowing how to persuade these ghosts to vacate the premises. + For thousands of years the diseased were treated with incantations, with + hideous noises, with drums and gongs. Everything was done to make the + visit of the ghost as unpleasant as possible, and they generally succeeded + in making things so disagreeable that if the ghost did not leave, the + patient did. These ghosts were supposed to be of different rank, power and + dignity. Now and then a man pretended to have won the favor of some + powerful ghost, and that gave him power over the little ones. Such a man + became an eminent physician. + </p> + <p> + It was found that certain kinds of smoke, such as that produced by burning + the liver of a fish, the dried skin of a serpent, the eyes of a toad, or + the tongue of an adder, were exceedingly offensive to the nostrils of an + ordinary ghost. With this smoke, the sick room would be filled until the + ghost vanished or the patient died. + </p> + <p> + It was also believed that certain words,—the names of the most + powerful ghosts,—when properly pronounced, were very effective + weapons. It was for a long time thought that Latin words were the best,—Latin + being a dead language, and known by the clergy. Others thought that two + sticks laid across each other and held before the wicked ghost would cause + it instantly to flee in dread away. + </p> + <p> + For thousands of years, the practice of medicine consisted in driving + these evil spirits out of the bodies of men. + </p> + <p> + In some instances, bargains and compromises were made with the ghosts. One + case is given where a multitude of devils traded a man for a herd of + swine. In this transaction the devils were the losers, as the swine + immediately drowned themselves in the sea. This idea of disease appears to + have been almost universal, and is by no means yet extinct. + </p> + <p> + The contortions of the epileptic, the strange twitchings of those + afflicted with chorea, the shakings of palsy, dreams, trances, and the + numberless frightful phenomena produced by diseases of the nerves, were + all seized upon as so many proofs that the bodies of men were filled with + unclean and malignant ghosts. + </p> + <p> + Whoever endeavored to account for these things by natural causes, whoever + attempted to cure diseases by natural means, was denounced by the church + as an infidel. To explain anything was a crime. It was to the interest of + the priest that all phenomena should be accounted for by the will and + power of gods and devils. The moment it is admitted that all phenomena are + within the domain of the natural, the necessity for a priest has + disappeared. Religion breathes the air of the supernatural. Take from the + mind of man the idea of the supernatural, and religion ceases to exist. + For this, reason, the church has always despised the man who explained the + wonderful. Upon this principle, nothing was left undone to stay the + science of medicine. As long as plagues and pestilences could be stopped + by prayer, the priest was useful. The moment the physician found a cure, + the priest became an extravagance. The moment it began to be apparent that + prayer could do nothing for the body, the priest shifted his ground and + began praying for the soul. + </p> + <p> + Long after the devil idea was substantially abandoned in the practice of + medicine, and when it was admitted that God had nothing to do with + ordinary coughs and colds, it was still believed that all the frightful + diseases were sent by him as punishments for the wickedness of the people. + It was thought to be a kind of blasphemy to even try, by any natural + means, to stay the ravages of pestilence. Formerly, during the prevalence + of plague and epidemics, the arrogance of the priest was boundless. He + told the people that they had slighted the clergy, that they had refused + to pay tithes, that they had doubted some of the doctrines of the church, + and that God was now taking his revenge. The people for the most part, + believed this infamous tissue of priestcraft. They hastened to fall upon + their knees; they poured out their wealth upon the altars of hypocrisy; + they abased and debased themselves; from their minds they banished all + doubts, and made haste to crawl in the very dust of humility. + </p> + <p> + The church never wanted disease to be under the control of man. Timothy + Dwight, president of Yale College, preached a sermon against vaccination. + His idea was, that if God had decreed from all eternity that a certain man + should die with the small-pox, it was a frightful sin to avoid and annul + that decree by the trick of vaccination. Small-pox being regarded as one + of the heaviest guns in the arsenal of heaven, to spike it was the height + of presumption. Plagues and pestilences were instrumentalities in the + hands of God with which to gain the love and worship of mankind. To find a + cure for disease was to take a weapon from the church. No one tries to + cure the ague with prayer. Quinine has been found altogether more + reliable. Just as soon as a specific is found for a disease, that disease + will be left out of the list of prayer. The number of diseases with which + God from time to time afflicts mankind, is continually decreasing. In a + few years all of them will be under the control of man, the gods will be + left unarmed, and the threats of their priests will excite only a smile. + </p> + <p> + The science of medicine has had but one enemy—religion. Man was + afraid to save his body for fear he might lose his soul. + </p> + <p> + Is it any wonder that the people in those days believed in and taught the + infamous doctrine of eternal punishment—a doctrine that makes God a + heartless monster and man a slimy hypocrite and slave? + </p> + <p> + The ghosts were historians, and their histories were the grossest + absurdities. "Tales told by idiots, full of sound and fury, signifying + nothing." In those days the histories were written by the monks, who, as a + rule, were almost as superstitious as they were dishonest. They wrote as + though they had been witnesses of every occurrence they related. They + wrote the history of every country of importance. They told all the past + and predicted all the future with an impudence that amounted to sublimity. + "They traced the order of St. Michael, in France, to the archangel + himself, and alleged that he was the founder of a chivalric order in + heaven itself. They said that Tartars originally came from hell, and that + they were called Tartars because Tartarus was one of the names of + perdition. They declared that Scotland was so named after Scota, a + daughter of Pharaoh, who landed in Ireland, invaded Scotland, and took it + by force of arms. This statement was made in a letter addressed to the + Pope in the fourteenth century, and was alluded to as a well-known fact. + The letter was written by some of the highest dignitaries, and by the + direction of the King himself." + </p> + <p> + These gentlemen accounted for the red on the breasts of robins, from the + fact that these birds carried water to unbaptized infants in hell. + </p> + <p> + Matthew, of Paris, an eminent historian of the fourteenth century, gave + the world the following piece of information: "It is well known that + Mohammed was once a cardinal, and became a heretic because he failed in + his effort to be elected pope;" and that having drank to excess, he fell + by the roadside, and in this condition was killed by swine. "And for that + reason, his followers abhor pork even unto this day." + </p> + <p> + Another eminent historian informs us that Nero was in the habit of + vomiting frogs. When I read this, I said to myself: Some of the croakers + of the present day against Progress would be the better for such a vomit. + </p> + <p> + The history of Charlemagne was written by Turpin, of Rheims. He was a + bishop. He assures us that the walls of a city fell down in answer to + prayer. That there were giants in those days who could take fifty ordinary + men under their arms and walk away with them. "With the greatest of these, + a direct descendant of Goliath, one Orlando had a theological discussion, + and that in the heat of the debate, when the giant was overwhelmed with + the argument, Orlando rushed forward and inflicted a fatal stab." + </p> + <p> + The history of Britain, written by the archdeacons of Monmouth and Oxford, + was wonderfully popular. According to them, Brutus conquered England and + built the city of London. During his time, it rained pure blood for three + days. At another time, a monster came from the sea, and, after having + devoured great multitudes of people, swallowed the king and disappeared. + They tell us that King Arthur was not born like other mortals, but was the + result of a magical contrivance; that he had great luck in killing giants; + that he killed one in France that had the cheerful habit of eating some + thirty men a day. That this giant had clothes woven of the beards of the + kings he had devoured. To cap the climax, one of the authors of this book + was promoted for having written the only reliable history of his country. + </p> + <p> + In all the histories of those days there is hardly a single truth. Facts + were considered unworthy of preservation. Anything that really happened + was not of sufficient interest or importance to be recorded. The great + religious historian, Eusebius, ingenuously remarks that in his history he + carefully omitted whatever tended to discredit the church, and that he + piously magnified all that conduced to her glory. + </p> + <p> + The same glorious principle was scrupulously adhered to by all the + historians of that time. + </p> + <p> + They wrote, and the people believed, that the tracks of Pharoah's chariots + were still visible on the sands of the Red Sea, and that they had been + miraculously preserved from the winds and waves as perpetual witnesses of + the great miracle there performed. + </p> + <p> + It is safe to say that every truth in the histories of those times is the + result of accident or mistake. + </p> + <p> + They accounted for everything as the work of good and evil spirits. With + cause and effect they had nothing to do. Facts were in no way related to + each other. God, governed by infinite caprice, filled the world with + miracles and disconnected events. From the quiver of his hatred came the + arrows of famine, pestilence, and death. + </p> + <p> + The moment that the idea is abandoned that all is natural; that all + phenomena are the necessary links in the endless chain of being, the + conception of history becomes impossible. With the ghosts, the present is + not the child of the past, nor the mother of the future. In the domain of + religion all is chance, accident, and caprice. + </p> + <p> + Do not forget, I pray you, that our creeds were written by the + cotemporaries of these historians. + </p> + <p> + The same idea was applied to law. It was believed by our intelligent + ancestors that all law derived its sacredness and its binding force from + the fact that it had been communicated to man by the ghosts. Of course it + was not pretended that the ghosts told everybody the law; but they told it + to a few, and the few told it to the people, and the people, as a rule, + paid them exceedingly well for their trouble. It was thousands of ages + before the people commenced making laws for themselves, and strange as it + may appear, most of these laws were vastly superior to the ghost article. + Through the web and woof of human legislation began to run and shine and + glitter the golden thread of justice. + </p> + <p> + During these years of darkness it was believed that rather than see an act + of injustice done; rather than see the innocent suffer; rather than see + the guilty triumph, some ghost would interfere. This belief, as a rule, + gave great satisfaction to the victorious party, and as the other man was + dead, no complaint was heard from him. + </p> + <p> + This doctrine was the sanctification of brute force and chance. They had + trials by battle, by fire, by water, and by lot. Persons were made to + grasp hot iron, and if it burned them their guilt was established. Others, + with tied hands and feet, were cast into the sea, and if they sank, the + verdict of guilty was unanimous,—if they did not sink, they were in + league with devils. + </p> + <p> + So in England, persons charged with crime could appeal to the corsned. The + corsned was a piece of the sacramental bread. If the defendant could + swallow this piece he went acquit. Godwin, Earl of Kent, in the time of + Edward the Confessor, appealed to the corsned. He failed to swallow it and + was choked to death. + </p> + <p> + The ghosts and their followers always took delight in torture, in cruel + and unusual punishments. For the infraction of most of their laws, death + was the penalty—death produced by stoning and by fire. Sometimes, + when man committed only murder, he was allowed to flee to some city of + refuge. Murder was a crime against man. But for saying certain words, or + denying certain doctrines, or for picking up sticks on certain days, or + for worshiping the wrong ghost, or for failing to pray to the right one, + or for laughing at a priest, or for saying that wine was not blood, or + that bread was not flesh, or for failing to regard ram's horns as + artillery, or for insisting that a dry bone was scarcely sufficient to + take the place of water works, or that a raven, as a rule, made a poor + landlord:—death, produced by all the ways that the ingenuity of + hatred could devise, was the penalty. + </p> + <p> + Law is a growth—it is a science. Right and wrong exist in the nature + of things. Things are not right because they are commanded, nor wrong + because they are prohibited. There are real crimes enough without creating + artificial ones. All progress in legislation has for centuries consisted + in repealing the laws of the ghosts. + </p> + <p> + The idea of right and wrong is born of man's capacity to enjoy and suffer. + If man could not suffer, if he could not inflict injury upon his fellow, + if he could neither feel nor inflict pain, the idea of right and wrong + never would have entered his brain. But for this, the word conscience + never would have passed the lips of man. + </p> + <p> + There is one good—happiness. There is but one sin—selfishness. + All law should be for the preservation of the one and the destruction of + the other. + </p> + <p> + Under the regime of the ghosts, laws were not supposed to exist in the + nature of things. They were supposed to be simply the irresponsible + command of a ghost. These commands were not supposed to rest upon reason, + they were the product of arbitrary will. + </p> + <p> + The penalties for the violation of these laws were as cruel as the laws + were senseless and absurd. Working on the Sabbath and murder were both + punished with death. The tendency of such laws is to blot from the human + heart the sense of justice. + </p> + <p> + To show you how perfectly every department of knowledge, or ignorance + rather, was saturated with superstition, I will for a moment refer to the + science of language. + </p> + <p> + It was thought by our fathers, that Hebrew was the original language; that + it was taught to Adam in the Garden of Eden by the Almighty, and that + consequently all languages came from, and could be traced to, the Hebrew. + Every fact inconsistent with that idea was discarded. According to the + ghosts, the trouble at the tower of Babel accounted for the fact that all + people did not speak Hebrew. The Babel business settled all questions in + the science of language. + </p> + <p> + After a time, so many facts were found to be inconsistent with the Hebrew + idea that it began to fall into disrepute, and other languages began to + compete for the honor of being the original. + </p> + <p> + Andre Kempe, in 1569, published a work on the language of Paradise, in + which he maintained that God spoke to Adam in Swedish; that Adam answered + in Danish; and that the serpent—which appears to me quite probable—spoke + to Eve in French. Erro, in a work published at Madrid, took the ground + that Basque was the language spoken in the Garden of Eden; but in 1580 + Goropius published his celebrated work at Antwerp, in which he put the + whole matter at rest by showing, beyond all doubt, that the language + spoken in Paradise was neither more nor less than plain Holland Dutch. + </p> + <p> + The real founder of the science of language was Liebnitz, a cotemporary of + Sir Isaac Newton. He discarded the idea that all languages could be traced + to one language. He maintained that language was a natural growth. + Experience teaches us that this must be so. Words are continually dying + and continually being born. Words are naturally and necessarily produced. + Words are the garments of thought, the robes of ideas. Some are as rude as + the skins of wild beasts, and others glisten and glitter like silk and + gold. They have been born of hatred and revenge; of love and + self-sacrifice; of hope and fear, of agony and joy. These words are born + of the terror and beauty of nature. The stars have fashioned them. In them + mingle the darkness and the dawn. From everything they have taken + something. Words are the crystalizations of human history, of all that man + has enjoyed and suffered—his victories and defeats—all that he + has lost and won. Words are the shadows of all that has been—the + mirrors of all that is. + </p> + <p> + The ghosts also enlightened our fathers in astronomy and geology. + According to them the earth was made out of nothing, and a little more + nothing having been taken than was used in the construction of this world, + the stars were made out of what was left over. Cosmas, in the sixth + century, taught that the stars were impelled by angels, who either carried + them on their shoulders, rolled them in front of them, or drew them after. + He also taught that each angel that pushed a star took great pains to + observe what the other angels were doing, so that the relative distances + between the stars might always remain the same. He also gave his idea as + to the form of the world. + </p> + <p> + He stated that the world was a vast parallelogram; that on the outside was + a strip of land, like the frame of a common slate; that then there was a + strip of water, and in the middle a great piece of land; that Adam and Eve + lived on the outer strip; that their descendants, with the exception of + the Noah family, were drowned by a flood on this outer strip; that the ark + finally rested on the middle piece of land where we now are. He accounted + for night and day by saying that on the outside strip of land there was a + high mountain, around which the sun and moon revolved, and that when the + sun was on the other side of the mountain, it was night; and when on this + side, it was day. + </p> + <p> + He also declared that the earth was flat. This he proved by many passages + from the Bible. Among other reasons for believing the earth to be flat, he + brought forward the following: We are told in the New Testament that + Christ shall come again in glory and power, and all the world shall see + him. Now, if the world is round, how are the people on the other side + going to see Christ when he comes? That settled the question, and the + church not only endorsed the book, but declared that whoever believed less + or more than stated by Cosmas, was a heretic. + </p> + <p> + In those blessed days, Ignorance was a king and Science an outcast. + </p> + <p> + They knew the moment this earth ceased to be the centre of the universe, + and became a mere speck in the starry heaven of existence, that their + religion would become a childish fable of the past. + </p> + <p> + In the name and by the authority of the ghosts, men enslaved their + fellow-men; they trampled upon the rights of women and children. In the + name and by the authority of ghosts, they bought and sold and destroyed + each other; they filled heaven with tyrants and earth with slaves, the + present with despair and the future with horror. In the name and by the + authority of the ghosts, they imprisoned the human mind, polluted the + conscience, hardened the heart, subverted justice, crowned robbery, + sainted hypocrisy, and extinguished for a thousand years the torch of + reason. + </p> + <p> + I have endeavored, in some faint degree, to show you what has happened, + and what always will happen when men are governed by superstition and + fear; when they desert the sublime standard of reason; when they take the + words of others and do not investigate for themselves. + </p> + <p> + Even the great men of those days were nearly as weak in this matter as the + most ignorant. Kepler, one of the greatest men of the world, an astronomer + second to none, although he plucked from the stars the secrets of the + universe, was an astrologer, and really believed that he could predict the + career of a man by finding what star was in the ascendant at his birth. + This great man breathed, so to speak, the atmosphere of his time. He + believed in the music of the spheres, and assigned alto, bass, tenor, and + treble to certain stars. + </p> + <p> + Tycho Brahe, another astronomer, kept an idiot, whose disconnected and + meaningless words he carefully set down, and then put them together in + such manner as to make prophecies, and then waited patiently to see them + fulfilled. Luther believed that he had actually seen the devil, and had + discussed points of theology with him. The human mind was in chains. Every + idea almost was a monster. Thought was deformed. Facts were looked upon as + worthless. Only the wonderful was worth preserving. Things that actually + happened were not considered worth recording;—real occurrences were + too common. Everybody expected the miraculous. + </p> + <p> + The ghosts were supposed to be busy; devils were thought to be the most + industrious things in the universe, and with these imps, every occurrence + of an unusual character was in some way connected. There was no order, no + serenity, no certainty in anything. Everything depended upon ghosts and + phantoms. Man was, for the most part, at the mercy of malevolent spirits. + He protected himself as best he could with holy water and tapers and + wafers and cathedrals. He made noises and rung bells to frighten the + ghosts, and he made music to charm them. He used smoke to choke them, and + incense to please them. He wore beads and crosses. He said prayers, and + hired others to say them. He fasted when he was hungry, and feasted when + he was not. He believed everything that seemed unreasonable, just to + appease the ghosts. He humbled himself. He crawled in the dust. He shut + the doors and windows, and excluded every ray of light from the temple of + the soul. He debauched and polluted his own mind, and toiled night and day + to repair the walls of his own prison. From the garden of his heart he + plucked and trampled upon the holy flowers of pity. + </p> + <p> + The priests reveled in horrible descriptions of hell. Concerning the wrath + of God, they grew eloquent. They denounced man as totally depraved. They + made reason blasphemy, and pity a crime. Nothing so delighted them as + painting the torments and sufferings of the lost. Over the worm that never + dies they grew poetic; and the second death filled them with a kind of + holy delight. According to them, the smoke and cries ascending from hell + were the perfume and music of heaven. + </p> + <p> + At the risk of being tiresome, I have said what I have to show you the + productions of the human mind, when enslaved; the effects of wide-spread + ignorance—the results of fear. I want to convince you that every + form of slavery is a viper, that, sooner or later, will strike its poison + fangs into the bosoms of men. + </p> + <p> + The first great step towards progress, is, for man to cease to be the + slave of man; the second, to cease to be the slave of the monsters of his + own creation—of the ghosts and phantoms of the air. + </p> + <p> + For ages the human race was imprisoned. + </p> + <p> + Through the bars and grates came a few struggling rays of light. Against + these grates and bars Science pressed its pale and thoughtful face, wooed + by the holy dawn of human advancement. + </p> + <p> + Men found that the real was the useful; that what a man knows is better + than what a ghost says; that an event is more valuable than a prophecy. + They found that diseases were not produced by spirits, and could not be + cured by frightening them away. They found that death was as natural as + life. They began to study the anatomy and chemistry of the human body, and + found that all was natural and within the domain of law. + </p> + <p> + The conjurer and sorcerer were discarded, and the physician and surgeon + employed. They found that the earth was not flat; that the stars were not + mere specks. They found that being born under a particular planet had + nothing to do with the fortunes of men. + </p> + <p> + The astrologer was discharged and the astronomer took his place. + </p> + <p> + They found that the earth had swept through the constellations for + millions of ages. They found that good and evil were produced by natural + causes, and not by ghosts; that man could not be good enough or bad enough + to stop or cause a rain; that diseases were produced as naturally as + grass, and were not sent as punishments upon man for failing to believe a + certain creed. They found that man, through intelligence, could take + advantage of the forces of nature—that he could make the waves, the + winds, the flames, and the lightnings of heaven do his bidding and + minister to his wants. They found that the ghosts knew nothing of benefit + to man; that they were utterly ignorant of geology—of astronomy—of + geography;—that they knew nothing of history;—that they were + poor doctors and worse surgeons;—that they knew nothing of law and + less of justice; that they were without brains, and utterly destitute of + hearts; that they knew nothing of the rights of men; that they were + despisers of women, the haters of progress, the enemies of science, and + the destroyers of liberty. + </p> + <p> + The condition of the world during the Dark Ages shows exactly the result + of enslaving the bodies and souls of men. In those days there was no + freedom. Labor was despised, and a laborer was considered but little above + a beast. Ignorance, like a vast cowl, covered the brain of the world, and + superstition ran riot with the imagination of man. The air was filled with + angels, with demons and monsters. Credulity sat upon the throne of the + soul, and Reason was an exiled king. A man to be distinguished must be a + soldier or a monk. War and theology, that is to say, murder and hypocrisy, + were the principal employments of man. Industry was a slave, theft was + commerce; murder was war, hypocrisy was religion. + </p> + <p> + Every Christian country maintained that it was no robbery to take the + property of Mohammedans by force, and no murder to kill the owners. Lord + Bacon was the first man of note who maintained that a Christian country + was bound to keep its plighted faith with an infidel nation. Reading and + writing were considered dangerous arts. Every layman who could read and + write was suspected of being a heretic. All thought was discouraged. They + forged chains of superstition for the minds, and manacles of iron for the + bodies of men. The earth was ruled by the cowl and sword,—by the + mitre and scepter,—by the altar and throne,—by Fear and Force,—by + Ignorance and Faith,—by ghouls and ghosts. + </p> + <p> + In the fifteenth century the following law was in force in England: + </p> + <p> + "That whosoever reads the Scriptures in the mother tongue, shall forfeit + land, cattle, life, and goods from their heirs forever, and so be + condemned for heretics to God, enemies to the crown, and most arrant + traitors to the land." + </p> + <p> + During the first year this law was in force thirty-nine were hanged for + its violation and their bodies burned. + </p> + <p> + In the sixteenth century men were burned because they failed to kneel to a + procession of monks. + </p> + <p> + The slightest word uttered against the superstition of the time was + punished with death. + </p> + <p> + Even the reformers, so-called, of those days, had no idea of intellectual + liberty—no idea even of toleration. Luther, Knox, Calvin, believed + in religious liberty only when they were in the minority. The moment they + were clothed with power they began to exterminate with fire and sword. + </p> + <p> + Castalio was the first minister who advocated the liberty of the soul. He + was regarded by the reformers as a criminal, and treated as though he had + committed the crime of crimes. + </p> + <p> + Bodinus, a lawyer of France, about the same time, wrote a few words in + favor of the freedom of conscience, but public opinion was overwhelmingly + against him. The people were ready, anxious, and willing, with whip, and + chain, and fire, to drive from the mind of man the heresy that he had a + right to think. + </p> + <p> + Montaigne, a man blest with so much common sense that he was the most + uncommon man of his time, was the first to raise a voice against torture + in France. But what was the voice of one man against the terrible cry of + ignorant, infatuated, superstitious and malevolent millions? It was the + cry of a drowning man in the wild roar of the cruel sea. + </p> + <p> + In spite of the efforts of the brave few the infamous war against the + freedom of the soul was waged until at least one hundred millions of human + beings—fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters—with hopes, loves, + and aspirations like ourselves, were sacrificed upon the cruel altar of an + ignorant faith. They perished in every way by which death can be produced. + Every nerve of pain was sought out and touched by the believers in ghosts. + </p> + <p> + For my part I glory in the fact, that here in the New World,—in the + United States,—liberty of conscience was first guaranteed to man, + and that the Constitution of the United States was the first great decree + entered in the high court of human equity forever divorcing church and + state,—the first injunction granted against the interference of the + ghosts. This was one of the grandest steps ever taken by the human race in + the direction of Progress. + </p> + <p> + You will ask what has caused this wonderful change in three hundred years. + And I answer—the inventions and discoveries of the few;—the + brave thoughts, the heroic utterances of the few;—the acquisition of + a few facts. + </p> + <p> + Besides, you must remember that every wrong in some way tends to abolish + itself. It is hard to make a lie stand always. A lie will not fit a fact. + It will only fit another lie made for the purpose. The life of a lie is + simply a question of time. Nothing but truth is immortal. The nobles and + kings quarreled;—the priests began to dispute;—the ideas of + government began to change. + </p> + <p> + In 1441 printing was discovered. At that time the past was a vast cemetery + with hardly an epitaph. The ideas of men had mostly perished in the brain + that produced them. The lips of the human race had been sealed. Printing + gave pinions to thought. It preserved ideas. It made it possible for man + to bequeath to the future the riches of his brain, the wealth of his soul. + At first, it was used to flood the world with the mistakes of the + ancients, but since that time it has been flooding the world with light. + </p> + <p> + When people read they begin to reason, and when they reason they progress. + This was another grand step in the direction of Progress. + </p> + <p> + The discovery of powder, that put the peasant almost upon a par with the + prince;—that put an end to the so-called age of chivalry;—that + released a vast number of men from the armies;—that gave pluck and + nerve a chance with brute strength. + </p> + <p> + The discovery of America, whose shores were trod by the restless feet of + adventure;—that brought people holding every shade of superstition + together;—that gave the world an opportunity to compare notes, and + to laugh at the follies of each other. Out of this strange mingling of all + creeds, and superstitions, and facts, and theories, and countless + opinions, came the Great Republic. + </p> + <p> + Every fact has pushed a superstition from the brain and a ghost from the + clouds. Every mechanic art is an educator. Every loom, every reaper and + mower, every steamboat, every locomotive, every engine, every press, every + telegraph, is a missionary of Science and an apostle of Progress. Every + mill, every furnace, every building with its wheels and levers, in which + something is made for the convenience, for the use, and for the comfort + and elevation of man, is a church, and every school-house is a temple. + </p> + <p> + Education is the most radical thing in the world. + </p> + <p> + To teach the alphabet is to inaugurate a revolution. + </p> + <p> + To build a schoolhouse is to construct a fort. + </p> + <p> + Every library is an arsenal filled with the weapons and ammunition of + Progress, and every fact is a monitor with sides of iron and a turret of + steel. + </p> + <p> + I thank the inventors, the discoverers, the thinkers. I thank Columbus and + Magellan. I thank Galileo, and Copernicus, and Kepler, and Descartes, and + Newton, and Laplace. I thank Locke, and Hume, and Bacon, and Shakespeare, + and Kant, and Fichte, and Leibnitz, and Goethe. I thank Fulton, and Watts, + and Volta, and Galvani, and Franklin, and Morse, who made lightning the + messenger of man. I thank Humboldt, the Shakespeare of science. I thank + Crompton and Arkwright, from whose brains leaped the looms and spindles + that clothe the world. I thank Luther for protesting against the abuses of + the church, and I denounce him because he was the enemy of liberty. I + thank Calvin for writing a book in favor of religious freedom, and I abhor + him because he burned Servetus. I thank Knox for resisting Episcopal + persecution, and I hate him because he persecuted in his turn. I thank the + Puritans for saying "Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God," and yet I + am compelled to say that they were tyrants themselves. I thank Thomas + Paine because he was a believer in liberty, and because he did as much to + make my country free as any other human being. I thank Voltaire, that + great man who, for half a century, was the intellectual emperor of Europe, + and who, from his throne at the foot of the Alps, pointed the finger of + scorn at every hypocrite in Christendom. I thank Darwin, Haeckel and Büchner, + Spencer, Tyndall and Huxley, Draper, Lecky and Buckle. + </p> + <p> + I thank the inventors, the discoverers, the thinkers, the scientists, the + explorers, I thank the honest millions who have toiled. + </p> + <p> + I thank the brave men with brave thoughts. They are the Atlases upon whose + broad and mighty shoulders rests the grand fabric of civilization. They + are the men who have broken, and are still breaking, the chains of + Superstition. They are the Titans who carried Olympus by assault, and who + will soon stand victors upon Sinai's crags. + </p> + <p> + We are beginning to learn that to exchange a mistake for the truth—a + superstition for a fact—to ascertain the real—is to progress. + </p> + <p> + Happiness is the only possible good, and all that tends to the happiness + of man is right, and is of value. All that tends to develop the bodies and + minds of men; all that gives us better houses, better clothes, better + food, better pictures, grander music, better heads, better hearts; all + that renders us more intellectual and more loving, nearer just; that makes + us better husbands and wives, better children, better citizens—all + these things combined produce what I call Progress. + </p> + <p> + Man advances only as he overcomes the obstructions of Nature, and this can + be done only by labor and by thought. Labor is the foundation of all. + Without labor, and without great labor, progress is impossible. The + progress of the world depends upon the men who walk in the fresh furrows + and through the rustling corn; upon those who sow and reap; upon those + whose faces are radiant with the glare of furnace fires; upon the delvers + in the mines, and the workers in shops; upon those who give to the winter + air the ringing music of the axe; upon those who battle with the + boisterous billows of the sea; upon the inventors and discoverers; upon + the brave thinkers. + </p> + <p> + From the surplus produced by labor, schools and universities are built and + fostered. From this surplus the painter is paid for the productions of the + pencil; the sculptor for chiseling shapeless rock into forms divinely + beautiful, and the poet for singing the hopes, the loves, the memories, + and the aspirations of the world. This surplus has given us the books in + which we converse with the dead and living kings of the human race. It has + given us all there is of beauty, of elegance, and of refined happiness. + </p> + <p> + I am aware that there is a vast difference of opinion as to what progress + really is; that many denounce the ideas of to-day as destructive of all + happiness—of all good, I know that there are many worshipers of the + past. They venerate the ancient because it is ancient. They see no beauty + in anything from which they do not blow the dust of ages with the breath + of praise. They say, no masters like the old; no religion, no governments + like the ancient; no orators, no poets, no statesmen like those who have + been dust for two thousand years. Others love the modern simply because it + is modern. + </p> + <p> + We should have gratitude enough to acknowledge the obligations we are + under to the great and heroic of antiquity, and independence enough not to + believe what they said simply because they said it. + </p> + <p> + With the idea that labor is the basis of progress goes the truth that + labor must be free. The laborer must be a free man. + </p> + <p> + The free man, working for wife and child, gets his head and hands in + partnership. + </p> + <p> + To do the greatest amount of work in the shortest space of time, is the + problem of free labor. + </p> + <p> + Slavery does the least work in the longest space of time. + </p> + <p> + Free labor will give us wealth. Free thought will give us truth. + </p> + <p> + Slowly but surely man is freeing his imagination of these sexless + phantoms, of these cruel ghosts. Slowly but surely he is rising above the + superstitions of the past. He is learning to rely upon himself. He is + beginning to find that labor is the only prayer that ought to be answered, + and that hoping, toiling, aspiring, suffering men and women are of more + importance than all the ghosts that ever wandered through the fenceless + fields of space. + </p> + <p> + The believers in ghosts claim still, that they are the only wise and + virtuous people upon the earth; claim still, that there is a difference + between them and unbelievers so vast, that they will be infinitely + rewarded, and the others infinitely punished. + </p> + <p> + I ask you to-night, do the theories and doctrines of the theologians + satisfy the heart or brain of the nineteenth century? + </p> + <p> + Have the churches the confidence of mankind? + </p> + <p> + Does the merchant give credit to a man because he belongs to a church? + </p> + <p> + Does the banker loan money to a man because he is a Methodist or Baptist? + </p> + <p> + Will a certificate of good standing in any church be taken as collateral + security for one dollar? + </p> + <p> + Will you take the word of a church member, or his note, or his oath, + simply because he is a church member? + </p> + <p> + Are the clergy, as a class, better, kinder and more generous to their + families—to their fellow-men—than doctors, lawyers, merchants + and farmers? + </p> + <p> + Does a belief in ghosts and unreasonable things necessarily make people + honest? + </p> + <p> + When a man loses confidence in Moses, must the people lose confidence in + him? + </p> + <p> + Does not the credit system in morals breed extravagance in sin? + </p> + <p> + Why send missionaries to other lands while every penitentiary in ours is + filled with criminals? + </p> + <p> + Is it philosophical to say that they who do right carry a cross? + </p> + <p> + Is it a source of joy to think that perdition is the destination of nearly + all of the children of men? + </p> + <p> + Is it worth while to quarrel about original sin—when there is so + much copy? + </p> + <p> + Does it pay to dispute about baptism, and the Trinity, and predestination, + and apostolic succession and the infallibility of churches, of popes and + of books? Does all this do any good? + </p> + <p> + Are the theologians welcomers of new truths? Are they noted for their + candor? Do they treat an opponent with common fairness? Are they + investigators? Do they pull forward, or do they hold back? + </p> + <p> + Is science indebted to the church for a solitary fact? + </p> + <p> + What church is an asylum for a persecuted truth? + </p> + <p> + What great reform has been inaugurated by the church? + </p> + <p> + Did the church abolish slavery? + </p> + <p> + Has the church raised its voice against war? + </p> + <p> + I used to think that there was in religion no real restraining force. Upon + this point my mind has changed. Religion will prevent man from committing + artificial crimes and offences. + </p> + <p> + A man committed murder. The evidence was so conclusive that he confessed + his guilt. + </p> + <p> + He was asked why he killed his fellow-man. + </p> + <p> + He replied: "For money." + </p> + <p> + "Did you get any?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes." + </p> + <p> + "How much?" + </p> + <p> + "Fifteen cents." + </p> + <p> + "What did you do with this money?" + </p> + <p> + "Spent it." + </p> + <p> + "What for?" + </p> + <p> + "Liquor." + </p> + <p> + "What else did you find upon the dead man?" "He had his dinner in a bucket—some + meat and bread." + </p> + <p> + "What did you do with that?" + </p> + <p> + "I ate the bread." + </p> + <p> + "What did you do with the meat?" + </p> + <p> + "I threw it away." + </p> + <p> + "Why?" + </p> + <p> + "It was Friday." + </p> + <p> + Just to the extent that man has freed himself from the dominion of ghosts + he has advanced. Just to the extent that he has freed himself from the + tyrants of his own creation he has progressed. Just to the extent that he + has investigated for himself he has lost confidence in superstition. + </p> + <p> + With knowledge obedience becomes intelligent acquiescence—it is no + longer degrading. Acquiescence in the understood—in the known—is + the act of a sovereign, not of a slave. It ennobles, it does not degrade. + </p> + <p> + Man has found that he must give liberty to others in order to have it + himself. He has found that a master is also a slave;—that a tyrant + is himself a serf. He has found that governments should be founded and + administered by man and for man; that the rights of all are equal; that + the powers that be are not ordained by God; that woman is at least the + equal of man; that men existed before books; that religion is one of the + phases of thought through which the world is passing; that all creeds were + made by man; that everything is natural; that a miracle is an + impossibility; that we know nothing of origin and destiny; that concerning + the unknown we are all equally ignorant; that the pew has the right to + contradict what the pulpit asserts; that man is responsible only to + himself and those he injures, and that all have a right to think. + </p> + <p> + True religion must be free. Without perfect liberty of the mind there can + be no true religion. Without liberty the brain is a dungeon—the mind + a convict. The slave may bow and cringe and crawl, but he cannot adore—he + cannot love. + </p> + <p> + True religion is the perfume of a free and grateful heart. True religion + is a subordination of the passions to the perceptions of the intellect. + True religion is not a theory—it is a practice. It is not a creed—it + is a life. + </p> + <p> + A theory that is afraid of investigation is undeserving a place in the + human mind. + </p> + <p> + I do not pretend to tell what all the truth is. I do not pretend to have + fathomed the abyss, nor to have floated on outstretched wings level with + the dim heights of thought. I simply plead for freedom. I denounce the + cruelties and horrors of slavery. I ask for light and air for the souls of + men. I say, take off those chains—break those manacles—free + those limbs—release that brain! I plead for the right to think—to + reason—to investigate. I ask that the future may be enriched with + the honest thoughts of men. I implore every human being to be a soldier in + the army of progress. + </p> + <p> + I will not invade the rights of others. You have no right to erect your + toll-gate upon the highways of thought. You have no right to leap from the + hedges of superstition and strike down the pioneers of the human race. You + have no right to sacrifice the liberties of man upon the altars of ghosts. + Believe what you may; preach what you desire; have all the forms and + ceremonies you please; exercise your liberty in your own way but extend to + all others the same right. + </p> + <p> + I will not attack your doctrines nor your creeds if they accord liberty to + me. If they hold thought to be dangerous—if they aver that doubt is + a crime, then I attack them one and all, because they enslave the minds of + men. + </p> + <p> + I attack the monsters, the phantoms of imagination that have ruled the + world. I attack slavery. I ask for room—room for the human mind. + </p> + <p> + Why should we sacrifice a real world that we have, for one we know not of? + Why should we enslave ourselves? Why should we forge fetters for our own + hands? Why should we be the slaves of phantoms. The darkness of barbarism + was the womb of these shadows. In the light of science they cannot cloud + the sky forever. They have reddened the hands of man with innocent blood. + They made the cradle a curse, and the grave a place of torment. + </p> + <p> + They blinded the eyes and stopped the ears of the human race. They + subverted all ideas of justice by promising infinite rewards for finite + virtues, and threatening infinite punishment for finite offences. + </p> + <p> + They filled the future with heavens and with hells, with the shining peaks + of selfish joy and the lurid abysses of flame. For ages they kept the + world in ignorance and awe, in want and misery, in fear and chains. + </p> + <p> + I plead for light, for air, for opportunity. I plead for individual + independence. I plead for the rights of labor and of thought. I plead for + a chainless future. Let the ghosts go—justice remains. Let them + disappear—men and women and children are left. Let the monsters fade + away—the world is here with its hills and seas and plains, with its + seasons of smiles and frowns, its spring of leaf and bud, its summer of + shade and flower and murmuring stream; its autumn with the laden boughs, + when the withered banners of the corn are still, and gathered fields are + growing strangely wan; while death, poetic death, with hands that color + what they touch, weaves in the Autumn wood her tapestries of gold and + brown. + </p> + <p> + The world remains with its winters and homes and firesides, where grow and + bloom the virtues of our race. All these are left; and music, with its sad + and thrilling voice, and all there is of art and song and hope and love + and aspiration high. All these remain. Let the ghosts go—we will + worship them no more. + </p> + <p> + Man is greater than these phantoms. Humanity is grander than all the + creeds, than all the books. Humanity is the great sea, and these creeds, + and books, and religions, are but the waves of a day. Humanity is the sky, + and these religions and dogmas and theories are but the mists and clouds + changing continually, destined finally to melt away. + </p> + <p> + That which is founded upon slavery, and fear, and ignorance, cannot + endure. In the religion of the future there will be men and women and + children, all the aspirations of the soul, and all the tender humanities + of the heart. + </p> + <p> + Let the ghosts go. We will worship them no more. Let them cover their + eyeless sockets with their fleshless hands and fade forever from the + imaginations of men. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0009" id="link0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE LIBERTY OF MAN, WOMAN, AND CHILD. + </h2> + <h3> + Liberty sustains the same Relation to Mind that Space does to Matter. + </h3> + <p> + THERE is no slavery but ignorance. Liberty is the child of intelligence. + </p> + <p> + The history of man is simply the history of slavery, of injustice and + brutality, together with the means by which he has, through the dead and + desolate years, slowly and painfully advanced. He has been the sport and + prey of priest and king, the food of superstition and cruel might. Crowned + force has governed ignorance through fear. Hypocrisy and tyranny—two + vultures—have fed upon the liberties of man. From all these there + has been, and is, but one means of escape—intellectual development. + Upon the back of industry has been the whip. Upon the brain have been the + fetters of superstition. Nothing has been left undone by the enemies of + freedom. Every art and artifice, every cruelty and outrage has been + practiced and perpetrated to destroy the rights of man. In this great + struggle every crime has been rewarded and every virtue has been punished. + Reading, writing, thinking and investigating have all been crimes. + </p> + <p> + Every science has been an outcast. + </p> + <p> + All the altars and all the thrones united to arrest the forward march of + the human race. The king said that mankind must not work for themselves. + The priest said that mankind must not think for themselves. One forged + chains for the hands, the other for the soul. Under this infamous <i>regime</i> + the eagle of the human intellect was for ages a slimy serpent of + hypocrisy. + </p> + <p> + The human race was imprisoned. Through some of the prison bars came a few + struggling rays of light. Against these bars Science pressed its pale and + thoughtful face, wooed by the holy dawn of human advancement. Bar after + bar was broken away. A few grand men escaped and devoted their lives to + the liberation of their fellows. + </p> + <p> + Only a few years ago there was a great awakening of the human mind. Men + began to inquire by what right a crowned robber made them work for him? + The man who asked this question was called a traitor. Others asked by what + right does a robed hypocrite rule my thought? Such men were called + infidels. The priest said, and the king said, where is this spirit of + investigation to stop? They said then and they say now, that it is + dangerous for man to be free. I deny it. Out on the intellectual sea there + is room enough for every sail. In the intellectual air there is space + enough for every wing. + </p> + <p> + The man who does not do his own thinking is a slave, and is a traitor to + himself and to his fellow-men. + </p> + <p> + Every man should stand under the blue and stars, under the infinite flag + of nature, the peer of every other man. + </p> + <p> + Standing in the presence of the Unknown, all have the same right to think, + and all are equally interested in the great questions of origin and + destiny. All I claim, all I plead for, is liberty of thought and + expression. That is all. I do not pretend to tell what is absolutely true, + but what I think is true. I do not pretend to tell all the truth. + </p> + <p> + I do not claim that I have floated level with the heights of thought, or + that I have descended to the very depths of things. I simply claim that + what ideas I have, I have a right to express; and that any man who denies + that right to me is an intellectual thief and robber. That is all. + </p> + <p> + Take those chains from the human soul. Break those fetters. If I have no + right to think, why have I a brain? If I have no such right, have three or + four men, or any number, who may get together, and sign a creed, and build + a house, and put a steeple upon it, and a bell in it—have they the + right to think? The good men, the good women are tired of the whip and + lash in the realm of thought. They remember the chain and fagot with a + shudder. They are free, and they give liberty to others. Whoever claims + any right that he is unwilling to accord to his fellow-men is dishonest + and infamous. + </p> + <p> + In the good old times, our fathers had the idea that they could make + people believe to suit them. Our ancestors, in the ages that are gone, + really believed that by force you could convince a man. You cannot change + the conclusion of the brain by torture; nor by social ostracism. But I + will tell you what you can do by these, and what you have done. You can + make hypocrites by the million. You can make a man say that he has changed + his mind; but he remains of the same opinion still. Put fetters all over + him; crush his feet in iron boots; stretch him to the last gasp upon the + holy rack; burn him, if you please, but his ashes will be of the same + opinion still. + </p> + <p> + Our fathers in the good old times—and the best thing I can say about + them is, that they have passed away—had an idea that they could + force men to think their way. That idea is still prevalent in many parts, + even of this country. Even in our day some extremely religious people say, + "We will not trade with that man; we will not vote for him; we will not + hire him if he is a lawyer; we will die before we will take his medicine + if he is a doctor; we will not invite him to dinner; we will socially + ostracise him; he must come to our church; he must believe our doctrines; + he must worship our god or we will not in any way contribute to his + support." + </p> + <p> + In the old times of which I have spoken, they desired to make all men + think exactly alike. All the mechanical ingenuity of the world cannot make + two clocks run exactly alike, and how are you going to make hundreds of + millions of people, differing in brain and disposition, in education and + aspiration, in conditions and surroundings, each clad in a living robe of + passionate flesh—how are you going to make them think and feel + alike? If there is an infinite god, one who made us, and wishes us to + think alike, why did he give a spoonful of brains to one, and a + magnificent intellectual development to another? Why is it that we have + all degrees of intelligence, from orthodoxy to genius, if it was intended + that all should think and feel alike? + </p> + <p> + I used to read in books how our fathers persecuted mankind. But I never + appreciated it. I read it, but it did not burn itself into my soul. I did + not really appreciate the infamies that have been committed in the name of + religion, until I saw the iron arguments that Christians used. I saw the + Thumbscrew—two little pieces of iron, armed on the inner surfaces + with protuberances, to prevent their slipping; through each end a screw + uniting the two pieces. And when some man denied the efficacy of baptism, + or may be said, "I do not believe that a fish ever swallowed a man to keep + him from drowning," then they put his thumb between these pieces of iron + and in the name of love and universal forgiveness, began to screw these + pieces together. When this was done most men said, "I will recant." + Probably I should have done the same. Probably I would have said: "Stop; I + will admit anything that you wish; I will admit that there is one god or a + million, one hell or a billion; suit yourselves; but stop." + </p> + <p> + But there was now and then a man who would not swerve the breadth of a + hair. There was now and then some sublime heart, willing to die for an + intellectual conviction. Had it not been for such men, we would be savages + to-night. Had it not been for a few brave, heroic souls in every age, we + would have been cannibals, with pictures of wild beasts tattooed upon our + flesh, dancing around some dried snake fetich. + </p> + <p> + Let us thank every good and noble man who stood so grandly, so proudly, in + spite of opposition, of hatred and death, for what he believed to be the + truth. + </p> + <p> + Heroism did not excite the respect of our fathers. The man who would not + recant was not forgiven. They screwed the thumbscrews down to the last + pang, and then threw their victim into some dungeon, where, in the + throbbing silence and darkness, he might suffer the agonies of the fabled + damned. This was done in the name of love—in the name of mercy—in + the name of the compassionate Christ. + </p> + <p> + I saw, too, what they called the Collar of Torture. Imagine a circle of + iron, and on the inside a hundred points almost as sharp as needles. This + argument was fastened about the throat of the sufferer. Then he could not + walk, nor sit down, nor stir without the neck being punctured, by these + points. In a little while the throat would begin to swell, and suffocation + would end the agonies of that man. This man, it may be, had committed the + crime of saying, with tears upon his cheeks, "I do not believe that God, + the father of us all, will damn to eternal perdition any of the children + of men." + </p> + <p> + I saw another instrument, called the Scavenger's Daughter. Think of a pair + of shears with handles, not only where they now are, but at the points as + well, and just above the pivot that unites the blades, a circle of iron. + In the upper handles the hands would be placed; in the lower, the feet; + and through the iron ring, at the centre, the head of the victim would be + forced. In this condition, he would be thrown prone upon the earth, and + the strain upon the muscles produced such agony that insanity would in + pity end his pain. + </p> + <p> + This was done by gentlemen who said: "Whosoever smiteth thee upon one + cheek turn to him the other also." + </p> + <p> + I saw the Rack. This was a box like the bed of a wagon, with a windlass at + each end, with levers, and ratchets to prevent slipping; over each + windlass went chains; some were fastened to the ankles of the sufferer; + others to his wrists. And then priests, clergymen, divines, saints, began + turning these windlasses, and kept turning, until the ankles, the knees, + the hips, the shoulders, the elbows, the wrists of the victim were all + dislocated, and the sufferer was wet with the sweat of agony. And they had + standing by a physician to feel his pulse. What for? To save his life? + Yes. In mercy? No; simply that they might rack him once again. + </p> + <p> + This was done, remember, in the name of civilization; in the name of law + and order; in the name of mercy; in the name of religion; in the name of + the most merciful Christ. + </p> + <p> + Sometimes, when I read and think about these frightful things, it seems to + me that I have suffered all these horrors myself. It seems sometimes, as + though I had stood upon the shore of exile and gazed with tearful eyes + toward home and native land; as though my nails had been torn from my + hands, and into the bleeding quick needles had been thrust; as though my + feet had been crushed in iron boots; as though I had been chained in the + cell of the Inquisition and listened with dying ears for the coming + footsteps of release; as though I had stood upon the scaffold and had seen + the glittering axe fall upon me; as though I had been upon the rack and + had seen, bending above me, the white faces of hypocrite priests; as + though I had been taken from my fireside, from my wife and children, taken + to the public square, chained; as though fagots had been piled about me; + as though the flames had climbed around my limbs and scorched my eyes to + blindness, and as though my ashes had been scattered to the four winds, by + all the countless hands of hate. And when I so feel, I swear that while I + live I will do what little I can to preserve and to augment the liberties + of man, woman, and child. + </p> + <p> + It is a question of justice, of mercy, of honesty, of intellectual + development. If there is a man in the world who is not willing to give to + every human being every right he claims for himself, he is just so much + nearer a barbarian than I am. It is a question of honesty. The man who is + not willing to give to every other the same intellectual rights he claims + for himself, is dishonest, selfish, and brutal. + </p> + <p> + It is a question of intellectual development. Whoever holds another man + responsible for his honest thought, has a deformed and distorted brain. It + is a question of intellectual development. + </p> + <p> + A little while ago I saw models of nearly everything that man has made. I + saw models of all the water craft, from the rude dug-out in which floated + a naked savage—one of our ancestors—a naked savage, with teeth + two inches in length, with a spoonful of brains in the back of his head—I + saw models of all the water craft of the world, from that dug-out up to a + man-of-war, that carries a hundred guns and miles of canvas—from + that dug-out to the steamship that turns its brave prow from the port of + New York, with a compass like a conscience, crossing three thousand miles + of billows without missing a throb or beat of its mighty iron heart. + </p> + <p> + I saw at the same time the weapons that man has made, from a club, such as + was grasped by that same savage, when he crawled from his den in the + ground and hunted a snake for his dinner; from that club to the boomerang, + to the sword, to the cross-bow, to the blunderbuss, to the flint-lock, to + the cap-lock, to the needle-gun, up to a cannon cast by Krupp, capable of + hurling a ball weighing two thousand pounds through eighteen inches of + solid steel. + </p> + <p> + I saw, too, the armor from the shell of a turtle, that one of our brave + ancestors lashed upon his breast when he went to fight for his country; + the skin of a porcupine, dried with the quills on, which this same savage + pulled over his orthodox head, up to the shirts of mail, that were worn in + the Middle Ages, that laughed at the edge of the sword and defied the + point of the spear; up to a monitor clad in complete steel. + </p> + <p> + I saw at the same time, their musical instruments, from the tom-tom—that + is, a hoop with a couple of strings of raw hide drawn across it—from + that tom-tom, up to the instruments we have to-day, that make the common + air blossom with melody. + </p> + <p> + I saw, too, their paintings, from a daub of yellow mud, to the great works + which now adorn the galleries of the world. I saw also their sculpture, + from the rude god with four legs, a half dozen arms, several noses, and + two or three rows of ears, and one little, contemptible, brainless head, + up to the figures of to-day—to the marbles that genius has clad in + such a personality that it seems almost impudent to touch them without an + introduction. + </p> + <p> + I saw their books—books written upon skins of wild beasts—upon + shoulder-blades of sheep—books written upon leaves, upon bark, up to + the splendid volumes that enrich the libraries of our day. When I speak of + libraries, I think of the remark of Plato: "A house that has a library in + it has a soul." + </p> + <p> + I saw their implements of agriculture, from a crooked stick that was + attached to the horn of an ox by some twisted straw, to the agricultural + implements of this generation, that make it possible for a man to + cultivate the soil without being an ignoramus. + </p> + <p> + While looking upon these things I was forced to say that man advanced only + as he mingled his thought with his labor,—only as he got into + partnership with the forces of nature,—only as he learned to take + advantage of his surroundings—only as he freed himself from the + bondage of fear,—only as he depended upon himself—only as he + lost confidence in the gods. + </p> + <p> + I saw at the same time a row of human skulls, from the lowest skull that + has been found, the Neanderthal skull—skulls from Central Africa, + skulls from the Bushmen of Australia—skulls from the farthest isles + of the Pacific sea—up to the best skulls of the last generation;—and + I noticed that there was the same difference between those skulls that + there was between the products of those skulls, and I said to myself, + "After all, it is a simple question of intellectual development." There + was the same difference between those skulls, the lowest and highest + skulls, that there was between the dug-out and the man-of-war and the + steamship, between the club and the Krupp gun, between the yellow daub and + the landscape, between the tom-tom and an opera by Verdi. + </p> + <p> + The first and lowest skull in this row was the den in which crawled the + base and meaner instincts of mankind, and the last was a temple in which + dwelt joy, liberty, and love. + </p> + <p> + It is all a question of brain, of intellectual development. + </p> + <p> + If we are nearer free than were our fathers, it is because we have better + heads upon the average, and more brains in them. + </p> + <p> + Now, I ask you to be honest with me. It makes no difference to you what I + believe, nor what I wish to prove. I simply ask you to be honest. Divest + your minds, for a moment at least, of all religious prejudice. Act, for a + few moments, as though you were men and women. + </p> + <p> + Suppose the king, if there was one, and the priest, if there was one, at + the time this gentleman floated in the dug-out, and charmed his ears with + the music of the tom-tom, had said: "That dug-out is the best boat that + ever can be built by man; the pattern of that came from on high, from the + great god of storm and flood, and any man who says that he can improve it + by putting a mast in it, with a sail upon it, is an infidel, and shall be + burned at the stake;" what, in your judgment—honor bright—would + have been the effect upon the circumnavigation of the globe? + </p> + <p> + Suppose the king, if there was one, and the priest, if there was one—and + I presume there was a priest, because it was a very ignorant age—suppose + this king and priest had said: "That tom-tom is the most beautiful + instrument of music of which any man can conceive; that is the kind of + music they have in heaven; an angel sitting upon the edge of a fleecy + cloud, golden in the setting sun, playing upon that tom-tom, became so + enraptured, so entranced with her own music, that in a kind of ecstasy she + dropped it—that is how we obtained it; and any man who says that it + can be improved by putting a back and front to it, and four strings, and a + bridge, and getting a bow of hair with rosin, is a blaspheming wretch, and + shall die the death,"—I ask you, what effect would that have had + upon music? If that course had been pursued, would the human ears, in your + judgment, ever have been enriched with the divine symphonies of Beethoven? + </p> + <p> + Suppose the king, if there was one, and the priest, had said: "That + crooked stick is the best plow that can be invented: the pattern of that + plow was given to a pious farmer in a holy dream, and that twisted straw + is the <i>ne plus ultra</i> of all twisted things, and any man who says he + can make an improvement upon that plow, is an atheist;" what, in your + judgment, would have been the effect upon the science of agriculture? + </p> + <p> + But the people said, and the king and priest said: "We want better weapons + with which to kill our fellow-Christians; we want better plows, better + music, better paintings, and whoever will give us better weapons, and + better music, better houses to live in, better clothes, we will robe him + in wealth, and crown him with honor." Every incentive was held out to + every human being to improve these things. That is the reason the club has + been changed to a cannon, the dug-out to a steamship, the daub to a + painting; that is the reason that the piece of rough and broken stone + finally became a glorified statue. + </p> + <p> + You must not, however, forget that the gentleman in the dug-out, the + gentleman who was enraptured with the music of the tom-tom, and cultivated + his land with a crooked stick, had a religion of his own. That gentlemen + in the dug-out was orthodox. He was never troubled with doubts. He lived + and died settled in his mind. He believed in hell; and he thought he would + be far happier in heaven, if he could just lean over and see certain + people who expressed doubts as to the truth of his creed, gently but + everlastingly broiled and burned. + </p> + <p> + It is a very sad and unhappy fact that this man has had a great many + intellectual descendants. It is also an unhappy fact in nature, that the + ignorant multiply much faster than the intellectual. This fellow in the + dug-out believed in a personal devil. His devil had a cloven hoof, a long + tail, armed with a fiery dart; and his devil breathed brimstone. This + devil was at least the equal of God; not quite so stout but a little + shrewder. And do you know there has not been a patentable improvement made + upon that devil for six thousand years. + </p> + <p> + This gentleman in the dug-out believed that God was a tyrant; that he + would eternally damn the man who lived in accordance with his highest and + grandest ideal. He believed that the earth was flat. He believed in a + literal, burning, seething hell of fire and sulphur. He had also his idea + of politics; and his doctrine was, might makes right. And it will take + thousands of years before the world will reverse this doctrine, and + believingly say, "Right makes might." + </p> + <p> + All I ask is the same privilege to improve upon that gentleman's theology + as upon his musical instrument; the same right to improve upon his + politics as upon his dug-out. That is all. I ask for the human soul the + same liberty in every direction. That is the only crime I have committed. + I say, let us think. Let each one express his thought. Let us become + investigators, not followers, not cringers and crawlers. If there is in + heaven an infinite being, he never will be satisfied with the worship of + cowards and hypocrites. Honest unbelief, honest infidelity, honest + atheism, will be a perfume in heaven when pious hypocrisy, no matter how + religious it may be outwardly, will be a stench. + </p> + <p> + This is my doctrine: Give every other human being every right you claim + for yourself. Keep your mind open to the influences of nature. Receive new + thoughts with hospitality. Let us advance. + </p> + <p> + The religionist of to-day wants the ship of his soul to lie at the wharf + of orthodoxy and rot in the sun. He delights to hear the sails of old + opinions flap against the masts of old creeds. He loves to see the joints + and the sides open and gape in the sun, and it is a kind of bliss for him + to repeat again and again: "Do not disturb my opinions. Do not unsettle my + mind; I have it all made up, and I want no infidelity. Let me go backward + rather than forward." + </p> + <p> + As far as I am concerned I wish to be out on the high seas. I wish to take + my chances with wind, and wave, and star. And I had rather go down in the + glory and grandeur of the storm, than to rot in any orthodox harbor + whatever. + </p> + <p> + After all, we are improving from age to age. The most orthodox people in + this country two hundred years ago would have been burned for the crime of + heresy. The ministers who denounce me for expressing my thought would have + been in the Inquisition themselves. Where once burned and blazed the + bivouac fires of the army of progress, now glow the altars of the church. + The religionists of our time are occupying about the same ground occupied + by heretics and infidels of one hundred years ago. The church has advanced + in spite, as it were, of itself. It has followed the army of progress + protesting and denouncing, and had to keep within protesting and + denouncing distance. If the church had not made great progress I could not + express my thoughts. + </p> + <p> + Man, however, has advanced just exactly in the proportion with which he + has mingled his thought with his labor. The sailor, without control of the + wind and wave, knowing nothing or very little of the mysterious currents + and pulses of the sea, is superstitious. So also is the agriculturist, + whose prosperity depends upon something he cannot control. But the + mechanic, when a wheel refuses to turn, never thinks of dropping on his + knees and asking the assistance of some divine power. He knows there is a + reason. He knows that something is too large or too small; that there is + something wrong with his machine; and he goes to work and he makes it + larger or smaller, here or there, until the wheel will turn. Now, just in + proportion as man gets away from being, as it were, the slave of his + surroundings, the serf of the elements,—of the heat, the frost, the + snow, and the lightning,—just to the extent that he has gotten + control of his own destiny, just to the extent that he has triumphed over + the obstacles of nature, he has advanced physically and intellectually. As + man develops, he places a greater value upon his own rights. Liberty + becomes a grander and diviner thing. As he values his own rights, he + begins to value the rights of others. And when all men give to all others + all the rights they claim for themselves, this world will be civilized. + </p> + <p> + A few years ago the people were afraid to question the king, afraid to + question the priest, afraid to investigate a creed, afraid to deny a book, + afraid to denounce a dogma, afraid to reason, afraid to think. Before + wealth they bowed to the very earth, and in the presence of titles they + became abject. All this is slowly but surely changing. We no longer bow to + men simply because they are rich. Our fathers worshiped the golden calf. + The worst you can say of an American now is, he worships the gold of the + calf. Even the calf is beginning to see this distinction. + </p> + <p> + It no longer satisfies the ambition of a great man to be king or emperor. + The last Napoleon was not satisfied with being the emperor of the French. + He was not satisfied with having a circlet of gold about his head. He + wanted some evidence that he had something of value within his head. So he + wrote the life of Julius Cæsar, that he might become a member of the + French Academy. The emperors, the kings, the popes, no longer tower above + their fellows. Compare King William with the philosopher Haeckel. The king + is one of the anointed by the most high, as they claim—one upon + whose head has been poured the divine petroleum of authority. Compare this + king with Haeckel, who towers an intellectual colossus above the crowned + mediocrity. Compare George Eliot with Queen Victoria. The Queen is clothed + in garments given her by blind fortune and unreasoning chance, while + George Eliot wears robes of glory woven in the loom of her own genius. + </p> + <p> + The world is beginning to pay homage to intellect, to genius, to heart. + </p> + <p> + We have advanced. We have reaped the benefit of every sublime and heroic + self-sacrifice, of every divine and brave act; and we should endeavor to + hand the torch to the next generation, having added a little to the + intensity and glory of the flame. + </p> + <p> + When I think of how much this world has suffered; when I think of how long + our fathers were slaves, of how they cringed and crawled at the foot of + the throne, and in the dust of the altar, of how they abased themselves, + of how abjectly they stood in the presence of superstition robed and + crowned, I am amazed. + </p> + <p> + This world has not been fit for a man to live in fifty years. It was not + until the year 1808 that Great Britain abolished the slave trade. Up to + that time her judges, sitting upon the bench in the name of justice, her + priests, occupying her pulpits, in the name of universal love, owned stock + in the slave ships, and luxuriated upon the profits of piracy and murder. + It was not until the same year that the United States of America abolished + the slave trade between this and other countries, but carefully preserved + it as between the States. It was not until the 28th day of August, 1833, + that Great Britain abolished human slavery in her colonies; and it was not + until the 1st day of January, 1863, that Abraham Lincoln, sustained by the + sublime and heroic North, rendered our flag pure as the sky in which it + floats. + </p> + <p> + Abraham Lincoln was, in my judgment, in many respects, the grandest man + ever President of the United States. Upon his monument these words should + be written: "Here sleeps the only man in the history of the world, who, + having been clothed with almost absolute power, never abused it, except + upon the side of mercy." + </p> + <p> + Think how long we clung to the institution of human slavery, how long + lashes upon the naked back were a legal tender for labor performed. Think + of it. The pulpit of this country deliberately and willingly, for a + hundred years, turned the cross of Christ into a whipping post. + </p> + <p> + With every drop of my blood I hate and execrate every form of tyranny, + every form of slavery. I hate dictation. I love liberty. + </p> + <p> + What do I mean by liberty? By physical liberty I mean the right to do + anything which does not interfere with the happiness of another. By + intellectual liberty I mean the right to think right and the right to + think wrong. Thought is the means by which we endeavor to arrive at truth. + If we know the truth already, we need not think. All that can be required + is honesty of purpose. You ask my opinion about anything; I examine it + honestly, and when my mind is made up, what should I tell you? Should I + tell you my real thought? What should I do? There is a book put in my + hands. I am told this is the Koran; it was written by inspiration. I read + it, and when I get through, suppose that I think in my heart and in my + brain, that it is utterly untrue, and you then ask me, what do you think? + Now, admitting that I live in Turkey, and have no chance to get any office + unless I am on the side of the Koran, what should I say? Should I make a + clean breast and say, that upon my honor I do not believe it? What would + you think then of my fellow-citizens if they said: "That man is dangerous, + he is dishonest." + </p> + <p> + Suppose I read the book called the Bible, and when I get through I make up + my mind that it was written by men. A minister asks me, "Did you read the + Bible?" I answer, that I did. "Do you think it divinely inspired?" What + should I reply? Should I say to myself, "If I deny the inspiration of the + Scriptures, the people will never clothe me with power." What ought I to + answer? Ought I not to say like a man: "I have read it; I do not believe + it." Should I not give the real transcript of my mind? Or should I turn + hypocrite and pretend what I do not feel, and hate myself forever after + for being a cringing coward. For my part I would rather a man would tell + me what he honestly thinks. I would rather he would preserve his manhood. + I had a thousand times rather be a manly unbeliever than an unmanly + believer. And if there is a judgment day, a time when all will stand + before some supreme being, I believe I will stand higher, and stand a + better chance of getting my case decided in my favor, than any man + sneaking through life pretending to believe what he does not. + </p> + <p> + I have made up my mind to say my say. I shall do it kindly, distinctly; + but I am going to do it. I know there are thousands of men who + substantially agree with me, but who are not in a condition to express + their thoughts. They are poor; they are in business; and they know that + should they tell their honest thought, persons will refuse to patronize + them—to trade with them; they wish to get bread for their little + children; they wish to take care of their wives; they wish to have homes + and the comforts of life. Every such person is a certificate of the + meanness of the community in which he resides. And yet I do not blame + these people for not expressing their thought. I say to them: "Keep your + ideas to yourselves; feed and clothe the ones you love; I will do your + talking for you. The church can not touch, can not crush, can not starve, + cannot stop or stay me; I will express your thoughts." + </p> + <p> + As an excuse for tyranny, as a justification of slavery, the church has + taught that man is totally depraved. Of the truth of that doctrine, the + church has furnished the only evidence there is. The truth is, we are both + good and bad. The worst are capable of some good deeds, and the best are + capable of bad. The lowest can rise, and the highest may fall. That + mankind can be divided into two great classes, sinners and saints, is an + utter falsehood. In times of great disaster, called it may be, by the + despairing voices of women, men, denounced by the church as totally + depraved, rush to death as to a festival. By such men, deeds are done so + filled with self-sacrifice and generous daring, that millions pay to them + the tribute, not only of admiration, but of tears. Above all creeds, above + all religions, after all, is that divine thing,—Humanity; and now + and then in shipwreck on the wide, wild sea, or 'mid the rocks and + breakers of some cruel shore, or where the serpents of flame writhe and + hiss, some glorious heart, some chivalric soul does a deed that glitters + like a star, and gives the lie to all the dogmas of superstition. All + these frightful doctrines have been used to degrade and to enslave + mankind. + </p> + <p> + Away, forever away with the creeds and books and forms and laws and + religions that take from the soul liberty and reason. Down with the idea + that thought is dangerous! Perish the infamous doctrine that man can have + property in man. Let us resent with indignation every effort to put a + chain upon our minds. If there is no God, certainly we should not bow and + cringe and crawl. If there is a God, there should be no slaves. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0010" id="link0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + LIBERTY OF WOMAN. + </h2> + <p> + Women have been the slaves of slaves; and in my judgment it took millions + of ages for woman to come from the condition of abject slavery up to the + institution of marriage. Let me say right here, that I regard marriage as + the holiest institution among men. Without the fireside there is no human + advancement; without the family relation there is no life worth living. + Every good government is made up of good families. The unit of good + government is the family, and anything that tends to destroy the family is + perfectly devilish and infamous. I believe in marriage, and I hold in + utter contempt the opinions of those long-haired men and short-haired + women who denounce the institution of marriage. + </p> + <p> + The grandest ambition that any man can possibly have, is to so live, and + so improve himself in heart and brain, as to be worthy of the love of some + splendid woman; and the grandest ambition of any girl is to make herself + worthy of the love and adoration of some magnificent man. That is my idea. + There is no success in life without love and marriage. You had better be + the emperor of one loving and tender heart, and she the empress of yours, + than to be king of the world. The man who has really won the love of one + good woman in this world, I do not care if he dies in the ditch a beggar, + his life has been a success. + </p> + <p> + I say it took millions of years to come from the condition of abject + slavery up to the condition of marriage. Ladies, the ornaments you wear + upon your persons to-night are but the souvenirs of your mother's bondage. + The chains around your necks, and the bracelets clasped upon your white + arms by the thrilled hand of love, have been changed by the wand of + civilization from iron to shining, glittering gold. + </p> + <p> + But nearly every religion has accounted for all the devilment in this + world by the crime of woman. What a gallant thing that is! And if it is + true, I had rather live with the woman I love in a world full of trouble, + than to live in heaven with nobody but men. + </p> + <p> + I read in a book—and I will say now that I cannot give the exact + language, as my memory does not retain the words, but I can give the + substance—I read in a book that the Supreme Being concluded to make + a world and one man; that he took some nothing and made a world and one + man, and put this man in a garden. In a little while he noticed that the + man got lonesome; that he wandered around as if he was waiting for a + train. There was nothing to interest him; no news; no papers; no politics; + no policy; and, as the devil had not yet made his appearance, there was no + chance for reconciliation; not even for civil service reform. Well, he + wandered about the garden in this condition, until finally the Supreme + Being made up his mind to make him a companion. + </p> + <p> + Having used up all the nothing he originally took in making the world and + one man, he had to take a part of the man to start a woman with. So he + caused a sleep to fall on this man—now understand me, I do not say + this story is true. After the sleep fell upon this man, the Supreme Being + took a rib, or as the French would call it, a cutlet, out of this man, and + from that he made a woman. And considering the amount of raw material + used, I look upon it as the most successful job ever performed. Well, + after he got the woman done, she was brought to the man; not to see how + she liked him, but to see how he liked her. He liked her, and they started + housekeeping; and they were told of certain things they might do and of + one thing they could not do—and of course they did it. I would have + done it in fifteen minutes, and I know it. There wouldn't have been an + apple on that tree half an hour from date, and the limbs would have been + full of clubs. And then they were turned out of the park and extra + policemen were put on to keep them from getting back. + </p> + <p> + Devilment commenced. The mumps, and the measles, and the whooping-cough, + and the scarlet fever started in their race for man. They began to have + the toothache, roses began to have thorns, snakes began to have poisoned + teeth, and people began to divide about religion and politics, and the + world has been full of trouble from that day to this. + </p> + <p> + Nearly all of the religions of this world account for the existence of + evil by such a story as that! + </p> + <p> + I read in another book what appeared to be an account of the same + transaction. It was written about four thousand years before the other. + All commentators agree that the one that was written last was the + original, and that the one that was written first was copied from the one + that was written last. But I would advise you all not to allow your creed + to be disturbed by a little matter of four or five thousand years. In this + other story, Brahma made up his mind to make the world and a man and + woman. He made the world, and he made the man and then the woman, and put + them on the island of Ceylon. According to the account it was the most + beautiful island of which man can conceive. Such birds, such songs, such + flowers and such verdure! And the branches of the trees were so arranged + that when the wind swept through them every tree was a thousand �?olian + harps. + </p> + <p> + Brahma, when he put them there, said: "Let them have a period of + courtship, for it is my desire and will that true love should forever + precede marriage." When I read that, it was so much more beautiful and + lofty than the other, that I said to myself, "If either one of these + stories ever turns out to be true, I hope it will be this one." + </p> + <p> + Then they had their courtship, with the nightingale singing, and the stars + shining, and the flowers blooming, and they fell in love. Imagine that + courtship! No prospective fathers or mothers-in-law; no prying and + gossiping neighbors; nobody to say, "Young man, how do you expect to + support her?" Nothing of that kind. They were married by the Supreme + Brahma, and he said to them: "Remain here; you must never leave this + island." Well, after a little while the man—and his name was Adami, + and the woman's name was Heva—said to Heva: "I believe I'll look + about a little." He went to the northern extremity of the island where + there was a little narrow neck of land connecting it with the mainland, + and the devil, who is always playing pranks with us, produced a mirage, + and when he looked over to the mainland, such hills and vales, such dells + and dales, such mountains crowned with snow, such cataracts clad in bows + of glory did he see there, that he went back and told Heva: "The country + over there is a thousand times better than this; let us migrate." She, + like every other woman that ever lived, said: "Let well enough alone; we + have all we want; let us stay here." But he said "No, let us go;" so she + followed him, and when they came to this narrow neck of land, he took her + on his back like a gentleman, and carried her over. But the moment they + got over they heard a crash, and looking back, discovered that this narrow + neck of land had fallen into the sea. The mirage had disappeared, and + there were naught but rocks and sand; and then the Supreme Brahma cursed + them both to the lowest hell. + </p> + <p> + Then it was that the man spoke,—and I have liked him ever since for + it—"Curse me, but curse not her, it was not her fault, it was mine." + </p> + <p> + That's the kind of man to start a world with. + </p> + <p> + The Supreme Brahma said: "I will save her, but not thee." And then she + spoke out of her fullness of love, out of a heart in which there was love + enough to make all her daughters rich in holy affection, and said: "If + thou wilt not spare him, spare neither me; I do not wish to live without + him; I love him." Then the Supreme Brahma said—and I have liked him + ever since I read it—"I will spare you both and watch over you and + your children forever." + </p> + <p> + Honor bright, is not that the better and grander story? + </p> + <p> + And from that same book I want to show you what ideas some of these + miserable heathen had; the heathen we are trying to convert. We send + missionaries over yonder to convert heathen there, and we send soldiers + out on the plains to kill heathen here. If we can convert the heathen, why + not convert those nearest home? Why not convert those we can get at? Why + not convert those who have the immense advantage of the example of the + average pioneer? But to show you the men we are trying to convert: In this + book it says: "Man is strength, woman is beauty; man is courage, woman is + love. When the one man loves the one woman and the one woman loves the one + man, the very angels leave heaven and come and sit in that house and sing + for joy." + </p> + <p> + They are the men we are converting. Think of it! I tell you, when I read + these things, I say that love is not of any country; nobility does not + belong exclusively to any race, and through all the ages, there have been + a few great and tender souls blossoming in love and pity. + </p> + <p> + In my judgment, the woman is the equal of the man. She has all the rights + I have and one more, and that is the right to be protected. That is my + doctrine. You are married; try and make the woman you love happy. Whoever + marries simply for himself will make a mistake; but whoever loves a woman + so well that he says "I will make her happy," makes no mistake. And so + with the woman who says, "I will make him happy." There is only one way to + be happy, and that is to make somebody else so, and you cannot be happy by + going cross lots; you have got to go the regular turnpike road. + </p> + <p> + If there is any man I detest, it is the man who thinks he is the head of a + family—the man who thinks he is "boss!" The fellow in the dug-out + used that word "boss;" that was one of his favorite expressions. + </p> + <p> + Imagine a young man and a young woman courting, walking out in the + moonlight, and the nightingale singing a song of pain and love, as though + the thorn touched her heart—imagine them stopping there in the + moonlight and starlight and song, and saying, "Now, here, let us settle + who is 'boss!'" I tell you it is an infamous word and an infamous feeling—I + abhor a man who is "boss," who is going to govern in his family, and when + he speaks orders all the rest to be still as some mighty idea is about to + be launched from his mouth. Do you know I dislike this man unspeakably? + </p> + <p> + I hate above all things a cross man. What right has he to murder the + sunshine of a day? What right has he to assassinate the joy of life? + </p> + <p> + When you go home you ought to go like a ray of light—so that it + will, even in the night, bursty out of the doors and windows and + illuminate the darkness. Some men think their mighty brains have been in a + turmoil; they have been thinking about who will be alderman from the fifth + ward; they have been thinking about politics; great and mighty questions + have been engaging their minds; they have bought calico at five cents or + six, and want to sell it for seven. Think of the intellectual strain that + must have been upon that man, and when he gets home everybody else in the + house must look out for his comfort. A woman who has only taken care of + five or six children, and one or two of them sick, has been nursing them + and singing to them, and trying to make one yard of cloth do the work of + two, she, of course, is fresh and fine and ready to wait upon this + gentleman—the head of the family—the boss! + </p> + <p> + Do you know another thing? I despise a stingy man. I do not see how it is + possible for a man to die worth fifty million of dollars, or ten million + of dollars, in a city full of want, when he meets almost every day the + withered hand of beggary and the white lips of famine. How a man can + withstand all that, and hold in the clutch of his greed twenty or thirty + million of dollars, is past my comprehension. I do not see how he can do + it. I should not think he could do it any more than he could keep a pile + of lumber on the beach, where hundreds and thousands of men were drowning + in the sea. + </p> + <p> + Do you know that I have known men who would trust their wives with their + hearts and their honor but not with their pocketbook; not with a dollar. + When I see a man of that kind, I always think he knows which of these + articles is the most valuable. Think of making your wife a beggar! Think + of her having to ask you every day for a dollar, or for two dollars or + fifty cents! "What did you do with that dollar I gave you last week?" + Think of having a wife that is afraid of you! What kind of children do you + expect to have with a beggar and a coward for their mother? Oh, I tell you + if you have but a dollar in the world, and you have got to spend it, spend + it like a king; spend it as though it were a dry leaf and you the owner of + unbounded forests! That's the way to spend it! I had rather be a beggar + and spend my last dollar like a king, than be a king and spend my money + like a beggar! If it has got to go, let it go! + </p> + <p> + Get the best you can for your family—try to look as well as you can + yourself. When you used to go courting, how elegantly you looked! Ah, your + eye was bright, your step was light, and you looked like a prince. Do you + know that it is insufferable egotism in you to suppose a woman is going to + love you always looking as slovenly as you can! Think of it! Any good + woman on earth will be true to you forever when you do your level best. + </p> + <p> + Some people tell me, "Your doctrine about loving, and wives, and all that, + is splendid for the rich, but it won't do for the poor." I tell you + to-night there is more love in the homes of the poor than in the palaces + of the rich. The meanest hut with love in it is a palace fit for the gods, + and a palace without love is a den only fit for wild beasts. That is my + doctrine! You cannot be so poor that you cannot help somebody. Good nature + is the cheapest commodity in the world; and love is the only thing that + will pay ten per cent, to borrower and lender both. Do not tell me that + you have got to be rich! We have a false standard of greatness in the + United States. We think here that a man must be great, that he must be + notorious; that he must be extremely wealthy, or that his name must be + upon the putrid lips of rumor. It is all a mistake. It is not necessary to + be rich or to be great, or to be powerful, to be happy. The happy man is + the successful man. + </p> + <p> + Happiness is the legal tender of the soul. + </p> + <p> + Joy is wealth. + </p> + <p> + A little while ago, I stood by the grave of the old Napoleon—a + magnificent tomb of gilt and gold, fit almost for a dead deity—and + gazed upon the sarcophagus of rare and nameless marble, where rest at last + the ashes of that restless man. I leaned over the balustrade and thought + about the career of the greatest soldier of the modern world. + </p> + <p> + I saw him walking upon the banks of the Seine, contemplating suicide. I + saw him at Toulon—I saw him putting down the mob in the streets of + Paris—I saw him at the head of the army of Italy—I saw him + crossing the bridge of Lodi with the tri-color in his hand—I saw him + in Egypt in the shadows of the pyramids—I saw him conquer the Alps + and mingle the eagles of France with the eagles of the crags. I saw him at + Marengo—at Ulm and Austerlitz. I saw him in Russia, where the + infantry of the snow and the cavalry of the wild blast scattered his + legions like winter's withered leaves. I saw him at Leipsic in defeat and + disaster—driven by a million bayonets back upon Paris—clutched + like a wild beast—banished to Elba. I saw him escape and retake an + empire by the force of his genius. I saw him upon the frightful field of + Waterloo, where Chance and Fate combined to wreck the fortunes of their + former king. And I saw him at St. Helena, with his hands crossed behind + him, gazing out upon the sad and solemn sea. + </p> + <p> + I thought of the orphans and widows he had made—of the tears that + had been shed for his glory, and of the only woman who ever loved him, + pushed from his heart by the cold hand of ambition. And I said I would + rather have been a French peasant and worn wooden shoes. I would rather + have lived in a hut with a vine growing over the door, and the grapes + growing purple in the kisses of the autumn sun. I would rather have been + that poor peasant with my loving wife by my side, knitting as the day died + out of the sky—with my children upon my knees and their arms about + me—I would rather have been that man and gone down to the tongueless + silence of the dreamless dust, than to have been that imperial + impersonation of force and murder, known as "Napoleon the Great." + </p> + <p> + It is not necessary to be great to be happy; it is not necessary to be + rich to be just and generous and to have a heart filled with divine + affection. No matter whether you are rich or poor, treat your wife as + though she were a splendid flower, and she will fill your life with + perfume and with joy. + </p> + <p> + And do you know, it is a splendid thing to think that the woman you really + love will never grow old to you. Through the wrinkles of time, through the + mask of years, if you really love her, you will always see the face you + loved and won. And a woman who really loves a man does not see that he + grows old; he is not decrepit to her; he does not tremble; he is not old; + she always sees the same gallant gentleman who won her hand and heart. I + like to think of it in that way; I like to think that love is eternal. And + to love in that way and then go down the hill of life together, and as you + go down, hear, perhaps, the laughter of grandchildren, while the birds of + joy and love sing once more in the leafless branches of the tree of age. + </p> + <p> + I believe in the fireside. I believe in the democracy of home. I believe + in the republicanism of the family. I believe in liberty, equality and + love. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0011" id="link0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE LIBERTY OF CHILDREN. + </h2> + <p> + If women have been slaves, what shall I say of children; of the little + children in alleys and sub-cellars; the little children who turn pale when + they hear their fathers' footsteps; little children who run away when they + only hear their names called by the lips of a mother; little children—the + children of poverty, the children of crime, the children of brutality, + wherever they are—flotsam and jetsam upon the wild, mad sea of life—my + heart goes out to them, one and all. + </p> + <p> + I tell you the children have the same rights that we have, and we ought to + treat them as though they were human beings. They should be reared with + love, with kindness, with tenderness, and not with brutality. That is my + idea of children. + </p> + <p> + When your little child tells a lie, do not rush at him as though the world + were about to go into bankruptcy. Be honest with him. A tyrant father will + have liars for his children; do you know that? + </p> + <p> + A lie is born of tyranny upon the one hand and weakness upon the other, + and when you rush at a poor little boy with a club in your hand, of course + he lies. + </p> + <p> + I thank thee, Mother Nature, that thou hast put ingenuity enough in the + brain of a child, when attacked by a brutal parent, to throw up a little + breastwork in the shape of a lie. + </p> + <p> + When one of your children tells a lie, be honest with him; tell him that + you have told hundreds of them yourself. Tell him it is not the best way; + that you have tried it. Tell him as the man did in Maine when his boy left + home: "John, honesty is the best policy; I have tried both." Be honest + with him. Suppose a man as much larger than you as you are larger than a + child five years old, should come at you with a liberty pole in his hand, + and in a voice of thunder shout, "Who broke that plate?" There is not a + solitary one of you who would not swear you never saw it, or that it was + cracked when you got it. Why not be honest with these children? Just + imagine a man who deals in stocks whipping his boy for putting false + rumors afloat! Think of a lawyer beating his own flesh and blood for + evading the truth when he makes half of his own living that way! Think of + a minister punishing his child for not telling all he thinks! Just think + of it! + </p> + <p> + When your child commits a wrong, take it in your arms; let it feel your + heart beat against its heart; let the child know that you really and truly + and sincerely love it. Yet some Christians, good Christians, when a child + commits a fault, drive it from the door and say: "Never do you darken this + house again." Think of that! And then these same people will get down on + their knees and ask God to take care of the child they have driven from + home. I will never ask God to take care of my children unless I am doing + my level best in that same direction. + </p> + <p> + But I will tell you what I say to my children: "Go where you will; commit + what crime you may; fall to what depth of degradation you may; you can + never commit any crime that will shut my door, my arms, or my heart to + you. As long as I live you shall have one sincere friend." + </p> + <p> + Do you know that I have seen some people who acted as though they thought + that when the Savior said "Suffer little children to come unto me, for of + such is the kingdom of heaven," he had a raw-hide under his mande, and + made that remark simply to get the children within striking distance? + </p> + <p> + I do not believe in the government of the lash, if any one of you ever + expects to whip your children again, I want you to have a photograph taken + of yourself when you are in the act, with your face red with vulgar anger, + and the face of the little child, with eyes swimming in tears and the + little chin dimpled with fear, like a piece of water struck by a sudden + cold wind. Have the picture taken. If that little child should die, I + cannot think of a sweeter way to spend an autumn afternoon than to go out + to the cemetery, when the maples are clad in tender gold, and little + scarlet runners are coming, like poems of regret, from the sad heart of + the earth—and sit down upon the grave and look at that photograph, + and think of the flesh now dust that you beat. I tell you it is wrong; it + is no way to raise children! Make your home happy. Be honest with them. + Divide fairly with them in everything. + </p> + <p> + Give them a little liberty and love, and you can not drive them out of + your house. They will want to stay there. Make home pleasant. Let them + play any game they wish. Do not be so foolish as to say: "You may roll + balls on the ground, but you must not roll them on a green cloth. You may + knock them with a mallet, but you must not push them with a cue. You may + play with little pieces of paper which have 'authors' written on them, but + you must not have 'cards.'" Think of it! "You may go to a minstrel show + where people blacken themselves and imitate humanity below them, but you + must not go to a theatre and see the characters created by immortal genius + put upon the stage." Why? Well, I can't think of any reason in the world + except "minstrel" is a word of two syllables, and "theatre" has three. + </p> + <p> + Let children have some daylight at home if you want to keep them there, + and do not commence at the cradle and shout "Don't!" "Don't!" "Stop!" That + is nearly all that is said to a child from the cradle until he is + twenty-one years old, and when he comes of age other people begin saying + "Don't!" And the church says "Don't!" and the party he belongs to says + "Don't!" + </p> + <p> + I despise that way of going through this world. Let us have liberty—just + a little. Call me infidel, call me atheist, call me what you will, I + intend so to treat my children, that they can come to my grave and + truthfully say: "He who sleeps here never gave us a moment of pain. From + his lips, now dust, never came to us an unkind word." + </p> + <p> + People justify all kinds of tyranny toward children upon the ground that + they are totally depraved. At the bottom of ages of cruelty lies this + infamous doctrine of total depravity. Religion contemplates a child as a + living crime—heir to an infinite curse—doomed to eternal fire. + </p> + <p> + In the olden time, they thought some days were too good for a child to + enjoy himself. When I was a boy Sunday was considered altogether too holy + to be happy in. Sunday used to commence then when the sun went down on + Saturday night. We commenced at that time for the purpose of getting a + good ready, and when the sun fell below the horizon on Saturday evening, + there was a darkness fell upon the house ten thousand times deeper than + that of night. Nobody said a pleasant word; nobody laughed; nobody smiled; + the child that looked the sickest was regarded as the most pious. That + night you could not even crack hickory nuts. If you were caught chewing + gum it was only another evidence of the total depravity of the human + heart. It was an exceedingly solemn night. + </p> + <p> + Dyspepsia was in the very air you breathed. Everybody looked sad and + mournful. I have noticed all my life that many people think they have + religion when they are troubled with dyspepsia. If there could be found an + absolute specific for that disease, it would be the hardest blow the + church has ever received. + </p> + <p> + On Sunday morning the solemnity had simply increased. Then we went to + church. The minister was in a pulpit about twenty feet high, with a little + sounding-board above him, and he commenced at "firstly" and went on and on + and on to about "twenty-thirdly." Then he made a few remarks by way of + application; and then took a general view of the subject, and in about two + hours reached the last chapter in Revelation. + </p> + <p> + In those days, no matter how cold the weather was, there was no fire in + the church. It was thought to be a kind of sin to be comfortable while you + were thanking God. The first church that ever had a stove in it in New + England, divided on that account. So the first church in which they sang + by note, was torn in fragments. + </p> + <p> + After the sermon we had an intermission. Then came the catechism with the + chief end of man. We went through with that. We sat in a row with our feet + coming in about six inches of the floor. The minister asked us if we knew + that we all deserved to go to hell, and we all answered "Yes." Then we + were asked if we would be willing to go to hell if it was God's will, and + every little liar shouted "Yes." Then the same sermon was preached once + more, commencing at the other end and going back. After that, we started + for home, sad and solemn—overpowered with the wisdom displayed in + the scheme of the atonement. When we got home, if we had been good boys, + and the weather was warm, sometimes they would take us out to the + graveyard to cheer us up a little. It did cheer me. When I looked at the + sunken tombs and the leaning stones, and read the half-effaced + inscriptions through the moss of silence and forgetfulness, it was a great + comfort. The reflection came to my mind that the observance of the Sabbath + could not last always. Sometimes they would sing that beautiful hymn in + which occurs these cheerful lines: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Where congregations ne'er break up, + And Sabbaths never end." +</pre> + <p> + These lines, I think, prejudiced me a little against even heaven. Then we + had good books that we read on Sundays by way of keeping us happy and + contented. There were Milners' "History of the Waldenses," Baxter's "Call + to the Unconverted," Yahn's "Archaeology of the Jews," and Jenkyns' "On + the Atonement." I used to read Jenkyns' "On the Atonement." I have often + thought that an atonement would have to be exceedingly broad in its + provisions to cover the case of a man who would write a book like that for + a boy. + </p> + <p> + But at last the Sunday wore away, and the moment the sun went down we were + free. Between three and four o'clock we would go out to see how the sun + was coming on. Sometimes it seemed to me that it was stopping from pure + meanness. But finally it went down. It had to. And when the last rim of + light sank below the horizon, off would go our caps, and we would give + three cheers for liberty once more. + </p> + <p> + Sabbaths used to be prisons. Every Sunday was a Bastile. Every Christian + was a kind of turnkey, and every child was a prisoner,—a convict. In + that dungeon, a smile was a crime. + </p> + <p> + It was thought wrong for a child to laugh upon this holy day. Think of + that! + </p> + <p> + A little child would go out into the garden, and there would be a tree + laden with blossoms, and the little fellow would lean against it, and + there would be a bird on one of the boughs, singing and swinging, and + thinking about four little speckled eggs, warmed by the breast of its + mate,—singing and swinging, and the music in happy waves rippling + out of its tiny throat, and the flowers blossoming, the air filled with + perfume and the great white clouds floating in the sky, and the little boy + would lean up against that tree and think about hell and the worm that + never dies. + </p> + <p> + I have heard them preach, when I sat in the pew and my feet did not touch + the floor, about the final home of the unconverted. In order to impress + upon the children the length of time they would probably stay if they + settled in that country, the preacher would frequently give us the + following illustration: "Suppose that once in a billion years a bird + should come from some far-distant planet, and carry off in its little bill + a grain of sand, a time would finally come when the last atom composing + this earth would be carried away; and when this last atom was taken, it + would not even be sun up in hell." Think of such an infamous doctrine + being taught to children! + </p> + <p> + The laugh of a child will make the holiest day-more sacred still. Strike, + with hand of fire, O weird musician, thy harp strung with Apollo's golden + hair; fill the vast cathedral aisles with symphonies sweet and dim, deft + toucher of the organ keys; blow, bugler, blow, until thy silver notes do + touch and kiss the moonlit waves, and charm the lovers wandering 'mid the + vine-clad hills. But know, your sweetest strains are discords all, + compared with childhood's happy laugh—the laugh that fills the eyes + with light and every heart with joy. O rippling river of laughter, thou + art the blessed boundary line between the beasts and men; and every + wayward wave of thine doth drown some fretful fiend of care. O Laughter, + rose-lipped daughter of Joy, there are dimples enough in thy cheeks to + catch and hold and glorify all the tears of grief. + </p> + <p> + And yet the minds of children have been polluted by this infamous doctrine + of eternal punishment. I denounce it to-day as a doctrine, the infamy of + which no language is sufficient to express. + </p> + <p> + Where did that doctrine of eternal punishment for men and women and + children come from? It came from the low and beastly skull of that wretch + in the dug-out. Where did he get it? It was a souvenir from the animals. + The doctrine of eternal punishment was born in the glittering eyes of + snakes—snakes that hung in fearful coils watching for their prey. It + was born of the howl and bark and growl of wild beasts. It was born of the + grin of hyenas and of the depraved chatter of unclean baboons. I despise + it with every drop of my blood. Tell me there is a God in the serene + heavens that will damn his children for the expression of an honest + belief! More men have died in their sins, judged by your orthodox creeds, + than there are leaves on all the forests in the wide world ten thousand + times over. Tell me these men are in hell; that these men are in torment; + that these children are in eternal pain, and that they are to be punished + forever and forever! I denounce this doctrine as the most infamous of + lies. + </p> + <p> + When the great ship containing the hopes and aspirations of the world, + when the great ship freighted with mankind goes down in the night of + death, chaos and disaster, I am willing to go down with the ship. I will + not be guilty of the ineffable meanness of paddling away in some orthodox + canoe. I will go down with the ship, with those who love me, and with + those whom I have loved. If there is a God who will damn his children + forever, I would rather go to hell than to go to heaven and keep the + society of such an infamous tyrant. I make my choice now. I despise that + doctrine. It has covered the cheeks of this world with tears. It has + polluted the hearts of children, and poisoned the imaginations of men. It + has been a constant pain, a perpetual terror to every good man and woman + and child. It has filled the good with horror and with fear; but it has + had no effect upon the infamous and base. It has wrung the hearts of the + tender; it has furrowed the cheeks of the good. This doctrine never should + be preached again. What right have you, sir, Mr. clergyman, you, minister + of the gospel, to stand at the portals of the tomb, at the vestibule of + eternity, and fill the future with horror and with fear? I do not believe + this doctrine: neither do you. If you did, you could not sleep one moment. + Any man who believes it, and has within his breast a decent, throbbing + heart, will go insane. A man who believes that doctrine and does not go + insane has the heart of a snake and the conscience of a hyena. + </p> + <p> + Jonathan Edwards, the dear old soul, who, if his doctrine is true, is now + in heaven rubbing his holy hands with glee, as he hears the cries of the + damned, preached this doctrine; and he said: "Can the believing husband in + heaven be happy with his unbelieving wife in hell? Can the believing + father in heaven be happy with his unbelieving children in hell? Can the + loving wife in heaven be happy with her unbelieving husband in hell?" And + he replies: "I tell you, yea. Such will be their sense of justice, that it + will increase rather than diminish their bliss." There is no wild beast in + the jungles of Africa whose reputation would not be tarnished by the + expression of such a doctrine. + </p> + <p> + These doctrines have been taught in the name of religion, in the name of + universal forgiveness, in the name of infinite love and charity. Do not, I + pray you, soil the minds of your children with this dogma. Let them read + for themselves; let them think for themselves. + </p> + <p> + Do not treat your children like orthodox posts to be set in a row. Treat + them like trees that need light and sun and air. Be fair and honest with + them; give them a chance. Recollect that their rights are equal to yours. + Do not have it in your mind that you must govern them; that they must + obey. Throw away forever the idea of master and slave. + </p> + <p> + In old times they used to make the children go to bed when they were not + sleepy, and get up when they were sleepy. I say let them go to bed when + they are sleepy, and get up when they are not sleepy. + </p> + <p> + But you say, this doctrine will do for the rich but not for the poor. + Well, if the poor have to waken their children early in the morning it is + as easy to wake them with a kiss as with a blow. Give your children + freedom; let them preserve their individuality. Let your children eat what + they desire, and commence at the end of a dinner they like. That is their + business and not yours. They know what they wish to eat. If they are given + their liberty from the first, they know what they want better than any + doctor in the world can prescribe. Do you know that all the improvement + that has ever been made in the practice of medicine has been made by the + recklessness of patients and not by the doctors? For thousands and + thousands of years the doctors would not let a man suffering from fever + have a drop of water. Water they looked upon as poison. But every now and + then some man got reckless and said, "I had rather die than not to slake + my thirst." Then he would drink two or three quarts of water and get well. + And when the doctor was told of what the patient had done, he expressed + great surprise that he was still alive, and complimented his constitution + upon being able to bear such a frightful strain. The reckless men, + however, kept on drinking the water, and persisted in getting well. And + finally the doctors said: "In a fever, water is the very best thing you + can take." So, I have more confidence in the voice of nature about such + things than I have in the conclusions of the medical schools. + </p> + <p> + Let your children have freedom and they will fall into your ways; they + will do substantially as you do; but if you try to make them, there is + some magnificent, splendid thing in the human heart that refuses to be + driven. And do you know that it is the luckiest thing that ever happened + for this world, that people are that way. What would have become of the + people five hundred years ago if they had followed strictly the advice of + the doctors? They would have all been dead. What would the people have + been, if at any age of the world they had followed implicitly the + direction of the church? They would have all been idiots. It is a splendid + thing that there is always some grand man who will not mind, and who will + think for himself. + </p> + <p> + I believe in allowing the children to think for themselves. I believe in + the democracy of the family. If in this world there is anything splendid, + it is a home where all are equals. + </p> + <p> + You will remember that only a few years ago parents would tell their + children to "let their victuals stop their mouths." They used to eat as + though it were a religious ceremony—a very solemn thing. Life should + not be treated as a solemn matter. I like to see the children at table, + and hear each one telling of the wonderful things he has seen and heard. I + like to hear the clatter of knives and forks and spoons mingling with + their happy voices. I had rather hear it than any opera that was ever put + upon the boards. Let the children have liberty. Be honest and fair with + them; be just; be tender, and they will make you rich in love and joy. + </p> + <p> + Men are oaks, women are vines, children are flowers. + </p> + <p> + The human race has been guilty of almost countless crimes; but I have some + excuse for mankind. This world, after all, is not very well adapted to + raising good people. In the first place, nearly all of it is water. It is + much better adapted to fish culture than to the production of folks. Of + that portion which is land not one-eighth has suitable soil and climate to + produce great men and women. You cannot raise men and women of genius, + without the proper soil and climate, any more than you can raise corn and + wheat upon the ice fields of the Arctic sea. You must have the necessary + conditions and surroundings. Man is a product; you must have the soil and + food. The obstacles presented by nature must not be so great that man + cannot, by reasonable industry and courage, overcome them. There is upon + this world only a narrow belt of land, circling zigzag the globe, upon + which you can produce men and women of talent. In the Southern Hemisphere + the real climate that man needs falls mostly upon the sea, and the result + is, that the southern half of our world has never produced a man or woman + of great genius. In the far north there is no genius—it is too cold. + In the far south there is no genius—it is too warm. There must be + winter, and there must be summer. In a country where man needs no coverlet + but a cloud, revolution is his normal condition. Winter is the mother of + industry and prudence. Above all, it is the mother of the family relation. + Winter holds in its icy arms the husband and wife and the sweet children. + If upon this earth we ever have a glimpse of heaven, it is when we pass a + home in winter, at night, and through the windows, the curtains drawn + aside, we see the family about the pleasant hearth; the old lady knitting; + the cat playing with the yarn; the children wishing they had as many dolls + or dollars or knives or somethings, as there are sparks going out to join + the roaring blast; the father reading and smoking, and the clouds rising + like incense from the altar of domestic joy. I never passed such a house + without feeling that I had received a benediction. + </p> + <p> + Civilization, liberty, justice, charity, intellectual advancement, are all + flowers that blossom in the drifted snow. + </p> + <p> + I do not know that I can better illustrate the great truth that only part + of the world is adapted to the production of great men and women than by + calling your attention to the difference between vegetation in valleys and + upon mountains. In the valley you find the oak and elm tossing their + branches defiantly to the storm, and as you advance up the mountain side + the hemlock, the pine, the birch, the spruce, the fir, and finally you + come to little dwarfed trees, that look like other trees seen through a + telescope reversed—every limb twisted as though in pain—getting + a scanty subsistence from the miserly crevices of the rocks. You go on and + on, until at last the highest crag is freckled with a kind of moss, and + vegetation ends. You might as well try to raise oaks and elms where the + mosses grow, as to raise great men and great women where their + surroundings are unfavorable. You must have the proper climate and soil. + </p> + <p> + A few years ago we were talking about the annexation of Santo Domingo to + this country. I was in Washington at the time. I was opposed to it I was + told that it was a most delicious climate; that the soil produced + everything. But I said: "We do not want it; it is not the right kind of + country in which to raise American citizens. Such a climate would debauch + us. You might go there with five thousand Congregational preachers, five + thousand ruling elders, five thousand professors in colleges, five + thousand of the solid men of Boston and their wives; settle them all in + Santo Domingo, and you will see the second generation riding upon a mule, + bareback, no shoes, a grapevine bridle, hair sticking out at the top of + their sombreros, with a rooster under each arm, going to a cock fight on + Sunday." Such is the influence of climate. + </p> + <p> + Science, however, is gradually widening the area within which men of + genius can be produced. We are conquering the north with houses, clothing, + food and fuel. We are in many ways overcoming the heat of the south. If we + attend to this world instead of another, we may in time cover the land + with men and women of genius. + </p> + <p> + I have still another excuse. I believe that man came up from the lower + animals. I do not say this as a fact. I simply say I believe it to be a + fact. Upon that question I stand about eight to seven, which, for all + practical purposes, is very near a certainty. When I first heard of that + doctrine I did not like it. My heart was filled with sympathy for those + people who have nothing to be proud of except ancestors. I thought, how + terrible this will be upon the nobility of the Old World. Think of their + being forced to trace their ancestry back to the duke Orang Outang, or to + the princess Chimpanzee. After thinking it all over, I came to the + conclusion that I liked that doctrine. I became convinced in spite of + myself. I read about rudimentary bones and muscles. I was told that + everybody had rudimentary muscles extending from the ear into the cheek. I + asked "What are they?" I was told: "They are the remains of muscles; that + they became rudimentary from lack of use; they went into bankruptcy. They + are the muscles with which your ancestors used to flap their ears." I do + not now so much wonder that we once had them as that we have outgrown + them. + </p> + <p> + After all I had rather belong to a race that started from the skull-less + vertebrates in the dim Laurentian seas, vertebrates wiggling without + knowing why they wiggled, swimming without knowing where they were going, + but that in some way began to develop, and began to get a little higher + and a little higher in the scale of existence; that came up by degrees + through millions of ages through all the animal world, through all that + crawls and swims and floats and climbs and walks, and finally produced the + gentleman in the dug-out; and then from this man, getting a little + grander, and each one below calling every one above him a heretic, calling + every one who had made a little advance an infidel or an atheist—for + in the history of this world the man who is ahead has always been called a + heretic—I would rather come from a race that started from that + skull-less vertebrate, and came up and up and up and finally produced + Shakespeare, the man who found the human intellect dwelling in a hut, + touched it with the wand of his genius and it became a palace domed and + pinnacled; Shakespeare, who harvested all the fields of dramatic thought, + and from whose day to this, there have been only gleaners of straw and + chaff—I would rather belong to that race that commenced a skull-less + vertebrate and produced Shakespeare, a race that has before it an infinite + future, with the angel of progress leaning from the far horizon, beckoning + men forward, upward and onward forever—I had rather belong to such a + race, commencing there, producing this, and with that hope, than to have + sprung from a perfect pair upon which the Lord has lost money every moment + from that day to this. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkCONC" id="linkCONC"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + CONCLUSION. + </h2> + <p> + I have given you my honest thought. Surely investigation is better than + unthinking faith. Surely reason is a better guide than fear. This world + should be controlled by the living, not by the dead. The grave is not a + throne, and a corpse is not a king. Man should not try to live on ashes. + </p> + <p> + The theologians dead, knew no more than the theologians now living. More + than this cannot be said. About this world little is known,—about + another world, nothing. + </p> + <p> + Our fathers were intellectual serfs, and their fathers were slaves. The + makers of our creeds were ignorant and brutal. Every dogma that we have, + has upon it the mark of whip, the rust of chain, and the ashes of fagot. + </p> + <p> + Our fathers reasoned with instruments of torture. They believed in the + logic of fire and sword. They hated reason. They despised thought. They + abhorred liberty. + </p> + <p> + Superstition is the child of slavery. Free thought will give us truth. + When all have the right to think and to express their thoughts, every + brain will give to all the best it has. The world will then be filled with + intellectual wealth. + </p> + <p> + As long as men and women are afraid of the church, as long as a minister + inspires fear, as long as people reverence a thing simply because they do + not understand it, as long as it is respectable to lose your self-respect, + as long as the church has power, as long as mankind worship a book, just + so long will the world be filled with intellectual paupers and vagrants, + covered with the soiled and faded rags of superstition. + </p> + <p> + As long as woman regards the Bible as the charter of her rights, she will + be the slave of man. The Bible was not written by a woman. Within its lids + there is nothing but humiliation and shame for her. She is regarded as the + property of man. She is made to ask forgiveness for becoming a mother. She + is as much below her husband, as her husband is below Christ. She is not + allowed to speak. The gospel is too pure to be spoken by her polluted + lips. Woman should learn in silence. + </p> + <p> + In the Bible will be found no description of a civilized home. The free + mother surrounded by free and loving children, adored by a free man, her + husband, was unknown to the inspired writers of the Bible. They did not + believe in the democracy of home—in the republicanism of the + fireside. + </p> + <p> + These inspired gentlemen knew nothing of the rights of children. They were + the advocates of brute force—the disciples of the lash. They knew + nothing of human rights. Their doctrines have brutalized the homes of + millions, and filled the eyes of infancy with tears. + </p> + <p> + Let us free ourselves from the tyranny of a book, from the slavery of dead + ignorance, from the aristocracy of the air. + </p> + <p> + There has never been upon the earth a generation of free men and women. It + is not yet time to write a creed. Wait until the chains are broken—until + dungeons are not regarded as temples. Wait until solemnity is not mistaken + for wisdom—until mental cowardice ceases to be known as reverence. + Wait until the living are considered the equals of the dead—until + the cradle takes precedence of the coffin. Wait until what we know can be + spoken without regard to what others may believe. Wait until teachers take + the place of preachers—until followers become investigators. Wait + until the world is free before you write a creed. + </p> + <p> + In this creed there will be but one word—Liberty. + </p> + <p> + Oh Liberty, float not forever in the far horizon—remain not forever + in the dream of the enthusiast, the philanthropist and poet, but come and + make thy home among the children of men! + </p> + <p> + I know not what discoveries, what inventions, what thoughts may leap from + the brain of the world. I know not what garments of glory may be woven by + the years to come. I cannot dream of the victories to be won upon the + fields of thought; but I do know, that coming from the infinite sea of the + future, there will never touch this "bank and shoal of time" a richer + gift, a rarer blessing than liberty for man, for woman, and for child. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0013" id="link0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + ABOUT FARMING IN ILLINOIS + </h2> + <p> + To Plow is to Pray—to Plant is to Prophesy, and the Harvest Answers + and Fulfills. + </p> + <p> + I AM not an old and experienced farmer, nor a tiller of the soil, nor one + of the hard-handed sons of labor. I imagine, however, that I know + something about cultivating the soil, and getting happiness out of the + ground. + </p> + <p> + I know enough to know that agriculture is the basis of all wealth, + prosperity and luxury. I know that in a country where the tillers of the + fields are free, everybody is free and ought to be prosperous. Happy is + that country where those who cultivate the land own it. Patriotism is born + in the woods and fields—by lakes and streams—by crags and + plains. + </p> + <p> + The old way of farming was a great mistake. Everything was done the wrong + way. It was all work and waste, weariness and want. They used to fence a + hundred and sixty acres of land with a couple of dogs. Everything was left + to the protection of the blessed trinity of chance, accident and mistake. + </p> + <p> + When I was a farmer they used to haul wheat two hundred miles in wagons + and sell it for thirty-five cents a bushel. They would bring home about + three hundred feet of lumber, two bunches of shingles, a barrel of salt, + and a cook-stove that never would draw and never did bake. + </p> + <p> + In those blessed days the people lived on corn and bacon. Cooking was an + unknown art. Eating was a necessity, not a pleasure. It was hard work for + the cook to keep on good terms even with hunger. + </p> + <p> + We had poor houses. The rain held the roofs in perfect contempt, and the + snow drifted joyfully on the floors and beds. They had no barns. The + horses were kept in rail pens surrounded with straw. Long before spring + the sides would be eaten away and nothing but roofs would be left. Food is + fuel. When the cattle were exposed to all the blasts of winter, it took + all the corn and oats that could be stuffed into them to prevent actual + starvation. + </p> + <p> + In those times most farmers thought the best place for the pig-pen was + immediately in front of the house. There is nothing like sociability. + </p> + <p> + Women were supposed to know the art of making fires without fuel. The wood + pile consisted, as a general thing, of one log upon which an axe or two + had been worn out in vain. There was nothing to kindle a fire with. + Pickets were pulled from the garden fence, clap-boards taken from the + house, and every stray plank was seized upon for kindling. Everything was + done in the hardest way. Everything about the farm was disagreeable. + Nothing was kept in order. Nothing was preserved. The wagons stood in the + sun and rain, and the plows rusted in the fields. There was no leisure, no + feeling that the work was done. It was all labor and weariness and + vexation of spirit. The crops were destroyed by wandering herds, or they + were put in too late, or too early, or they were blown down, or caught by + the frost, or devoured by bugs, or stung by flies, or eaten by worms, or + carried away by birds, or dug up by gophers, or washed away by floods, or + dried up by the sun, or rotted in the stack, or heated in the crib, or + they all run to vines, or tops, or straw, or smut, or cobs. And when in + spite of all these accidents that lie in wait between, the plow and the + reaper, they did succeed in raising a good crop and a high price was + offered, then the roads would be impassable. And when the roads got good, + then the prices went down. Everything worked together for evil. + </p> + <p> + Nearly every farmer's boy took an oath that he never would cultivate the + soil. The moment they arrived at the age of twenty-one they left the + desolate and dreary farms and rushed to the towns and cities. They wanted + to be bookkeepers, doctors, merchants, railroad men, insurance agents, + lawyers, even preachers, anything to avoid the drudgery of the farm. + Nearly every boy acquainted with the three R's—reading, writing, and + arithmetic—imagined that he had altogether more education than ought + to be wasted in raising potatoes and corn. They made haste to get into + some other business. Those who stayed upon the farm envied those who went + away. + </p> + <p> + A few years ago the times were prosperous, and the young men went to the + cities to enjoy the fortunes that were waiting for them. They wanted to + engage in something that promised quick returns. They built railways, + established banks and insurance companies. They speculated in stocks in + Wall Street, and gambled in grain at Chicago. They became rich. They lived + in palaces. They rode in carriages. They pitied their poor brothers on the + farms, and the poor brothers envied them. + </p> + <p> + But time has brought its revenge. The farmers have seen the railroad + president a bankrupt, and the road in the hands of a receiver. They have + seen the bank president abscond, and the insurance company a wrecked and + ruined fraud. The only solvent people, as a class, the only independent + people, are the tillers of the soil. + </p> + <p> + Farming must be made more attractive. The comforts of the town must be + added to the beauty of the fields. The sociability of the city must be + rendered possible in the country. + </p> + <p> + Farming has been made repulsive. The farmers have been unsociable and + their homes have been lonely. They have been wasteful and careless. They + have not been proud of their business. + </p> + <p> + In the first place, farming ought to be reasonably profitable. The farmers + have not attended to their own interests. They have been robbed and + plundered in a hundred ways. + </p> + <p> + No farmer can afford to raise corn and oats and hay to sell. He should + sell horses, not oats; sheep, cattle and pork, not corn. He should make + every profit possible out of what he produces. So long as the farmers of + Illinois ship their corn and oats, so long they will be poor,—just + so long will their farms be mortgaged to the insurance companies and banks + of the East,—just so long will they do the work and others reap the + benefit,—just so long will they be poor, and the money lenders grow + rich,—just so long will cunning avarice grasp and hold the net + profits of honest toil. When the farmers of the West ship beef and pork + instead of grain,—when we manufacture here,—when we cease + paying tribute to others, ours will be the most prosperous country in the + world. + </p> + <p> + Another thing—It is just as cheap to raise a good as a poor breed of + cattle. Scrubs will eat just as much as thoroughbreds. If you are not able + to buy Durhams and Alderneys, you can raise the corn breed. By "corn + breed" I mean the cattle that have, for several generations, had enough to + eat, and have been treated with kindness. Every farmer who will treat his + cattle kindly, and feed them all they want, will, in a few years, have + blooded stock on his farm. All blooded stock has been produced in this + way. You can raise good cattle just as you can raise good people. If you + wish to raise a good boy you must give him plenty to eat, and treat him + with kindness. In this way, and in this way only, can good cattle or good + people be produced. + </p> + <p> + Another thing—You must beautify your homes. + </p> + <p> + When I was a farmer it was not fashionable to set out trees, nor to plant + vines. + </p> + <p> + When you visited the farm you were not welcomed by flowers, and greeted by + trees loaded with fruit. Yellow dogs came bounding over the tumbled fence + like wild beasts. There is no sense—there is no profit in such a + life. It is not living. The farmers ought to beautify their homes. There + should be trees and grass and flowers and running vines. Everything should + be kept in order—gates should be on their hinges, and about all + there should be the pleasant air of thrift. In every house there should be + a bath-room. The bath is a civilizer, a refiner, a beautifier. When you + come from the fields tired, covered with dust, nothing is so refreshing. + Above all things, keep clean. It is not necessary to be a pig in order to + raise one. In the cool of the evening, after a day in the field, put on + clean clothes, take a seat under the trees, 'mid the perfume of flowers, + surrounded by your family, and you will know what it is to enjoy life like + a gentleman. + </p> + <p> + In no part of the globe will farming pay better than in Illinois. You are + in the best portion of the earth. From the Atlantic to the Pacific, there + is no such country as yours. The East is hard and stony; the soil is + stingy. The far West is a desert parched and barren, dreary and desolate + as perdition would be with the fires out. It is better to dig wheat and + corn from the soil than gold. Only a few days ago, I was where they wrench + the precious metals from the miserly clutch of the rocks. When I saw the + mountains, treeless, shrub-less, flowerless, without even a spire of + grass, it seemed to me that gold had the same effect upon the country that + holds it, as upon the man who lives and labors only for that. It affects + the land as it does the man. It leaves the heart barren without a flower + of kindness—without a blossom of pity. + </p> + <p> + The farmer in Illinois has the best soil—the greatest return for the + least labor—more leisure—more time for enjoyment than any + other farmer in the world. His hard work ceases with autumn. He has the + long winters in which to become acquainted with his family—with his + neighbors—in which to read and keep abreast with the advanced + thought of his day. He has the time and means for self-culture. He has + more time than the mechanic, the merchant or the professional man. If the + farmer is not well informed it is his own fault. Books are cheap, and + every farmer can have enough to give him the outline of every science, and + an idea of all that has been accomplished by man. + </p> + <p> + In many respects the farmer has the advantage of the mechanic. In our time + we have plenty of mechanics but no tradesmen. In the sub-division of labor + we have a thousand men working upon different parts of the same thing, + each taught in one particular branch, and in only one. We have, say, in a + shoe factory, hundreds of men, but not one shoemaker. It takes them all, + assisted by a great number of machines, to make a shoe. Each does a + particular part, and not one of them knows the entire trade. The result is + that the moment the factory shuts down these men are out of employment. + Out of employment means out of bread—out of bread means famine and + horror. The mechanic of to-day has but little independence. His prosperity + often depends upon the good will of one man. He is liable to be discharged + for a look, for a word. He lays by but little for his declining years. He + is, at the best, the slave of capital. + </p> + <p> + It is a thousand times better to be a whole farmer than part of a + mechanic. It is better to till the ground and work for yourself than to be + hired by corporations. Every man should endeavor to belong to himself. + </p> + <p> + About seven hundred years ago, Khayyam, a Persian, said: "Why should a man + who possesses a piece of bread securing life for two days, and who has a + cup of water—why should such a man be commanded by another, and why + should such a man serve another?" + </p> + <p> + Young men should not be satisfied with a salary. Do not mortgage the + possibilities of your future. Have the courage to take life as it comes, + feast or famine. Think of hunting a gold mine for a dollar a day, and + think of finding one for another man. How would you feel then? + </p> + <p> + We are lacking in true courage, when, for fear of the future, we take the + crusts and scraps and niggardly salaries of the present. I had a thousand + times rather have a farm and be independent, than to be President of the + United States without independence, filled with doubt and trembling, + feeling of the popular pulse, resorting to art and artifice, enquiring + about the wind of opinion, and succeeding at last in losing my + self-respect without gaining the respect of others. + </p> + <p> + Man needs more manliness, more real independence. We must take care of + ourselves. This we can do by labor, and in this way we can preserve our + independence. We should try and choose that business or profession the + pursuit of which will give us the most happiness. Happiness is wealth. We + can be happy without being rich—without holding office—without + being famous. I am not sure that we can be happy with wealth, with office, + or with fame. + </p> + <p> + There is a quiet about the life of a farmer, and the hope of a serene old + age, that no other business or profession can promise. A professional man + is doomed sometime to feel that his powers are waning. He is doomed to see + younger and stronger men pass him in the race of life. He looks forward to + an old age of intellectual mediocrity. He will be last where once he was + the first. But the farmer goes, as it were, into partnership with nature—he + lives with trees and flowers—he breathes the sweet air of the + fields. There is no constant and frightful strain upon his mind. His + nights are filled with sleep and rest. He watches his flocks and herds as + they feed upon the green and sunny slopes. He hears the pleasant rain + falling upon the waving corn, and the trees he planted in youth rustle + above him as he plants others for the children yet to be. + </p> + <p> + Our country is filled with the idle and unemployed, and the great question + asking for an answer is: What shall be done with these men? What shall + these men do? To this there is but one answer: They must cultivate the + soil. Farming must be rendered more attractive. Those who work the land + must have an honest pride in their business. They must educate their + children to cultivate the soil. They must make farming easier, so that + their children will not hate it—so that they will not hate it + themselves. The boys must not be taught that tilling the ground is a curse + and almost a disgrace. They must not suppose that education is thrown away + upon them unless they become ministers, merchants, lawyers, doctors, or + statesmen. It must be understood that education can be used to advantage + on a farm. We must get rid of the idea that a little learning unfits one + for work. There is no real conflict between Latin and labor. There are + hundreds of graduates of Yale and Harvard and other colleges, who are + agents of sewing machines, solicitors for insurance, clerks, copyists, in + short, performing a hundred varieties of menial service. They seem willing + to do anything that is not regarded as work—anything that can be + done in a town, in the house, in an office, but they avoid farming as they + would a leprosy. Nearly every young man educated in this way is simply + ruined. Such an education ought to be called ignorance. It is a thousand + times better to have common sense without education, than education + without the sense. Boys and girls should be educated to help themselves. + They should be taught that it is disgraceful to be idle, and dishonorable + to be useless. + </p> + <p> + I say again, if you want more men and women on the farms, something must + be done to make farm life pleasant. One great difficulty is that the farm + is lonely. People write about the pleasures of solitude, but they are + found only in books. He who lives long alone becomes insane. A hermit is a + madman. Without friends and wife and child, there is nothing left worth + living for. The unsocial are the enemies of joy. They are filled with + egotism and envy, with vanity and hatred. People who live much alone + become narrow and suspicious. They are apt to be the property of one idea. + They begin to think there is no use in anything. They look upon the + happiness of others as a kind of folly. They hate joyous folks, because, + way down in their hearts, they envy them. + </p> + <p> + In our country, farm-life is too lonely. The farms are large, and + neighbors are too far apart. In these days, when the roads are filled with + "tramps," the wives and children need protection. When the farmer leaves + home and goes to some distant field to work, a shadow of fear is upon his + heart all day, and a like shadow rests upon all at home. + </p> + <p> + In the early settlement of our country the pioneer was forced to take his + family, his axe, his dog and his gun, and go into the far wild forest, and + build his cabin miles and miles from any neighbor. He saw the smoke from + his hearth go up alone in all the wide and lonely sky. + </p> + <p> + But this necessity has passed away, and now, instead of living so far + apart upon the lonely farms, you should live in villages. With the + improved machinery which you have—with your generous soil—with + your markets and means of transportation, you can now afford to live + together. + </p> + <p> + It is not necessary in this age of the world for the farmer to rise in the + middle of the night and begin his work. This getting up so early in the + morning is a relic of barbarism. It has made hundreds and thousands of + young men curse the business. There is no need of getting up at three or + four o'clock in the winter morning. The farmer who persists in doing it + and persists in dragging his wife and children from their beds ought to be + visited by a missionary. It is time enough to rise after the sun has set + the example. For what purpose do you get up? To feed the cattle? Why not + feed them more the night before? It is a waste of life. In the old times + they used to get up about three o'clock in the morning, and go to work + long before the sun had risen with "healing upon his wings," and as a just + punishment they all had the ague; and they ought to have it now. The man + who cannot get a living upon Illinois soil without rising before daylight + ought to starve. Eight hours a day is enough for any farmer to work except + in harvest time. When you rise at four and work till dark what is life + worth? Of what use are all the improvements in farming? Of what use is all + the improved machinery unless it tends to give the farmer a little more + leisure? What is harvesting now, compared with what it was in the old + time? Think of the days of reaping, of cradling, of raking and binding and + mowing. Think of threshing with the flail and winnowing with the wind. And + now think of the reapers and mowers, the binders and threshing machines, + the plows and cultivators, upon which the farmer rides protected from the + sun. If, with all these advantages, you cannot get a living without rising + in the middle of the night, go into some other business. You should not + rob your families of sleep. Sleep is the best medicine in the world. It is + the best doctor upon the earth. There is no such thing as health without + plenty of sleep. Sleep until you are thoroughly rested and restored. When + you work, work; and when you get through take a good, long, and refreshing + rest. + </p> + <p> + You should live in villages, so that you can have the benefits of social + life. You can have a reading-room—you can take the best papers and + magazines—you can have plenty of books, and each one can have the + benefit of them all. Some of the young men and women can cultivate music. + You can have social gatherings—you can learn from each other—you + can discuss all topics of interest, and in this way you can make farming a + delightful business. You must keep up with the age. The way to make + farming respectable is for farmers to become really intelligent. They must + live intelligent and happy lives. They must know something of books and + something of what is going on in the world. They must not be satisfied + with knowing something of the affairs of a neighborhood and nothing about + the rest of the earth. The business must be made attractive, and it never + can be until the farmer has prosperity, intelligence and leisure. + </p> + <p> + Another thing—I am a believer in fashion. It is the duty of every + woman to make herself as beautiful and attractive as she possibly can. + </p> + <p> + "Handsome is as handsome does," but she is much handsomer if well dressed. + Every man should look his very best. I am a believer in good clothes. The + time never ought to come in this country when you can tell a farmer's wife + or daughter simply by the garments she wears. I say to every girl and + woman, no matter what the material of your dress may be, no matter how + cheap and coarse it is, cut it and make it in the fashion. I believe in + jewelry. Some people look upon it as barbaric, but in my judgment, wearing + jewelry is the first evidence the barbarian gives of a wish to be + civilized. To adorn ourselves seems to be a part of our nature, and this + desire seems to be everywhere and in everything. I have sometimes thought + that the desire for beauty covers the earth with flowers. It is this + desire that paints the wings of moths, tints the chamber of the shell, and + gives the bird its plumage and its song. Oh daughters and wives, if you + would be loved, adorn yourselves—if you would be adored, be + beautiful! + </p> + <p> + There is another fault common with the farmers of our country—they + want too much land. You cannot, at present, when taxes are high, afford to + own land that you do not cultivate. Sell it and let others make farms and + homes. In this way what you keep will be enhanced in value. Farmers ought + to own the land they cultivate, and cultivate what they own. Renters can + hardly be called farmers. There can be no such thing in the highest sense + as a home unless you own it. There must be an incentive to plant trees, to + beautify the grounds, to preserve and improve. It elevates a man to own a + home. It gives a certain independence, a force of character that is + obtained in no other way. A man without a home feels like a passenger. + There is in such a man a little of the vagrant. Homes make patriots. He + who has sat by his own fireside with wife and children will defend it. + When he hears the word country pronounced, he thinks of his home. + </p> + <p> + Few men have been patriotic enough to shoulder a musket in defence of a + boarding house. + </p> + <p> + The prosperity and glory of our country depend upon the number of our + people who are the owners of homes. Around the fireside cluster the + private and the public virtues of our race. Raise your sons to be + independent through labor—to pursue some business for themselves and + upon their own account—to be self-reliant—to act upon their + own responsibility, and to take the consequences like men. Teach them + above all things to be good, true and tender husbands—winners of + love and builders of homes. + </p> + <p> + A great many farmers seem to think that they are the only laborers in the + world. This is a very foolish thing. Farmers cannot get along without the + mechanic. You are not independent of the man of genius. Your prosperity + depends upon the inventor. The world advances by the assistance of all + laborers; and all labor is under obligations to the inventions of genius. + The inventor does as much for agriculture as he who tills the soil. All + laboring men should be brothers. You are in partnership with the mechanics + who make your reapers, your mowers and your plows; and you should take + into your granges all the men who make their living by honest labor. The + laboring people should unite and should protect themselves against all + idlers. You can divide mankind into two classes: the laborers and the + idlers, the supporters and the supported, the honest and the dishonest. + Every man is dishonest who lives upon the unpaid labor of others, no + matter if he occupies a throne. All laborers should be brothers. The + laborers should have equal rights before the world and before the law. And + I want every farmer to consider every man who labors either with hand or + brain as his brother. Until genius and labor formed a partnership there + was no such thing as prosperity among men. Every reaper and mower, every + agricultural implement, has elevated the work of the farmer, and his + vocation grows grander with every invention. In the olden time the + agriculturist was ignorant; he knew nothing of machinery, he was the slave + of superstition. He was always trying to appease some imaginary power by + fasting and prayer. He supposed that some being actuated by malice, sent + the untimely frost, or swept away with the wild wind his rude abode. To + him the seasons were mysteries. The thunder told him of an enraged god—the + barren fields of the vengeance of heaven. The tiller of the soil lived in + perpetual and abject fear. He knew nothing of mechanics, nothing of order, + nothing of law, nothing of cause and effect. He was a superstitious + savage. He invented prayers instead of plows, creeds instead of reapers + and mowers. He was unable to devote all his time to the gods, and so he + hired others to assist him, and for their influence with the gentlemen + supposed to control the weather, he gave one-tenth of all he could + produce. + </p> + <p> + The farmer has been elevated through science and he should not forget the + debt he owes to the mechanic, to the inventor, to the thinker. He should + remember that all laborers belong to the same grand family—that they + are the real kings and queens, the only true nobility. + </p> + <p> + Another idea entertained by most farmers is that they are in some + mysterious way oppressed by every other kind of business—that they + are devoured by monopolies, especially by railroads. + </p> + <p> + Of course, the railroads are indebted to the farmers for their prosperity, + and the farmers are indebted to the railroads. Without them Illinois would + be almost worthless. + </p> + <p> + A few years ago you endeavored to regulate the charges of railroad + companies. The principal complaint you had was that they charged too much + for the transportation of corn and other cereals to the East. You should + remember that all freights are paid by the consumer; and that it made + little difference to you what the railroad charged for transportation to + the East, as that transportation had to be paid by the consumers of the + grain. You were really interested in transportation from the East to the + West and in local freights. The result is that while you have put down + through freights you have not succeeded so well in local freights. The + exact opposite should be the policy of Illinois. Put down local freights; + put them down, if you can, to the lowest possible figure, and let through + rates take care of themselves. If all the corn raised in Illinois could be + transported to New York absolutely free, it would enhance but little the + price that you would receive. What we want is the lowest possible local + rate. Instead of this you have simply succeeded in helping the East at the + expense of the West. The railroads are your friends. They are your + partners. They can prosper only where the country through which they run + prospers. All intelligent railroad men know this. They know that present + robbery is future bankruptcy. They know that the interest of the farmer + and of the railroad is the same. We must have railroads. What can we do + without them? + </p> + <p> + When we had no railroads, we drew, as I said before, our grain two hundred + miles to market. + </p> + <p> + In those days the farmers did not stop at hotels. They slept under their + wagons—took with them their food—fried their own bacon, made + their coffee, and ate their meals in the snow and rain. Those were the + days when they received ten cents a bushel for corn—when they sold + four bushels of potatoes for a quarter—thirty-three dozen eggs for a + dollar, and a hundred pounds of pork for a dollar and a half. + </p> + <p> + What has made the difference? + </p> + <p> + The railroads came to your door and they brought with them the markets of + the world. They brought New York and Liverpool and London into Illinois, + and the State has been clothed with prosperity as with a mantle. It is the + interest of the farmer to protect every great interest in the State. You + should feel proud that Illinois has more railroads than any other State in + this Union. Her main tracks and side tracks would furnish iron enough to + belt the globe. In Illinois there are ten thousand miles of railways. In + these iron highways more than three hundred million dollars have been + invested—a sum equal to ten times the original cost of all the land + in the State. To make war upon the railroads is a short-sighted and + suicidal policy. They should be treated fairly and should be taxed by the + same standard that farms are taxed, and in no other way. If we wish to + prosper we must act together, and we must see to it that every form of + labor is protected. + </p> + <p> + There has been a long period of depression in all business. The farmers + have suffered least of all. Your land is just as rich and productive as + ever. Prices have been reasonable. The towns and cities have suffered. + Stocks and bonds have shrunk from par to worthless paper. Princes have + become paupers, and bankers, merchants and millionaires have passed into + the oblivion of bankruptcy. The period of depression is slowly passing + away, and we are entering upon better times. + </p> + <p> + A great many people say that a scarcity of money is our only difficulty. + In my opinion we have money enough, but we lack confidence in each other + and in the future. + </p> + <p> + There has been so much dishonesty, there have been so many failures, that + the people are afraid to trust anybody. There is plenty of money, but + there seems to be a scarcity of business. If you were to go to the owner + of a ferry, and, upon seeing his boat lying high and dry on the shore, + should say, "There is a superabundance of ferryboat," he would probably + reply, "No, but there is a scarcity of water." So with us there is not a + scarcity of money, but there is a scarcity of business. And this scarcity + springs from lack of confidence in one another. So many presidents of + savings banks, even those belonging to the Young Men's Christian + Association, run off with the funds; so many railroad and insurance + companies are in the hands of receivers; there is so much bankruptcy on + every hand, that all capital is held in the nervous clutch of fear. + Slowly, but surely we are coming back to honest methods in business. + Confidence will return, and then enterprise will unlock the safe and money + will again circulate as of yore; the dollars will leave their hiding + places and every one will be seeking investment. + </p> + <p> + For my part, I do not ask any interference on the part of the Government + except to undo the wrong it has done. I do not ask that money be made out + of nothing. I do not ask for the prosperity born of paper. But I do ask + for the remonetization of silver. Silver was demonetized by fraud. It was + an imposition upon every solvent man; a fraud upon every honest debtor in + the United States. It assassinated labor. It was done in the interest of + avarice and greed, and should be undone by honest men. + </p> + <p> + The farmers should vote only for such men as are able and willing to guard + and advance the interests of labor. We should know better than to vote for + men who will deliberately put a tariff of three dollars a thousand upon + Canada lumber, when every farmer in Illinois is a purchaser of lumber. + People who live upon the prairies ought to vote for cheap lumber. We + should protect ourselves. We ought to have intelligence enough to know + what we want and how to get it. The real laboring men of this country can + succeed if they are united. By laboring men, I do not mean only the + farmers. I mean all who contribute in some way to the general welfare. + They should forget prejudices and party names, and remember only the best + interests of the people. Let us see if we cannot, in Illinois, protect + every department of industry. Let us see if all property cannot be + protected alike and taxed alike, whether owned by individuals or + corporations. + </p> + <p> + Where industry creates and justice protects, prosperity dwells. + </p> + <p> + Let me tell you something more about Illinois. We have fifty-six thousand + square miles of land—nearly thirty-six million acres. Upon these + plains we can raise enough to feed and clothe twenty million people. + Beneath these prairies were hidden millions of ages ago, by that old + miser, the sun, thirty-six thousand square miles of coal. The aggregate + thickness of these veins is at least fifteen feet. Think of a column of + coal one mile square and one hundred miles high! All this came from the + sun. What a sunbeam such a column would be! Think of the engines and + machines this coal will run and turn and whirl! Think of all this force, + willed and left to us by the dead morning of the world! Think of the + firesides of the future around which will sit the fathers, mothers and + children of the years to be! Think of the sweet and happy faces, the + loving and tender eyes that will glow and gleam in the sacred light of all + these flames! + </p> + <p> + We have the best country in the world, and Illinois is the best State in + that country. Is there any reason that our farmers should not be + prosperous and happy men? They have every advantage, and within their + reach are all the comforts and conveniences of life. + </p> + <p> + Do not get the land fever and think you must buy all that joins you. Get + out of debt as soon as you possibly can. A mortgage casts a shadow on the + sunniest field. There is no business under the sun that can pay ten per + cent. + </p> + <p> + Ainsworth R. Spofford gives the following facts about interest: "One + dollar loaned for one hundred years at six per cent., with the interest + collected annually and added to the principal, will amount to three + hundred and forty dollars. At eight per cent, it amounts to two thousand + two hundred and three dollars. At three per cent, it amounts only to + nineteen dollars and twenty-five cents. At ten per cent, it is thirteen + thousand eight hundred and nine dollars, or about seven hundred times as + much. At twelve per cent, it amounts to eighty-four thousand and + seventy-five dollars, or more than four thousand times as much. At + eighteen per cent, it amounts to fifteen million one hundred and + forty-five thousand and seven dollars. At twenty-four per cent, (which we + sometimes hear talked of) it reaches the enormous sum of two billion five + hundred and fifty-one million seven hundred and ninety-nine thousand four + hundred and four dollars." + </p> + <p> + One dollar at compound interest, at twenty-four per cent., for one hundred + years, would produce a sum equal to our national debt. + </p> + <p> + Interest eats night and day, and the more it eats the hungrier it grows. + The farmer in debt, lying awake at night, can, if he listens, hear it + gnaw. If he owes nothing, he can hear his corn grow. Get out of debt as + soon as you possibly can. You have supported idle avarice and lazy economy + long enough. + </p> + <p> + Above all let every farmer treat his wife and children with infinite + kindness. Give your sons and daughters every advantage within your power. + In the air of kindness they will grow about you like flowers. They will + fill your homes with sunshine and all your years with joy. Do not try to + rule by force. A blow from a parent leaves a scar on the soul. I should + feel ashamed to die surrounded by children I had whipped. Think of feeling + upon your dying lips the kiss of a child you had struck. + </p> + <p> + See to it that your wife has every convenience. Make her life worth + living. Never allow her to become a servant. Wives, weary and worn, + mothers, wrinkled and bent before their time, fill homes with grief and + shame. If you are not able to hire help for your wives, help them + yourselves. See that they have the best utensils to work with. + </p> + <p> + Women cannot create things by magic. Have plenty of wood and coal—good + cellars and plenty in them. Have cisterns, so that you can have plenty of + rain water for washing. Do not rely on a barrel and a board. When the rain + comes the board will be lost or the hoops will be off the barrel. + </p> + <p> + Farmers should live like princes. Eat the best things you raise and sell + the rest. Have good things to cook and good things to cook with. Of all + people in our country, you should live the best. Throw your miserable + little stoves out of the window. Get ranges, and have them so built that + your wife need not burn her face off to get you a breakfast. Do not make + her cook in a kitchen hot as the orthodox perdition. The beef, not the + cook, should be roasted. It is just as easy to have things convenient and + right as to have them any other way. + </p> + <p> + Cooking is one of the fine arts. Give your wives and daughters things to + cook, and things to cook with, and they will soon become most excellent + cooks. Good cooking is the basis of civilization. The man whose arteries + and veins are filled with rich blood made of good and well cooked food, + has pluck, courage, endurance and and noble impulses. The inventor of a + good soup did more for his race than the maker of any creed. The doctrines + of total depravity and endless punishment were born of bad cooking and + dyspepsia. Remember that your wife should have the things to cook with. + </p> + <p> + In the good old days there would be eleven children in the family and only + one skillet. Everything was broken or cracked or loaned or lost. + </p> + <p> + There ought to be a law making it a crime, punishable by imprisonment, to + fry beefsteak. Broil it; it is just as easy, and when broiled it is + delicious. Fried beefsteak is not fit for a wild beast. You can broil even + on a stove. Shut the front damper—open the back one—then take + off a griddle. There will then be a draft downwards through this opening. + Put on your steak, using a wire broiler, and not a particle of smoke will + touch it, for the reason that the smoke goes down. If you try to broil it + with the front damper open, the smoke will rise. For broiling, coal, even + soft coal, makes a better fire than wood. + </p> + <p> + There is no reason why farmers should not have fresh meat all the year + round. There is certainly no sense in stuffing yourself full of salt meat + every morning, and making a well or a cistern of your stomach for the rest + of the day. Every farmer should have an ice house. Upon or near every farm + is some stream from which plenty of ice can be obtained, and the long + summer days made delightful. Dr. Draper, one of the world's greatest + scientists, says that ice water is healthy, and that it has done away with + many of the low forms of fever in the great cities. Ice has become one of + the necessaries of civilized life, and without it there is very little + comfort. + </p> + <p> + Make your homes pleasant. Have your houses warm and comfortable for the + winter. Do not build a story-and-a-half house. The half story is simply an + oven in which, during the summer, you will bake every night, and feel in + the morning as though only the rind of yourself was left. + </p> + <p> + Decorate your rooms, even if you do so with cheap engravings. The cheapest + are far better than none. Have books—have papers, and read them. You + have more leisure than the dwellers in cities. Beautify your grounds with + plants and flowers and vines. Have good gardens. Remember that everything + of beauty tends to the elevation of man. Every little morning-glory whose + purple bosom is thrilled with the amorous kisses of the sun, tends to put + a blossom in your heart. Do not judge of the value of everything by the + market reports. Every flower about a house certifies to the refinement of + somebody. Every vine climbing and blossoming, tells of love and joy. + </p> + <p> + Make your houses comfortable. Do not huddle together in a little room + around a red-hot stove, with every window fastened down. Do not live in + this poisoned atmosphere, and then, when one of your children dies, put a + piece in the papers commencing with, "Whereas, it has pleased divine + Providence to remove from our midst—." Have plenty of air, and + plenty of warmth. Comfort is health. Do not imagine anything is unhealthy + simply because it is pleasant. That is an old and foolish idea. + </p> + <p> + Let your children sleep. Do not drag them from their beds in the darkness + of night. Do not compel them to associate all that is tiresome, irksome + and dreadful with cultivating the soil. In this way you bring farming into + hatred and disrepute. Treat your children with infinite kindness—treat + them as equals. There is no happiness in a home not filled with love. + Where the husband hates his wife—where the wife hates the husband; + where children hate their parents and each other—there is a hell + upon earth. + </p> + <p> + There is no reason why farmers should not be the kindest and most + cultivated of men. There is nothing in plowing the fields to make men + cross, cruel and crabbed. To look upon the sunny slopes covered with + daisies does not tend to make men unjust. Whoever labors for the happiness + of those he loves, elevates himself, no matter whether he works in the + dark and dreary shops, or in the perfumed fields. To work for others is, + in reality, the only way in which a man can work for himself. Selfishness + is ignorance. Speculators cannot make unless somebody loses. In the realm + of speculation, every success has at least one victim. The harvest reaped + by the farmer benefits all and injures none. For him to succeed, it is not + necessary that some one should fail. The same is true of all producers—of + all laborers. + </p> + <p> + I can imagine no condition that carries with it such a promise of joy as + that of the farmer in the early winter. He has his cellar filled—he + has made every preparation for the days of snow and storm—he looks + forward to three months of ease and rest; to three months of + fireside-content; three months with wife and children; three months of + long, delightful evenings; three months of home; three months of solid + comfort. + </p> + <p> + When the life of the farmer is such as I have described, the cities and + towns will not be filled with want—the streets will not be crowded + with wrecked rogues, broken bankers, and bankrupt speculators. The fields + will be tilled, and country villages, almost hidden by trees and vines and + flowers, filled with industrious and happy people, will nestle in every + vale and gleam like gems on every plain. + </p> + <p> + The idea must be done away with that there is something intellectually + degrading in cultivating the soil. Nothing can be nobler than to be + useful. Idleness should not be respectable. + </p> + <p> + If farmers will cultivate well, and without waste; if they will so build + that their houses will be warm in winter and cool in summer; if they will + plant trees and beautify their homes; if they will occupy their leisure in + reading, in thinking, in improving their minds and in devising ways and + means to make their business profitable and pleasant; if they will live + nearer together and cultivate sociability; if they will come together + often; if they will have reading rooms and cultivate music; if they will + have bath-rooms, ice-houses and good gardens; if their wives can have an + easy time; if their sons and daughters can have an opportunity to keep in + line with the thoughts and discoveries of the world; if the nights can be + taken for sleep and the evenings for enjoyment, everybody will be in love + with the fields. Happiness should be the object of life, and if life on + the farm can be made really happy, the children will grow up in love with + the meadows, the streams, the woods and the old home. Around the farm will + cling and cluster the happy memories of the delighful years. + </p> + <p> + Remember, I pray you, that you are in partnership with all labor—that + you should join hands with all the sons and daughters of toil, and that + all who work belong to the same noble family. + </p> + <p> + For my part, I envy the man who has lived on the same broad acres from his + boyhood, who cultivates the fields where in youth he played, and lives + where his father lived and died. + </p> + <p> + I can imagine no sweeter way to end one's life + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0014" id="link0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + WHAT MUST WE DO TO BE SAVED? + </h2> + <p> + <a name="linkPREF" id="linkPREF"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + PREFACE + </h2> + <p> + If what is known as the Christian Religion is true, nothing can be more + wonderful than the fact that Matthew, Mark and Luke say nothing about + "salvation by faith;" that they do not even hint at the doctrine of the + atonement, and are as silent as empty tombs as to the necessity of + believing anything to secure happiness in this world or another. + </p> + <p> + For a good many years it has been claimed that the writers of these + gospels knew something about the teachings of Christ, and had, at least, a + general knowledge of the conditions of salvation. It now seems to be + substantiated that the early Christians did not place implicit confidence + in the gospels, and did not hesitate to make such changes and additions as + they thought proper. Such changes and additions are about the only + passages in the New Testament that the Evangelical Churches now consider + sacred. That portion of the last chapter of Mark, in which unbelievers are + so cheerfully and promptly damned, has been shown to be an interpolation, + and it is asserted that in the revised edition of the New Testament, soon + to be issued, the infamous passages will not appear. With these expunged, + there is not one word in Matthew, Mark, or Luke, even tending to show that + belief in Christ has, or can have, any effect upon the destiny of the + soul. + </p> + <p> + The four gospels are the four corner-stones upon which rests the fabric of + orthodox Christianity. Three of these stones have crumbled, and the fourth + is not likely to outlast this generation. The gospel of John cannot alone + uphold the infinite absurdity of vicarious virtue and vice, and it cannot, + without the aid of "interpolation," sustain the illogical and immoral + dogma of salvation by faith. These frightful doctrines must be abandoned; + the miraculous must be given up, the wonderful stories must be expunged, + and from the creed of noble deeds the forgeries of superstition must be + blotted out. From the temple of Morality and Truth—from the great + windows towards the sun—the parasitic and poisonous vines of faith + and fable must be torn. + </p> + <p> + The church will be compelled at last to rest its case, not upon the + wonders Christ is said to have performed, but upon the system of morality + he taught. All the miracles, including the resurrection and ascension, + are, when compared with portions of the "Sermon on the Mount," but dust + and darkness. + </p> + <p> + The careful reader of the New Testament will find three Christs described:—One + who wished to preserve Judaism—one who wished to reform it, and one + who built a system of his own. The apostles and their disciples, utterly + unable to comprehend a religion that did away with sacrifices, churches, + priests, and creeds, constructed a Christianity for themselves, so that + the orthodox churches of to-day rest—first, upon what Christ + endeavored to destroy—second, upon what he never said, and, third, + upon a misunderstanding of what he did say. + </p> + <p> + If a certain belief is necessary to insure the salvation of the soul, the + church ought to explain, and without any unnecessary delay, why such an + infinitely important fact was utterly ignored by Matthew, Mark and Luke. + There are only two explanations possible. Either belief is unnecessary, or + the writers of these three gospels did not understand the Christian + system. The "sacredness" of the subject cannot longer hide the absurdity + of the "scheme of salvation," nor the failure of Matthew, Mark and Luke to + mention, what is now claimed to have been, the entire mission of Christ. + The church must take from the New Testament the supernatural'; the idea + that an intellectual conviction can subject an honest man to eternal pain—the + awful doctrine that the innocent can justly suffer for the guilty, and + allow the remainder to be discussed, denied or believed without punishment + and without reward. No one will object to the preaching of kindness, + honesty and justice. To preach less is a crime, and to practice more is + impossible. + </p> + <p> + There is one thing that ought to be again impressed upon the average + theologian, and that is the utter futility of trying to answer arguments + with personal abuse. It should be understood once for all that these + questions are in no sense personal. If it should turn out that all the + professed Christians in the world are sinless saints, the question of how + Matthew, Mark, and Luke, came to say nothing about the atonement and the + scheme of salvation by faith, would still be asked. And if it should then + be shown that all the doubters, deists, and atheists, are vile and vicious + wretches, the question still would wait for a reply. + </p> + <p> + The origin of all religions, creeds, and sacred books, is substantially + the same, and the history of one, is, in the main, the history of all. + Thus far these religions have been the mistaken explanations of our + surroundings. The appearances of nature have imposed upon the ignorance + and fear of man. But back of all honest creeds was, and is, the desire to + know, to understand, and to explain, and that desire will, as I most + fervently hope and earnestly believe, be gratified at last by the + discovery of the truth. Until then, let us bear with the theories, hopes, + dreams, mistakes, and honest thoughts of all. + </p> + <p> + Robert G. Ingersoll. + </p> + <p> + Washington, D. C., + </p> + <p> + October, 1880. + </p> + <p> + WHAT MUST WE DO TO BE SAVED? + </p> + <p> + "THE NUREMBERG MAN WAS OPERATED BY A COMBINATION OF PIPES AND LEVERS, AND + THOUGH HE COULD BREATHE AND DIGEST PERFECTLY, AND EVEN REASON AS WELL AS + MOST THEOLOGIANS, WAS MADE OF NOTHING BUT WOOD AND LEATHER." + </p> + <p> + THE whole world has been filled with fear. + </p> + <p> + Ignorance has been the refuge of the soul. For thousands of years the + intellectual ocean was ravaged by the buccaneers of reason. Pious souls + clung to the shore and looked at the lighthouse. The seas were filled with + monsters and the islands with sirens. The people were driven in the middle + of a narrow road while priests went before, beating the hedges on either + side to frighten the robbers from their lairs. The poor followers seeing + no robbers, thanked their brave leaders with all their hearts. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0016" id="link0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + I. WHAT WE MUST DO TO BE SAVED + </h2> + <p> + Huddled in folds they listened with wide eyes while the shepherds told of + ravening wolves. With great gladness they exchanged their fleeces for + security. Shorn and shivering, they had the happiness of seeing their + protectors comfortable and warm. + </p> + <p> + Through all the years, those who plowed divided with those who prayed. + Wicked industry supported pious idleness, the hut gave to the cathedral, + and frightened poverty gave even its rags to buy a robe for hypocrisy. + </p> + <p> + Fear is the dungeon of the mind, and superstition is a dagger with which + hypocrisy assassinates the soul. Courage is liberty. I am in favor of + absolute freedom of thought. In the realm of mind every one is monarch; + every one is robed, sceptered, and crowned, and every one wears the purple + of authority. I belong to the republic of intellectual liberty, and only + those are good citizens of that republic who depend upon reason and upon + persuasion, and only those are traitors who resort to brute force. + </p> + <p> + Now, I beg of you all to forget just for a few moments that you are + Methodists or Baptists or Catholics or Presbyterians, and let us for an + hour or two remember only that we are men and women. And allow me to say + "man" and "woman" are the highest titles that can be bestowed upon + humanity. + </p> + <p> + Let us, if possible, banish all fear from the mind. Do not imagine that + there is some being in the infinite expanse who is not willing that every + man and woman should think for himself and herself. Do not imagine that + there is any being who would give to his children the holy torch of + reason, and then damn them for following that sacred light. Let us have + courage. + </p> + <p> + Priests have invented a crime called "blasphemy," and behind that crime + hypocrisy has crouched for thousands of years. There is but one blasphemy, + and that is injustice. There is but one worship, and that is justice! + </p> + <p> + You need not fear the anger of a god that you cannot injure. Rather fear + to injure your fellow-men. Do not be afraid of a crime you can not commit. + Rather be afraid of the one that you may commit. The reason that you + cannot injure God is that the Infinite is conditionless. You cannot + increase or diminish the happiness of any being without changing that + being's condition. If God is conditionless, you can neither injure nor + benefit him. + </p> + <p> + There was a Jewish gentleman went into a restaurant to get his dinner, and + the devil of temptation whispered in his ear: "Eat some bacon." He knew if + there was anything in the universe calculated to excite the wrath of an + infinite being, who made every shining star, it was to see a gentleman + eating bacon. He knew it, and he knew the infinite being was looking, that + he was the eternal eavesdropper of the universe. But his appetite got the + better of his conscience, as it often has with us all, and he ate that + bacon. He knew it was wrong, and his conscience felt the blood of shame in + its cheek. When he went into that restaurant the weather was delightful, + the sky was as blue as June, and when he came out the sky was covered with + angry clouds, the lightning leaping from one to the other, and the earth + shaking beneath the voice of the thunder. He went back into that + restaurant with a face as white as milk, and he said to one of the + keepers: + </p> + <p> + "My God, did you ever hear such a fuss about a little piece of bacon?" + </p> + <p> + As long as we harbor such opinions of infinity; as long as we imagine the + heavens to be filled with such tyranny, just so long the sons of men will + be cringing, intellectual cowards. Let us think, and let us honestly + express our thought. + </p> + <p> + Do not imagine for a moment that I think people who disagree with me are + bad people. I admit, and I cheerfully admit, that a very large proportion + of mankind, and a very large majority, a vast number are reasonably + honest. I believe that most Christians believe what they teach; that most + ministers are endeavoring to make this world better. I do not pretend to + be better than they are. It is an intellectual question. It is a question, + first, of intellectual liberty, and after that, a question to be settled + at the bar of human reason. I do not pretend to be better than they are. + Probably I am a good deal worse than many of them, but that is not the + question. The question is: Bad as I am, have I the right to think? And I + think I have for two reasons: First, I cannot help it. And secondly, I + like it. The whole question is right at a point. If I have not a right to + express my thoughts, who has? + </p> + <p> + "Oh," they say, "we will allow you to think, we will not burn you." + </p> + <p> + "All right; why won't you burn me?" + </p> + <p> + "Because we think a decent man will allow others to think and to express + his thought." + </p> + <p> + "Then the reason you do not persecute me for my thought is that you + believe it would be infamous in you?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes." + </p> + <p> + "And yet you worship a God who will, as you declare, punish me forever?" + </p> + <p> + Surely an infinite God ought to be as just as man. Surely no God can have + the right to punish his children for being honest. He should not reward + hypocrisy with heaven, and punish candor with eternal pain. + </p> + <p> + The next question then is: Can I commit a sin against God by thinking? If + God did not intend I should think, why did he give me a thinker? For one, + I am convinced, not only that I have the right to think, but that it is my + duty to express my honest thoughts. Whatever the gods may say we must be + true to ourselves. + </p> + <p> + We have got what they call the Christian system of religion, and thousands + of people wonder how I can be wicked enough to attack that system. + </p> + <p> + There are many good things about it, and I shall never attack anything + that I believe to be good! I shall never fear to attack anything I + honestly believe to be wrong! We have what they call the Christian + religion, and I find, just in proportion that nations have been religious, + just in the proportion they have clung to the religion of their founders, + they have gone back to barbarism. I find that Spain, Portugal, Italy, are + the three worst nations in Europe. I find that the nation nearest infidel + is the most prosperous—France. + </p> + <p> + And so I say there can be no danger in the exercise of absolute + intellectual freedom. I find among ourselves the men who think are at + least as good as those who do not. + </p> + <p> + We have, I say, a Christian system, and that system is founded upon what + they are pleased to call the "New Testament." Who wrote the New Testament? + I do not know. Who does know? Nobody. We have found many manuscripts + containing portions of the New Testament. Some of these manuscripts leave + out five or six books—many of them. Others more; others less. No two + of these manuscripts agree. Nobody knows who wrote these manuscripts. They + are all written in Greek. The disciples of Christ, so far as we know, knew + only Hebrew. Nobody ever saw so far as we know, one of the original Hebrew + manuscripts. + </p> + <p> + Nobody ever saw anybody who had seen anybody who had heard of anybody that + had ever seen anybody that had ever seen one of the original Hebrew + manuscripts. No doubt the clergy of your city have told you these facts + thousands of times, and they will be obliged to me for having repeated + them once more. These manuscripts are written in what are called capital + Greek letters. They are called Uncial manuscripts, and the New Testament + was not divided into chapters and verses, even, until the year of grace + 1551. In the original the manuscripts and gospels are signed by nobody. + The epistles are addressed to nobody; and they are signed by the same + person. All the addresses, all the pretended ear-marks showing to whom + they were written, and by whom they were written, are simply + interpolations, and everybody who has studied the subject knows it. + </p> + <p> + It is further admitted that even these manuscripts have not been properly + translated, and they have a syndicate now making a new translation; and I + suppose that I can not tell whether I really believe the New Testament or + not until I see that new translation. + </p> + <p> + You must remember, also, one other thing. Christ never wrote a solitary + word of the New Testament—not one word. There is an account that he + once stooped and wrote something in the sand, but that has not been + preserved. He never told anybody to write a word. He never said: "Matthew, + remember this. Mark, do not forget to put that down. Luke, be sure that in + your gospel you have this. John, do not forget it." Not one word. And it + has always seemed to me that a being coming from another world, with a + message of infinite importance to mankind, should at least have verified + that message by his own signature. Is it not wonderful that not one word + was written by Christ? Is it not strange that he gave no orders to have + his words preserved—words upon which hung the salvation of a world? + </p> + <p> + Why was nothing written? I will tell you. In my judgment they expected the + end of the world in a few days. That generation was not to pass away until + the heavens should be rolled up as a scroll, and until the earth should + melt with fervent heat. That was their belief. They believed that the + world was to be destroyed, and that there was to be another coming, and + that the saints were then to govern the earth. And they even went so far + among the apostles, as we frequently do now before election, as to divide + out the offices in advance. This Testament, as it now is, was not written + for hundreds of years after the apostles were dust. Many of the pretended + facts lived in the open mouth of credulity. They were in the wastebaskets + of forgetfulness. They depended upon the inaccuracy of legend, and for + centuries these doctrines and stories were blown about by the inconstant + winds. And when reduced to writing, some gentleman would write by the side + of the passage his idea of it, and the next copyist would put that in as a + part of the text. And, when it was mostly written, and the church got into + trouble, and wanted a passage to help it out, one was interpolated to + order. So that now it is among the easiest things in the world to pick out + at least one hundred interpolations in the Testament. And I will pick some + of them out before I get through. + </p> + <p> + And let me say here, once for all, that for the man Christ I have infinite + respect. Let me say, once for all, that the place where man has died for + man is holy ground. And let me say, once for all, that to that great and + serene man I gladly pay, I gladly pay, the tribute of my admiration and my + tears. He was a reformer in his day. He was an infidel in his time. He was + regarded as a blasphemer, and his life was destroyed by hypocrites, who + have, in all ages, done what they could to trample freedom and manhood out + of the human mind. Had I lived at that time I would have been his friend, + and should he come again he will not find a better friend than I will be. + </p> + <p> + That is for the man. For the theological creation I have a different + feeling. If he was, in fact, God, he knew there was no such thing as + death. He knew that what we called death was but the eternal opening of + the golden gates of everlasting joy; and it took no heroism to face a + death that was eternal life. + </p> + <p> + But when a man, when a poor boy sixteen years of age, goes upon the field + of battle to keep his flag in heaven, not knowing but that death ends all; + not knowing but that when the shadows creep over him, the darkness will be + eternal, there is heroism. For the man who, in the darkness, said: "My + God, why hast thou forsaken me?"—for that man I have nothing but + respect, admiration, and love. Back of the theological shreds, rags, and + patches, hiding the real Christ, I see a genuine man. + </p> + <p> + A while ago I made up my mind to find out what was necessary for me to do + in order to be saved. If I have got a soul, I want it saved. I do not wish + to lose anything that is of value. + </p> + <p> + For thousands of years the world has been asking that question: + </p> + <p> + "What must we do to be saved?" + </p> + <p> + Saved from poverty? No. Saved from crime? No. Tyranny? No. But "What must + we do to be saved from the eternal wrath of the God who made us all?" + </p> + <p> + If God made us, he will not destroy us. Infinite wisdom never made a poor + investment. Upon all the works of an infinite God, a dividend must finally + be declared. Why should God make failures? Why should he waste material? + Why should he not correct his mistakes, instead of damning them? The + pulpit has cast a shadow over even the cradle. The doctrine of endless + punishment has covered the cheeks of this world with tears. I despise it, + and I defy it. + </p> + <p> + I made up my mind, I say, to see what I had to do in order to save my soul + according to the Testament, and thereupon I read it. I read the gospels, + Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, and found that the church had been + deceiving me. I found that the clergy did not understand their own book; + that they had been building upon passages that had been interpolated; upon + passages that were entirely untrue, and I will tell you why I think so. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0017" id="link0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + II. THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW + </h2> + <p> + ACCORDING to the church, the first gospel was written by Matthew. As a + matter of fact he never wrote a word of it—never saw it, never heard + of it and probably never will. But for the purposes of this lecture I + admit that he wrote years; that he was his constant companion; that he + shared his sorrows and his triumphs; that he heard his words by the lonely + lakes, the barren hills, in synagogue and street, and that he knew his + heart and became acquainted with his thoughts and aims. + </p> + <p> + Now let us see what Matthew says we must do in order to be saved. And I + take it that, if this is true, Matthew is as good authority as any + minister in the world. + </p> + <p> + I will admit that he was with Christ for three years. + </p> + <p> + The first thing I find upon the subject of salvation is in the fifth + chapter of Matthew, and is embraced in what is commonly known as the + Sermon on the Mount. It is as follows: + </p> + <p> + "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." + Good! + </p> + <p> + "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." Good! Whether + they belonged to any church or not; whether they believed the Bible or + not? + </p> + <p> + "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." Good! + </p> + <p> + "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the + peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are + they which are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the + kingdom of heaven." Good! + </p> + <p> + In the same sermon he says: "Think not that I am come to destroy the law + or the prophets. I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill." And then he + makes use of this remarkable language, almost as applicable to-day as it + was then: "For I say unto you that except your righteousness shall exceed + the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees ye shall in no wise enter + into the kingdom of heaven." Good! + </p> + <p> + In the sixth chapter I find the following, and it comes directly after the + prayer known as the Lord's prayer: + </p> + <p> + "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also + forgive you; but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your + father forgive your trespasses." + </p> + <p> + I accept the condition. There is an offer; I accept it. If you will + forgive men that trespass against you, God will forgive your trespasses + against him. I accept the terms, and I never will ask any God to treat me + better than I treat my fellow-men. There is a square promise. There is a + contract. If you will forgive others God will forgive you. And it does not + say you must believe in the Old Testament, or be baptized, or join the + church, or keep Sunday; that you must count beads, or pray, or become a + nun, or a priest; that you must preach sermons or hear them, build + churches or fill them. Not one word is said about eating or fasting, + denying or believing. It simply says, if you forgive others God will + forgive you; and it must of necessity be true. No god could afford to damn + a forgiving man. Suppose God should damn to everlasting fire a man so + great and good, that he, looking from the abyss of hell, would forgive + God,—how would a god feel then? + </p> + <p> + Now let me make myself plain upon one subject, perfectly plain. For + instance, I hate Presbyterianism, but I know hundreds of splendid + Presbyterians. Understand me. I hate Methodism, and yet I know hundreds of + splendid Methodists. I hate Catholicism, and like Catholics. I hate + insanity but not the insane. + </p> + <p> + I do not war against men. I do not war against persons. I war against + certain doctrines that I believe to be wrong. But I give to every other + human being every right that I claim for myself. + </p> + <p> + The next thing that I find is in the seventh chapter and the second verse: + "For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what + measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." Good! That suits me! + </p> + <p> + And in the twelfth chapter of Matthew: "For whosoever shall do the will of + my Father that is in heaven, the same is my brother and sister and mother. + For the son of man shall come in the glory of his father with his angels, + and then he shall reward every man according.... To the church he belongs + to? No. To the manner in which he was baptized? No. According to his + creed? No. Then he shall reward every man according to his works." Good! I + subscribe to that doctrine. + </p> + <p> + And in the eighteenth chapter: "And Jesus called a little child to him and + stood him in the midst; and said, 'Verily I say unto you, except ye be + converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the + kingdom of heaven.'" I do not wonder that in his day, surrounded by + scribes and Pharisees, he turned lovingly to little children. + </p> + <p> + And yet, see what children the little children of God have been. What an + interesting dimpled darling John Calvin was. Think of that prattling babe, + Jonathan Edwards! Think of the infants that founded the Inquisition, that + invented instruments of torture to tear human flesh. They were the ones + who had become as little children. They were the children of faith. + </p> + <p> + So I find in the nineteenth chapter: "And behold, one came and said unto + him: 'Good master, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal + life?' And he said unto him, 'Why callest thou me good? There is none good + but one, that is God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the + commandments.' He saith unto him, 'which?'" + </p> + <p> + Now, there is a fair issue. Here is a child of God asking God what is + necessary for him to do in order to inherit eternal life. And God said to + him: Keep the commandments. And the child said to the Almighty: "Which?" + Now, if there ever has been an opportunity given to the Almighty to + furnish a man of an inquiring mind with the necessary information upon + that subject, here was the opportunity. "He said unto him, which? And + Jesus said: Thou shalt do no murder; thou shalt not commit adultery; thou + shalt not steal; thou shalt not bear false witness; honor thy father and + mother; and thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." + </p> + <p> + He did not say to him: "You must believe in me—that I am the only + begotten son of the living God." He did not say: "You must be born again." + He did not say: "You must believe the Bible." He did not say: "You must + remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy." He simply said: "Thou shalt do + no murder. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal. Thou + shalt not bear false witness. Honor thy father and thy mother; and thou + shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." And thereupon the young man, who I + think was mistaken, said unto him: "All these things have I kept from my + youth up." + </p> + <p> + What right has the church to add conditions of salvation? Why should we + suppose that Christ failed to tell the young man all that was necessary + for him to do? Is it possible that he left out some important thing simply + to mislead? Will some minister tell us why he thinks that Christ kept back + the "scheme"? + </p> + <p> + Now comes an interpolation. + </p> + <p> + In the old times when the church got a little scarce of money, they always + put in a passage praising poverty. So they had this young man ask: "What + lack I yet? And Jesus said unto him: If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell + that thou hast and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in + heaven." + </p> + <p> + The church has always been willing to swap off treasures in heaven for + cash down. And when the next verse was written the church must have been + nearly bankrupt. "And again I say unto you, it is easier for a camel to go + through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom + of God." Did you ever know a wealthy disciple to unload on account of that + verse? + </p> + <p> + And then comes another verse, which I believe is an interpolation: "And + everyone that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or + mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive + an hundred fold, and shall inherit everlasting life." + </p> + <p> + Christ never said it. Never. "Whosoever shall forsake father and mother." + </p> + <p> + Why, he said to this man that asked him, "What shall I do to inherit + eternal life?" among other things, he said: "Honor thy father and thy + mother." And we turn over the page and he says again: "If you will desert + your father and mother you shall have everlasting life." It will not do. + If you will desert your wife and your little children, or your lands—the + idea of putting a house and lot on equality with wife and children! Think + of that! I do not accept the terms. I will never desert the one I love for + the promise of any god. + </p> + <p> + It is far more important to love your wife than to love God, and I will + tell you why. You cannot help him, but you can help her. You can fill her + life with the perfume of perpetual joy. It is far more important that you + love your children than that you love Jesus Christ. And why? If he is God + you cannot help him, but you can plant a little flower of happiness in + every footstep of the child, from the cradle until you die in that child's + arms. Let me tell you to-day it is far more important to build a home than + to erect a church. The holiest temple beneath the stars is a home that + love has built. And the holiest altar in all the wide world is the + fireside around which gather father and mother and the sweet babes. + </p> + <p> + There was a time when people believed the infamy commanded in this + frightful passage. There was a time when they did desert fathers and + mothers and wives and children. St. Augustine says to the devotee: Fly to + the desert, and though your wife put her arms around your neck, tear her + hands away; she is a temptation of the devil. Though your father and + mother throw their bodies athwart your threshold, step over them; and + though your children pursue, and with weeping' eyes beseech you to return, + listen not. It is the temptation of the evil one. Fly to the desert and + save your soul. Think of such a soul being worth saving. While I live I + propose to stand by the ones I love. + </p> + <p> + There is another condition of salvation. I find it in the twenty-fifth + chapter: "Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye + blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the + foundation of the world. For I was an hungered and ye gave me meat; I was + thirsty and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger and ye took me in; naked + and ye clothed me; I was sick and ye visited me; I was in prison and ye + came unto me." Good! + </p> + <p> + I tell you to-night that God will not punish with eternal thirst the man + who has put the cup of cold water to the lips of his neighbor. God will + not leave in the eternal nakedness of pain the man who has clothed his + fellow-men. + </p> + <p> + For instance, here is a shipwreck, and here is some brave sailor who + stands aside and allows a woman whom he never saw before to take his place + in the boat, and he stands there, grand and serene as the wide sea, and he + goes down. Do you tell me that there is any God who will push the lifeboat + from the shore of eternal life, when that man wishes to step in? Do you + tell me that God can be unpitying to the pitiful, that he can be + unforgiving to the forgiving? I deny it; and from the aspersions of the + pulpit I seek to rescue the reputation of the Deity. + </p> + <p> + Now, I have read you substantially everything in Matthew on the subject of + salvation. That is all there is. Not one word about believing anything. It + is the gospel of deed, the gospel of charity, the gospel of self-denial; + and if only that gospel had been preached, persecution never would have + shed one drop of blood. Not one. + </p> + <p> + According to the testimony Matthew was well acquainted with Christ. + According to the testimony, he had been with him, and his companion for + years, and if it was necessary to believe anything in order to get to + heaven, Matthew should have told us. But he forgot it, or he did not + believe it, or he never heard of it. You can take your choice. + </p> + <p> + In Matthew, we find that heaven is promised, first, to the poor in spirit. + Second, to the merciful. Third, to the pure in heart. Fourth, to the + peacemakers. Fifth, to those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake. + Sixth, to those who keep and teach the commandments. Seventh, to those who + forgive men that trespass against them. Eighth, that we will be judged as + we judge others. Ninth, that they who receive prophets and righteous men + shall receive a prophet's reward. Tenth, to those who do the will of God. + Eleventh, that every man shall be rewarded according to his works. + Twelfth, to those who become as little children. Thirteenth, to those who + forgive the trespasses of others. Fourteenth, to the perfect: they who + sell all that they have and give to the poor. Fifteenth, to them who + forsake houses, and brethren, and sisters, and father, and mother, and + wife, and children, and lands for the sake of Christ's name. Sixteenth, to + those who feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, shelter to the + stranger, clothes to the naked, comfort to the sick, and who visit the + prisoner. + </p> + <p> + Nothing else is said with regard to salvation in the gospel according to + St. Matthew. Not one word about believing the Old Testament to have been + inspired; not one word about being baptized or joining a church; not one + word about believing in any miracle; not even a hint that it was necessary + to believe that Christ was the son of God, or that he did any wonderful or + miraculous things, or that he was born of a virgin, or that his coming had + been foretold by the Jewish prophets. Not one word about believing in the + Trinity, or in foreordination or predestination. Matthew had not + understood from Christ that any such things were necessary to ensure the + salvation of the soul. + </p> + <p> + According to the testimony, Matthew had been in the company of Christ, + some say three years and some say one, but at least he had been with him + long enough to find out some of his ideas upon this great subject. And yet + Matthew never got the impression that it was necessary to believe + something in order to get to heaven. He supposed that if a man forgave + others God would forgive him; he believed that God would show mercy to the + merciful; that he would not allow those who fed the hungry to starve; that + he would not put in the flames of hell those who had given cold water to + the thirsty; that he would not cast into the eternal dungeon of his wrath + those who had visited the imprisoned; and that he would not damn men who + forgave others. + </p> + <p> + Matthew had it in his mind that God would treat us very much as we treated + other people; and that in the next world he would treat with kindness + those who had been loving and gentle in their lives. It may be the apostle + was mistaken; but evidently that was his opinion. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0018" id="link0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + III. THE GOSPEL OF MARK + </h2> + <p> + ET us now see what Mark thought it necessary for a man to do to save his + soul. In the fourth chapter, after Jesus had given to the multitude by the + sea the parable of the sower, his disciples, when they were again alone, + asked him the meaning of the parable. Jesus replied: + </p> + <p> + "Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto + them that are without, all these things are done in parables: + </p> + <p> + "That seeing, they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, + and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their + sins should be forgiven them." + </p> + <p> + It is a little hard to understand why he should have preached to people + that he did not intend should know his meaning. Neither is it quite clear + why he objected to their being converted. This, I suppose, is one of the + mysteries that we should simply believe without endeavoring to comprehend. + </p> + <p> + With the above exception, and one other that I will mention hereafter, + Mark substantially agrees with Matthew, and says that God will be merciful + to the merciful, that he will be kind to the kind, that he will pity the + pitying, and love the loving. Mark upholds the religion of Matthew until + we come to the fifteenth and sixteenth verses of the sixteenth chapter, + and then I strike an interpolation put in by hypocrisy, put in by priests + who longed to grasp with bloody hands the sceptre of universal power. Let + me read it to you. It is the most infamous passage in the Bible. Christ + never said it. No sensible man ever said it. + </p> + <p> + "And He said unto them" (that is, unto his disciples), "go ye into all the + world and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is + baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." + </p> + <p> + That passage was written so that fear would give alms to hypocrisy. Now, I + propose to prove to you that this is an interpolation. How will I do it? + In the first place, not one word is said about belief, in Matthew. In the + next place, not one word about belief, in Mark, until I come to that + verse, and where is that said to have been spoken? According to Mark, it + is a part of the last conversation of Jesus Christ,—just before, + according to the account, he ascended bodily before their eyes. If there + ever was any important thing happened in this world that was it. If there + is any conversation that people would be apt to recollect, it would be the + last conversation with a god before he rose visibly through the air and + seated himself upon the throne of the infinite. We have in this Testament + five accounts of the last conversation happening between Jesus Christ and + his apostles. Matthew gives it, and yet Matthew does not state that in + that conversation Christ said: "Whoso believeth and is baptized shall be + saved, and whoso believeth not shall be damned." And if he did say those + words they were the most important that ever fell from lips. Matthew did + not hear it, or did not believe it, or forgot it. + </p> + <p> + Then I turn to Luke, and he gives an account of this same last + conversation, and not one word does he say upon that subject. Luke does + not pretend that Christ said that whoso believeth not shall be damned. + Luke certainly did not hear it. May be he forgot it. Perhaps he did not + think that it was worth recording. Now, it is the most important thing, if + Christ said it, that he ever said. + </p> + <p> + Then I turn to John, and he gives an account of the last conversation, but + not one solitary word on the subject of belief or unbelief. Not one + solitary word on the subject of damnation. Not one. John might not have + been listening. + </p> + <p> + Then I turn to the first chapter of the Acts, and there I find an account + of the last conversation; and in that conversation there is not one word + upon this subject. This is a demonstration that the passage in Mark is an + interpolation. What other reason have I got? There is not one particle of + sense in it. Why? No man can control his belief. You hear evidence for and + against, and the integrity of the soul stands at the scales and tells + which side rises and which side falls. You can not believe as you wish. + You must believe as you must. And he might as well have said: "Go into the + world and preach the gospel, and whosoever has red hair shall be saved, + and whosoever hath not shall be damned." + </p> + <p> + I have another reason. I am much obliged to the gentleman who interpolated + these passages. I am much obliged to him that he put in some more—two + more. Now hear: + </p> + <p> + "And these signs shall follow them that believe." Good! + </p> + <p> + "In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; + they shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing it shall + not hurt them. They shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover." + </p> + <p> + Bring on your believer! Let him cast out a devil. I do not ask for a large + one. Just a little one for a cent. Let him take up serpents. "And if they + drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them." Let me mix up a dose for + the believer, and if it does not hurt him I will join a church. "Oh! but," + they say, "those things only lasted through the Apostolic age." Let us + see. "Go into all the world and preach the gospel, and whosoever believes + and is baptized shall be saved, and these signs shall follow them that + believe." + </p> + <p> + How long? I think at least until they had gone into all the world. + Certainly those signs should follow until all the world had been visited. + And yet if that declaration was in the mouth of Christ, he then knew that + one-half of the world was unknown, and that he would be dead fourteen + hundred and fifty-nine years before his disciples would know that there + was another continent. And yet he said, "Go into all the world and preach + the gospel," and he knew then that it would be fourteen hundred and + fifty-nine years before anybody could go. Well, if it was worth while to + have signs follow believers in the Old World, surely it was worth while to + have signs follow believers in the New. And the very reason that signs + should follow would be to convince the unbeliever, and there are as many + unbelievers now as ever, and the signs are as necessary to-day as they + ever were. I would like a few myself. + </p> + <p> + This frightful declaration, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be + saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned," has filled the world + with agony and crime. Every letter of this passage has been sword and + fagot; every word has been dungeon and chain. That passage made the sword + of persecution drip with innocent blood through centuries of agony and + crime. That passage made the horizon of a thousand years lurid with the + fagot's flames. That passage contradicts the Sermon on the Mount; + travesties the Lord's prayer; turns the splendid religion of deed and duty + into the superstition of creed and cruelty. I deny it. It is infamous! + Christ never said it! + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0019" id="link0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + IV. THE GOSPEL OF LUKE. + </h2> + <p> + IT is sufficient to say that Luke agrees substantially with Matthew and + Mark. + </p> + <p> + "Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful." Good! + </p> + <p> + "Judge not and ye shall not be judged: condemn not and ye shall not be + condemned: forgive and ye shall be forgiven." Good! + </p> + <p> + "Give and it shall be given unto you: good measure, pressed down, and + shaken together, and running over." Good! I like it. + </p> + <p> + "For with the same measure that ye mete withal, it shall be measured to + you again." + </p> + <p> + He agrees substantially with Mark; he agrees substantially with Matthew; + and I come at last to the nineteenth chapter. + </p> + <p> + "And Zaccheus stood and said unto the Lord, 'Behold, Lord, the half of my + goods I give to the poor, and if I have taken anything from any man by + false accusation, I restore him four fold.' And Jesus said unto him, 'this + day is salvation come to this house.'" + </p> + <p> + That is good doctrine. He did not ask Zaccheus what he believed. He did + not ask him, "Do you believe in the Bible? Do you believe in the five + points? Have you ever been baptized—sprinkled? Or immersed?" "Half + of my goods I give to the poor, and if I have taken anything from any man + by false accusation, I restore him four fold." "And Christ said, this day + is salvation come to this house." Good! + </p> + <p> + I read also in Luke that Christ when upon the cross forgave his murderers, + and that is considered the shining gem in the crown of his mercy. He + forgave his murderers. He forgave the men who drove the nails in his + hands, in his feet, that plunged a spear in his side; the soldier that in + the hour of death offered him in mockery the bitterness to drink. He + forgave them all freely, and yet, although he would forgive them, he will + in the nineteenth century, as we are told by the orthodox church, damn to + eternal fire a noble man for the expression of his honest thoughts. That + will not do. I find, too, in Luke, an account of two thieves that were + crucified at the same time. The other gospels speak of them. One says they + both railed upon him. Another says nothing about it. In Luke we are told + that one railed upon him, but one of the thieves looked and pitied Christ, + and Christ said to that thief: + </p> + <p> + "To-day shalt thou be with me in Paradise." Why did he say that? Because + the thief pitied him. God can not afford to trample beneath the feet of + his infinite wrath the smallest blossom of pity that ever shed its perfume + in the human heart! + </p> + <p> + Who was this thief? To what church did he belong? I do not know. The fact + that he was a thief throws no light on that question. Who was he? What did + he believe? I do not know. Did he believe in the Old Testament? In the + miracles? I do not know. Did he believe that Christ was God? I do not + know. Why then was the promise made to him that he should meet Christ in + Paradise? Simply because he pitied suffering innocence upon the cross. + </p> + <p> + God can not afford to damn any man who is capable of pitying anybody. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0020" id="link0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + V. THE GOSPEL OF JOHN + </h2> + <h3> + AND now we come to John, and that is where the trouble commences. + </h3> + <p> + The other gospels teach that God will be merciful to the merciful, + forgiving to the forgiving, kind to the kind, loving to the loving, just + to the just, merciful to the good. + </p> + <p> + Now we come to John, and here is another doctrine. And allow me to say + that John was not written until long after the others. John was mostly + written by the church. + </p> + <p> + "Jesus answered and said unto him: Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except + a man be born again he can not see the kingdom of God." + </p> + <p> + Why did he not tell Matthew that? Why did he not tell Luke that? Why did + he not tell Mark that? They never heard of it, or forgot it, or they did + not believe it. + </p> + <p> + "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he can not enter into + the kingdom of God." Why? + </p> + <p> + "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the + Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born + again." "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born + of the Spirit is spirit," and he might have added, that which is born of + water is water. + </p> + <p> + "Marvel not that I said unto thee, 'ye must be born again.'" And then the + reason is given, and I admit I did not understand it myself until I read + the reason, and when you hear the reason, you will understand it as well + as I do; and here it is: "The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou + hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and + whither it goeth." So, I find in the book of John the idea of the Real + Presence. + </p> + <p> + "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the + Son of man be lifted up; That whosoever believeth in him should not + perish, but have eternal life." + </p> + <p> + "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that + whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life. + </p> + <p> + "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that + the world through him might be saved. + </p> + <p> + "He that believeth on him is not condemned; but he that believeth not is + condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only + begotten Son of God." + </p> + <p> + "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth + not the Son, shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." + "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on + him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into + condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. + </p> + <p> + "Verily, verily, I say unto you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the + dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and they that hear shall + live." + </p> + <p> + "And shall come forth; they that have done good unto the resurrection of + life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of + damnation."-"And this is the will of him that sent me, that everyone which + seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life; and I will + raise him up at the last day." + </p> + <p> + "No man can come to me, except the Father, which hath sent me, draw him; + and I will raise him up at the last day." + </p> + <p> + "Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me hath everlasting + life. + </p> + <p> + "I am that bread of life. + </p> + <p> + "Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. + </p> + <p> + "This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat + thereof, and not die. + </p> + <p> + "I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If any man eat of this + bread he shall live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh, + which I will give for the life of the world." + </p> + <p> + "Then Jesus said unto them, verily, verily, I say unto you, except ye eat + the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. + </p> + <p> + "Whoso eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I + will raise him up at the last day. + </p> + <p> + "For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. + </p> + <p> + "He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in + him. + </p> + <p> + "As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father; so he that + eateth me, even he shall live by me. + </p> + <p> + "This is that bread which came down from heaven; not as your fathers did + eat manna, and are dead; he that eateth of this bread shall live forever." + </p> + <p> + "And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, + except it were given unto him of my Father." + </p> + <p> + "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection and the life; he that + believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. + </p> + <p> + "And whosoever liveth and believeth in me, shall never die." + </p> + <p> + "He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in + this world, shall keep it unto life eternal." + </p> + <p> + So I find in the book of John, that in order to be saved we must not only + believe in Jesus Christ, but we must eat the flesh and we must drink the + blood of Jesus Christ. If that gospel is true, the Catholic Church is + right. But it is not true. I can not believe it, and yet for all that, it + may be true. But I do not believe it. Neither do I believe there is any + god in the universe who will damn a man simply for expressing his belief. + </p> + <p> + "Why," they say to me, "suppose all this should turn out to be true, and + you should come to the day of judgment and find all these things to be + true. What would you do then?" I would walk up like a man, and say, "I was + mistaken." + </p> + <p> + "And suppose God was about to pass judgment upon you, what would you say?" + I would say to him, "Do unto others as you would that others should do + unto you." Why not? + </p> + <p> + I am told that I must render good for evil. I am told that if smitten on + one cheek I must turn the other. I am told that I must overcome evil with + good. I am told that I must love my enemies; and will it do for this God + who tells me to love my enemies to damn his? No, it will not do. It will + not do. + </p> + <p> + In the book of John all these doctrines of regeneration—that it is + necessary to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ; that salvation depends upon + belief—in this book of John all these doctrines find their warrant; + nowhere else. + </p> + <p> + Read Matthew, Mark, and Luke, and then read John, and you will agree with + me that the three first gospels teach that if we are kind and forgiving to + our fellows, God will be kind and forgiving to us. In John we are told + that another man can be good for us, or bad for us, and that the only way + to get to heaven is to believe something that we know is not so. + </p> + <p> + All these passages about believing in Christ, drinking his blood and + eating his flesh, are afterthoughts. They were written by the theologians, + and in a few years they will be considered unworthy of the lips of Christ. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0021" id="link0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + VI. THE CATHOLICS + </h2> + <p> + NOW, upon these gospels that I have read the churches rest; and out of + these things, mistakes and interpolations, they have made their creeds. + And the first church to make a creed, so far as I know, was the Catholic. + It was the first church that had any power. That is the church that has + preserved all these miracles for us. That is the church that preserved the + manuscripts for us. That is the church whose word we have to take. That + church is the first witness that Protestantism brought to the bar of + history to prove miracles that took place eighteen hundred years ago; and + while the witness is there Protestantism takes pains to say: "You cannot + believe one word that witness says, <i>now</i>." + </p> + <p> + That church is the only one that keeps up a constant communication with + heaven through the instrumentality of a large number of decayed saints. + That church has an agent of God on earth, has a person who stands in the + place of deity; and that church is infallible. That church has persecuted + to the exact extent of her power—and always will. In Spain that + church stands erect, and is arrogant. In the United States that church + crawls; but the object in both countries is the same—and that is the + destruction of intellectual liberty. That church teaches us that we can + make God happy by being miserable ourselves; that a nun is holier in the + sight of God than a loving mother with her child in her thrilled and + thrilling arms; that a priest is better than a father; that celibacy is + better than that passion of love that has made everything of beauty in + this world. That church tells the girl of sixteen or eighteen years of + age, with eyes like dew and light; that girl with the red of health in the + white of her beautiful cheeks—tells that girl, "Put on the veil, + woven of death and night, kneel upon stones, and you will please God." + </p> + <p> + I tell you that, by law, no girl should be allowed to take the veil and + renounce the joys and beauties of this life. + </p> + <p> + I am opposed to allowing these spider-like priests to weave webs to catch + the loving maidens of the world. There ought to be a law appointing + commissioners to visit such places twice a year and release every person + who expresses a desire to be released. I do not believe in keeping the + penitentiaries of God. No doubt they are honest about it. That is not the + question. These ignorant superstitions fill millions of lives with + weariness and pain, with agony and tears. + </p> + <p> + This church, after a few centuries of thought, made a creed, and that + creed is the foundation of the orthodox religion. Let me read it to you: + </p> + <p> + "Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold + the Catholic faith; which faith except every one do keep entire and + inviolate, without doubt, he shall everlastingly perish." Now the faith is + this: "That we worship one God in trinity and trinity in unity." + </p> + <p> + Of course you understand how that is done, and there is no need of my + explaining it. "Neither confounding the persons nor dividing the + substance." You see what a predicament that would leave the deity in if + you divided the substance. + </p> + <p> + "For one is the person of the Father, another of the Son, and another of + the Holy Ghost; but the Godhead of the Father, and of the Son, and of the + Holy Ghost is all one"—you know what I mean by Godhead. "In glory + equal, and in majesty coëternal. Such as the Father is, such is the + Son, such is the Holy Ghost. The Father is uncreated, the Son uncreated, + the Holy Ghost uncreated. The Father incomprehensible, the Son + incomprehensible, the Holy Ghost incomprehensible." And that is the reason + we know so much about the thing. "The Father is eternal, the Son eternal, + the Holy Ghost eternal, and yet there are not three eternals, only one + eternal, as also there are not three uncreated, nor three + incomprehensibles, only one uncreated, one incomprehensible." + </p> + <p> + "In like manner, the Father is almighty, the Son almighty, the Holy Ghost + almighty. Yet there are not three almighties, only one Almighty. So the + Father is God, the Son God, the Holy Ghost God, and yet not three Gods; + and so, likewise, the Father is Lord, the Son is Lord, the Holy Ghost is + Lord, yet there are not three Lords, for as we are compelled by the + Christian truth to acknowledge every person by himself to be God and Lord, + so we are all forbidden by the Catholic religion to say there are three + Gods, or three Lords. The Father is made of no one; not created or + begotten. The Son is from the Father alone, not made, not created, but + begotten. The Holy Ghost is from the Father and the Son, not made nor + begotten, but proceeding." + </p> + <p> + You know what proceeding is. + </p> + <p> + "So there is one Father, not three Fathers." Why should there be three + fathers, and only one Son? "One Son, and not three Sons; one Holy Ghost, + not three Holy Ghosts; and in this Trinity there is nothing before or + afterward, nothing greater or less, but the whole three persons are coëternal + with one another and coëqual, so that in all things the unity is to + be worshiped in Trinity, and the Trinity is to be worshiped in unity. + Those who will be saved must thus think of the Trinity. Furthermore, it is + necessary to everlasting salvation that he also believe rightly the + incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. Now the right of this thing is this: + That we believe and confess that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is + both God and man. He is God of the substance of his Father begotten before + the world was." + </p> + <p> + That was a good while before his mother lived. "And he is man of the + substance of his mother, born in this world, perfect God and perfect man, + and the rational soul in human flesh, subsisting equal to the Father + according to his Godhead, but less than the Father according to his + manhood, who being both God and man is not two but one, one not by + conversion of God into flesh, but by the taking of the manhood into God." + You see that is a great deal easier than the other way would be. + </p> + <p> + "One altogether, not by a confusion of substance but by unity of person, + for as the rational soul and the flesh is one man, so God and man is one + Christ, who suffered for our salvation, descended into hell, rose again + the third day from the dead, ascended into heaven, and he sitteth at the + right hand of God, the Father Almighty, and He shall come to judge the + living and the dead." In order to be saved it is necessary to believe + this. What a blessing that we do not have to understand it. And in order + to compel the human intellect to get upon its knees before that infinite + absurdity, thousands and millions have suffered agonies; thousands and + thousands have perished in dungeons and in fire; and if all the bones of + all the victims of the Catholic Church could be gathered together, a + monument higher than all the pyramids would rise, in the presence of which + the eyes even of priests would be wet with tears. + </p> + <p> + That church covered Europe with cathedrals and dungeons, and robbed men of + the jewel of the soul. That church had ignorance upon its knees. That + church went in partnership with the tyrants of the throne, and between + those two vultures, the altar and the throne, the heart of man was + devoured. + </p> + <p> + Of course I have met, and cheerfully admit that there are thousands of + good Catholics; but Catholicism is contrary to human liberty. Catholicism + bases salvation upon belief. Catholicism teaches man to trample his reason + under foot. And for that reason it is wrong. + </p> + <p> + Thousands of volumes could not contain the crimes of the Catholic Church. + They could not contain even the names of her victims. With sword and fire, + with rack and chain, with dungeon and whip she endeavored to convert the + world. In weakness a beggar—in power a highwayman,—alms dish + or dagger—tramp or tyrant. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0022" id="link0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + VII. THE EPISCOPALIANS + </h2> + <p> + THE next church I wish to speak of is the Episcopalian. That was founded + by Henry VIII., now in heaven. He cast off Queen Catherine and Catholicism + together, and he accepted Episcopalianism and Annie Boleyn at the same + time. That church, if it had a few more ceremonies, would be Catholic. If + it had a few less, nothing. We have an Episcopalian Church in this + country, and it has all the imperfections of a poor relation. It is always + boasting of its rich relative. In England the creed is made by law, the + same as we pass statutes here. And when a gentleman dies in England, in + order to determine whether he shall be saved or not, it is necessary for + the power of heaven to read the acts of Parliament. It becomes a question + of law, and sometimes a man is damned on a very nice point. Lost on + demurrer. + </p> + <p> + A few years ago, a gentleman by the name of Seabury, Samuel Seabury, was + sent over to England to get some apostolic succession. We had not a drop + in the house. It was necessary for the bishops of the English Church to + put their hands upon his head. They refused. There was no act of + Parliament justifying it. He had then to go to the Scotch bishops; and, + had the Scotch bishops refused, we never would have had any apostolic + succession in the New World, and God would have been driven out of half + the earth, and the true church never could have been founded upon this + continent. But the Scotch bishops put their hands on his head, and now we + have an unbroken succession of heads and hands from St. Paul to the last + bishop. + </p> + <p> + In this country the Episcopalians have done some good, and I want to thank + that church. Having on an average less religion than the others—on + an average you have done more good to mankind. You preserved some of the + humanities. You did not hate music; you did not absolutely despise + painting, and you did not altogether abhor architecture, and you finally + admitted that it was no worse to keep time with your feet than with your + hands. And some went so far as to say that people could play cards, and + that God would overlook it, or would look the other way. For all these + things accept my thanks. + </p> + <p> + When I was a boy, the other churches looked upon dancing as probably the + mysterious sin against the Holy Ghost; and they used to teach that when + four boys got in a hay-mow, playing seven-up, that the eternal God stood + whetting the sword of his eternal wrath waiting to strike them down to the + lowest hell. That church has done some good. + </p> + <p> + The Episcopal creed is substantially like the Catholic, containing a few + additional absurdities. The Episcopalians teach that it is easier to get + forgiveness for sin after you have been baptized. They seem to think that + the moment you are baptized you become a member of the firm, and as such + are entitled to wickedness at cost. This church is utterly unsuited to a + free people. Its government is tyrannical, supercilious and absurd. + Bishops talk as though they were responsible for the souls in their + charge. They wear vests that button on one side. Nothing is so essential + to the clergy of this denomination as a good voice. The Episcopalians have + persecuted just to the extent of their power. Their treatment of the Irish + has been a crime—a crime lasting for three hundred years. That + church persecuted the Puritans of England and the Presbyterians of + Scotland. In England the altar is the mistress of the throne, and this + mistress has always looked at honest wives with scorn. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0023" id="link0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + VIII. THE METHODISTS + </h2> + <p> + ABOUT a hundred and fifty years ago, two men, John Wesley and George + Whitfield, said, If everybody is going to hell, somebody ought to mention + it. The Episcopal clergy said: Keep still; do not tear your gown. Wesley + and Whitfield said: This frightful truth ought to be proclaimed from the + housetop of every opportunity, from the highway of every occasion. They + were good, honest men. They believed their doctrine. And they said: If + there is a hell, and a Niagara of souls pouring over an eternal precipice + of ignorance, somebody ought to say something. They were right; somebody + ought, if such a thing is true. Wesley was a believer in the Bible. He + believed in the actual presence of the Almighty. + </p> + <p> + God used to do miracles for him; used to put off a rain several days to + give his meeting a chance; used to cure his horse of lameness; used to + cure Mr. Wesley's headaches. + </p> + <p> + And Mr. Wesley also believed in the actual existence of the devil. He + believed that devils had possession of people. He talked to the devil when + he was in folks, and the devil told him that he was going to leave; and + that he was going into another person. That he would be there at a certain + time; and Wesley went to that other person, and there the devil was, + prompt to the minute. He regarded every conversion as warfare between God + and this devil for the possession of that human soul, and that in the + warfare God had gained the victory. Honest, no doubt. Mr. Wesley did not + believe in human liberty. Honest, no doubt. Was opposed to the liberty of + the colonies. Honestly so. Mr. Wesley preached a sermon entitled: "The + Cause and Cure of Earthquakes," in which he took the ground that + earthquakes were caused by sin; and the only way to stop them was to + believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. No doubt an honest man. + </p> + <p> + Wesley and Whitfield fell out on the question of predestination. Wesley + insisted that God invited everybody to the feast. Whitfield said he did + not invite those he knew would not come. Wesley said he did. Whitfield + said: Well, he did not put plates for them, anyway. Wesley said he did. So + that, when they were in hell he could show them that there was a seat left + for them. The church that they founded is still active. And probably no + church in the world has done so much preaching for as little money as the + Methodists. Whitfield believed in slavery, and advocated the slave-trade. + And it was of Whitfield that Whittier made the two lines: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "He bade the slave ships speed from coast to coast, + Fanned by the wings of the Holy Ghost." +</pre> + <p> + We have lately had a meeting of the Methodists, and I find by their + statistics that they believe that they have converted 130,000 folks in a + year. That, in order to do this, they have 26,000 preachers, 226,000 + Sunday school scholars, and about $100,000,000 invested in church + property. I find, in looking over the history of the world, that there are + 40,000,000 or 50,000,000 of people born a year, and if they are saved at + the rate of 130,000 a year, about how long will it take that doctrine to + save this world? Good, honest people; but they are mistaken. + </p> + <p> + In old times they were very simple. Churches used to be like barns. They + used to have them divided—men on that side, and women on this. A + little barbarous. We have advanced since then, and we now find as a fact, + demonstrated by experience, that a man sitting by the woman he loves can + thank God as heartily as though sitting between two men that he has never + been introduced to. + </p> + <p> + There is another thing the Methodists should remember, and that is that + the Episcopalians were the greatest enemies they ever had. And they should + remember that the Freethinkers have always treated them kindly and well. + </p> + <p> + There is one thing about the Methodist Church in the North that I like. + But I find that it is not Methodism that does that. I find that the + Methodist Church in the South is as much opposed to liberty as the + Methodist Church North is in favor of liberty. So it is not Methodism that + is in favor of liberty or slavery. They differ a little in their creed + from the rest. They do not believe that God does everything. They believe + that he does his part, and that you must do the rest, and that getting to + heaven is a partnership business. The Methodist Church is adapted to new + countries—its ministers are generally uncultured, and with them zeal + takes the place of knowledge. They convert people with noise. In the + silence that follows most of the converts backslide. + </p> + <p> + In a little while a struggle will commence between the few who are growing + and the orthodox many. The few will be driven out, and the church will be + governed by those who believe without understanding. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0024" id="link0024"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + IX. THE PRESBYTERIANS + </h2> + <p> + THE next church is the Presbyterian, and in my judgment the worst of all, + as far as creed is concerned. This church was founded by John Calvin, a + murderer! + </p> + <p> + John Calvin, having power in Geneva, inaugurated human torture. Voltaire + abolished torture in France. The man who abolished torture, if the + Christian religion be true, God is now torturing in hell, and the man who + inaugurated torture, is now a glorified angel in heaven. It will not do. + </p> + <p> + John Knox started this doctrine in Scotland, and there is this peculiarity + about Presbyterianism—it grows best where the soil is poorest. I + read the other day an account of a meeting between John Knox and John + Calvin. Imagine a dialogue between a pestilence and a famine! Imagine a + conversation between a block and an ax! As I read their conversation it + seemed to me as though John Knox and John Calvin were made for each other; + that they fitted each other like the upper and lower jaws of a wild beast. + They believed happiness was a crime; they looked upon laughter as + blasphemy; and they did all they could to destroy every human feeling, and + to fill the mind with the infinite gloom of predestination and eternal + death. They taught the doctrine that God had a right to damn us because he + made us. That is just the reason that he has not a right to damn us. There + is some dust. Unconscious dust! What right has God to change that + unconscious dust into a human being, when he knows that human being will + sin; when he knows that human being will suffer eternal agony? Why not + leave him in the unconscious dust? What right has an infinite God to add + to the sum of human agony? Suppose I knew that I could change that piece + of furniture into a living, sentient human being, and I knew that that + being would suffer untold agony forever. If I did it, I would be a fiend. + I would leave that being in the unconscious dust. + </p> + <p> + And yet we are told that we must believe such a doctrine or we are to be + eternally damned! It will not do. + </p> + <p> + In 1839 there was a division in this church, and they had a lawsuit to see + which was the church of God. And they tried it by a judge and jury, and + the jury decided that the new school was the church of God, and then they + got a new trial, and the next jury decided that the old school was the + church of God, and that settled it. That church teaches that infinite + innocence was sacrificed for me! I do not want it! I do not wish to go to + heaven unless I can settle by the books, and go there because I ought to + go there. I have said, and I say again, I do not wish to be a charity + angel. I have no ambition to become a winged pauper of the skies. + </p> + <p> + The other day a young gentleman, a Presbyterian who had just been + converted, came to me and he gave me a tract, and he told me he was + perfectly happy. Said I, "Do you think a great many people are going to + hell?" "Oh, yes." "And you are perfectly happy?" Well, he did not know as + he was, quite. "Would not you be happier if they were all going to + heaven?" "Oh, yes." "Well, then, you are not perfectly happy?" No, he did + not think he was. "When you get to heaven, then you will be perfectly + happy?" "Oh, yes." "Now, when we are only going to hell, you are not quite + happy; but when we are in hell, and you in heaven, then you will be + perfectly happy? You will not be as decent when you get to be an angel as + you are now, will you?" "Well," he said, "that was not exactly it." Said + I, "Suppose your mother were in hell, would you be happy in heaven then?" + "Well," he says, "I suppose God would know the best place for mother." And + I thought to myself, then, if I was a woman, I would like to have five or + six boys like that. + </p> + <p> + It will not do. Heaven is where those are we love, and those who love us. + And I wish to go to no world unless I can be accompanied by those who love + me here. Talk about the consolations of this infamous doctrine. The + consolations of a doctrine that makes a father say, "I can be happy with + my daughter in hell;" that makes a mother say, "I can be happy with my + generous, brave boy in hell;" that makes a boy say, "I can enjoy the glory + of heaven with the woman who bore me, the woman <i>who would have died for + me</i>, in eternal agony." And they call that tidings of great joy. + </p> + <p> + No church has done more to fill the world with gloom than the + Presbyterian. Its creed is frightful, hideous, and hellish. The + Presbyterian god is the monster of monsters. He is an eternal executioner, + jailer and turnkey. He will enjoy forever the shrieks of the lost,—the + wails of the damned. Hell is the festival of the Presbyterian god. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0025" id="link0025"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + X. THE EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE. + </h2> + <p> + I HAVE not time to speak of the Baptists,—that Jeremy Taylor said + were as much to be rooted out as anything that is the greatest pest and + nuisance on the earth. He hated the Baptists because they represented, in + some little degree, the liberty of thought. Nor have I time to speak of + the Quakers, the best of all, and abused by all. + </p> + <p> + I cannot forget that John Fox, in the year of grace 1640, was put in the + pillory and whipped from town to town, scarred, put in a dungeon, beaten, + trampled upon, and what for? Simply because he preached the doctrine: + "Thou shalt not resist evil with evil." "Thou shalt love thy enemies." + </p> + <p> + Think of what the church must have been that day to scar the flesh of that + loving man! Just think of it! I say I have not time to speak of all these + sects—the varieties of Presbyterians and Campbellites. There are + hundreds and hundreds of these sects, all founded upon this creed that I + read, differing simply in degree. + </p> + <p> + Ah! but they say to me: You are fighting something that is dead. Nobody + believes this now. The preachers do not believe what they preach in the + pulpit. The people in the pews do not believe what they hear preached. And + they say to me: You are fighting something that is dead. This is all a + form, we do not believe a solitary creed in the world. We sign them and + swear that we believe them, but we do not. And none of us do. And all the + ministers, they say in private, admit that they do not believe it, not + quite. I do not know whether this is so or not. I take it that they + believe what they preach. I take it that when they meet and solemnly agree + to a creed, they are honest and really believe in that creed. But let us + see if I am waging a war against the ideas of the dead. Let us see if I am + simply storming a cemetery. + </p> + <p> + The Evangelical Alliance, made up of all orthodox denominations of the + world, met only a few years ago, and here is their creed: They believe in + the divine inspiration, authority and sufficiency of the holy Scriptures; + the right and duty of private judgment in the interpretation of the holy + Scriptures, but if you interpret wrong you are damned. They believe in the + unity of the godhead and the Trinity of the persons therein. They believe + in the utter depravity of human nature. There can be no more infamous + doctrine than that. They look upon a little child as a lump of depravity. + I look upon it as a bud of humanity, that will, in the air and light of + love and joy, blossom into rich and glorious life. + </p> + <p> + Total depravity of human nature! Here is a woman whose husband has been + lost at sea; the news comes that he has been drowned by the ever-hungry + waves, and she waits. There is something in her heart that tells her he is + alive. And she waits. And years afterward as she looks down toward the + little gate she sees him; he has been given back by the sea, and she + rushes to his arms, and covers his face with kisses and with tears. And if + that infamous doctrine is true every tear is a crime, and every kiss a + blasphemy. It will not do. According to that doctrine, if a man steals and + repents, and takes back the property, the repentance and the taking back + of the property are two other crimes. It is an infamy. What else do they + believe? "The justification of a sinner by faith alone," without works—just + faith. Believing something that you do not understand. Of course God can + not afford to reward a man for believing anything that is reasonable. God + rewards only for believing something that is unreasonable. If you believe + something that is improbable and unreasonable, you are a Christian; but if + you believe something that you know is not so, then,—you are a + saint. + </p> + <p> + They believe in the eternal blessedness of the righteous, and in the + eternal punishment of the wicked. + </p> + <p> + Tidings of great joy! They are so good that they will not associate with + Universalists. They will not associate with Unitarians; they will not + associate with scientists; they will only associate with those who believe + that God so loved the world that he made up his mind to damn the most of + us. + </p> + <p> + The Evangelical Alliance reiterates the absurdities of the Dark Ages—repeats + the five points of Calvin—replenishes the fires of hell—certifies + to the mistakes and miracles of the Bible—maligns the human race, + and kneels to a god who accepted the agony of the innocent as an atonement + for the guilty. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0026" id="link0026"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + XI. WHAT DO YOU PROPOSE? + </h2> + <p> + THEN they say to me: "What do you propose? You have torn this down, what + do you propose to give us in place of it?" + </p> + <p> + I have not torn the good down. I have only endeavored to trample out the + ignorant, cruel fires of hell. I do not tear away the passage: "God will + be merciful to the merciful." I do not destroy the promise; "If you will + forgive others, God will forgive you." I would not for anything blot out + the faintest star that shines in the horizon of human despair, nor in the + sky of human hope; but I will do what I can to get that infinite shadow + out of the heart of man. + </p> + <p> + "What do you propose in place of this?" + </p> + <p> + Well, in the first place, I propose good fellowship—good friends all + around. No matter what we believe, shake hands and let it go. That is your + opinion; this is mine: let us be friends. Science makes friends; religion, + superstition, makes enemies. They say: Belief is important. I say: No, + actions are important. Judge by deed, not by creed. Good fellowship—good + friends—sincere men and women—mutual forbearance, born of + mutual respect. We have had too many of these solemn people. Whenever I + see an exceedingly solemn man, I know he is an exceedingly stupid man. No + man of any humor ever founded a religion—never. Humor sees both + sides. While reason is the holy light, humor carries the lantern, and the + man with a keen sense of humor is preserved from the solemn stupidities of + superstition. I like a man who has got good feeling for everybody; good + fellowship. One man said to another: + </p> + <p> + "Will you take a glass of wine?" + </p> + <p> + "I do not drink." + </p> + <p> + "Will you smoke a cigar?" + </p> + <p> + "I do not smoke." + </p> + <p> + "Maybe you will chew something?" + </p> + <p> + "I do not chew." + </p> + <p> + "Let us eat some hay." + </p> + <p> + "I tell you I do not eat hay." + </p> + <p> + "Well, then, good-by, for you are no company for man or beast." + </p> + <p> + I believe in the gospel of Cheerfulness, the gospel of Good Nature; the + gospel of Good Health. Let us pay some attention to our bodies. Take care + of our bodies, and our souls will take care of themselves. Good health! + And I believe the time will come when the public thought will be so great + and grand that it will be looked upon as infamous to perpetuate disease. I + believe the time will come when man will not fill the future with + consumption and insanity. I believe the time will come when we will study + ourselves, and understand the laws of health and then we will say: We are + under obligation to put the flags of health in the cheeks of our children. + Even if I got to heaven, and had a harp, I would hate to look back upon my + children and grandchildren, and see them diseased, deformed, crazed—all + suffering the penalties of crimes I had committed. + </p> + <p> + I believe in the gospel of Good Living. You can not make any god happy by + fasting. Let us have good food, and let us have it well cooked—and + it is a thousand times better to know how to cook than it is to understand + any theology in the world. + </p> + <p> + I believe in the gospel of good clothes; I believe in the gospel of good + houses; in the gospel of water and soap. I believe in the gospel of + intelligence; in the gospel of education. The school-house is my + cathedral. The universe is my Bible. I believe in that gospel of justice, + that we must reap what we sow. + </p> + <p> + I do not believe in forgiveness as it is preached by the church. We do not + need the forgiveness of God, but of each other and of ourselves. If I rob + Mr. Smith and God forgives me, how does that help Smith? If I, by slander, + cover some poor girl with the leprosy of some imputed crime, and she + withers away like a blighted flower and afterward I get the forgiveness of + God, how does that help her? If there is another world, we have got to + settle with the people we have wronged in this. No bankrupt court there. + Every cent must be paid. + </p> + <p> + The Christians say, that among the ancient Jews, if you committed a crime + you had to kill a sheep. Now they say "charge it." "Put it on the slate." + It will not do. For every crime you commit you must answer to yourself and + to the one you injure. And if you have ever clothed another with woe, as + with a garment of pain, you will never be quite as happy as though you had + not done that thing. No forgiveness by the gods. Eternal, inexorable, + everlasting justice, so far as Nature is concerned. You must reap the + result of your acts. Even when forgiven by the one you have injured, it is + not as though the injury had not been done. That is what I believe in. And + if it goes hard with me, I will stand it, and I will cling to my logic, + and I will bear it like a man. + </p> + <p> + And I believe, too, in the gospel of Liberty, in giving to others what we + claim for ourselves. I believe there is room everywhere for thought, and + the more liberty you give away, the more you will have. In liberty + extravagance is economy. Let us be just. Let us be generous to each other. + </p> + <p> + I believe in the gospel of Intelligence. That is the only lever capable of + raising mankind. Intelligence must be the savior of this world. Humanity + is the grand religion, and no God can put a man in hell in another world, + who has made a little heaven in this. God cannot make a man miserable if + that man has made somebody else happy. God cannot hate anybody who is + capable of loving anybody. Humanity—that word embraces all there is. + </p> + <p> + So I believe in this great gospel of Humanity. + </p> + <p> + "Ah! but," they say, "it will not do. You must believe." I say, No. My + gospel of health will bring life. My gospel of intelligence, my gospel of + good living, my gospel of good-fellowship will cover the world with happy + homes. My doctrine will put carpets upon your floors, pictures upon your + walls. My doctrine will put books upon your shelves, ideas in your minds. + My doctrine will rid the world of the abnormal monsters born of ignorance + and superstition. My doctrine will give us health, wealth and happiness. + That is what I want. That is what I believe in. Give us intelligence. In a + little while a man will find that he can not steal without robbing + himself. He will find that he cannot murder without assassinating his own + joy. He will find that every crime is a mistake. He will find that only + that man carries the cross who does wrong, and that upon the man who does + right the cross turns to wings that will bear him upward forever. He will + find that even intelligent self-love embraces within its mighty arms all + the human race. + </p> + <p> + "Oh," but they say to me, "you take away immortality." I do not. If we are + immortal it is a fact in nature, and we are not indebted to priests for + it, nor to bibles for it, and it cannot be destroyed by unbelief. + </p> + <p> + As long as we love we will hope to live, and when the one dies that we + love we will say: "Oh, that we could meet again," and whether we do or not + it will not be the work of theology. It will be a fact in nature. I would + not for my life destroy one star of human hope, but I want it so that when + a poor woman rocks the cradle and sings a lullaby to the dimpled darling, + she will not be compelled to believe that ninety-nine chances in a hundred + she is raising kindling wood for hell. + </p> + <p> + One world at a time is my doctrine. + </p> + <p> + It is said in this Testament, "Sufficient unto the day is the evil + thereof;" and I say: Sufficient unto each world is the evil thereof. + </p> + <p> + And suppose after all that death does end all. Next to eternal joy, next + to being forever with those we love and those who have loved us, next to + that, is to be wrapt in the dreamless drapery of eternal peace. Next to + eternal life is eternal sleep. Upon the shadowy shore of death the sea of + trouble casts no wave. Eyes that have been curtained by the everlasting + dark, will never know again the burning touch of tears. Lips touched by + eternal silence will never speak again the broken words of grief. Hearts + of dust do not break. The dead do not weep. Within the tomb no veiled and + weeping sorrow sits, and in the ray-less gloom is crouched no shuddering + fear. + </p> + <p> + I had rather think of those I have loved, and lost, as having returned to + earth, as having become a part of the elemental wealth of the world—I + would rather think of them as unconscious dust, I would rather dream of + them as gurgling in the streams, floating in the clouds, bursting in the + foam of light upon the shores of worlds, I would rather think of them as + the lost visions of a forgotten night, than to have even the faintest fear + that their naked souls have been clutched by an orthodox god. I will leave + my dead where nature leaves them. Whatever flower of hope springs up in my + heart I will cherish, I will give it breath of sighs and rain of tears. + But I can not believe that there is any being in this universe who has + created a human soul for eternal pain. I would rather that every god would + destroy himself; I would rather that we all should go to eternal chaos, to + black and starless night, than that just one soul should suffer eternal + agony. + </p> + <p> + I have made up my mind that if there is a God, he will be merciful to the + merciful. + </p> + <p> + Upon that rock I stand.— + </p> + <p> + That he will not torture the forgiving.— + </p> + <p> + Upon that rock I stand.— + </p> + <p> + That every man should be true to himself, and that there is no world, no + star, in which honesty is a crime. + </p> + <p> + Upon that rock I stand. + </p> + <p> + The honest man, the good woman, the happy child, have nothing to fear, + either in this world or the world to come. + </p> + <p> + Upon that rock I stand. + </p> + <div style="height: 6em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + <table summary="" border="3" cellpadding="4"> + <tbody> + <tr> + <td> + <big><big><a + href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/38813/38813-h/38813-h.htm"> + TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR ALL 12 EBOOKS IN THIS SET</a></big></big> + </td> + <td></td> + </tr> + </tbody> + </table> + <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Works of Robert G. 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