THE TORCH OF REASON, SILVERTON, OREGON, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1897 Torch of Reason and in many ways cultivating the S ave th e D erelict of C h ris tia n ity . the teachings of the bible we would not work for their propagation, but intellectual faculties and gaining When parents are cruel, exacting, we honestly believe that Secularism social ideas that make us civ The C d !) Seculer F e p r F cb lh U d tn the and tyrannical with their children, is right and that on account « f it- ilized and happy. Yes, we must, if we are just, give the children are apt to goto the being right, it will, as soon as prop Pacific Coast. the chri-tian church credit for all Published Weekly by the Oregon State had when tln*y are once out from erly present» <1 to thinking people, the good it has done and we do n<»t under the galling yoke, and even he hailed with gr.-at delight as the Secular Union. wish'-« - y *>» think that w-' ad while th' »•' pai'f.’i-think they have- CTue savior of men. - - There are a few determined men vocate that the mistak» s of Chris full control, the children may he J. E. HOS’d S a .................... Editor. tians are any worse than the mis P. W. - - - B is in ; s s M anager rebelling against their harsh treat and women who nmlerstand tin* ment and doing the very things great beauty and power of this re takes of Freethinkers. If a Chris E ntered at the ixistoffice at Silverton, that the poor mistaken parents ligion of humanity and what far tian is honest, and is tr\ ing to do O ie^on, hh h vo ih I cla^s mail m atter. reaching benefits it will confer U| on the world good, he should not be wished them to avoid. The same thing is true of tyran our race when once it is universally condemned, and we believe that H l’ ltSC HI P l IO S K A TES. nical governments, and,once having accepted and with an energy that there are m«ny who claim to be (•re Y ear, in Hilvunce.......... ........... f l Six MunthH, in ad v an ce...................................... Secularists who would do well to 'I h r-e Month*. in advance . . . . .................... “•* lost confidence in the g »verning knows no failure and a determina In Clubs of i or m>»r« one year, in advance. . ~ • Money *hould bo eont by registered le tte r or ability of their rulers, the people tion that nothing can conquer they study the principles of Secularism money order. . . . Pie ne rend ns the nam«** and ed trer-ea o f Sec- are very apt to break away, and, are planning a campaign against from some sincere, earnest Chris ularirta who are n o t regular subHcriber*. not having been trained in the world—a campaign that will tian. The good part of Christianity, seif government, they are quite sure win a victory that men and women, THURSDAY . . FEBRUARY 18,1.11.297. to make many mistakes; and, as yet unborn, will honor as the great that part which teaches the golden rul«*, that part that teaches our was the ease in the French Revolu est triumph of our race. Character vs Talent. tion, the pent up feelings of the These determined forerunners duties to our fellow men, that part people may find vent in unreason may be found in different parts of that embraces the great principles There are many people who have the world, hut thanks to infidel and truths that have been taught much ahilitv along certain line« able riots and bloodshed. Now in every age there are good philosophy they can communicate by the great philanthropists of all who are very detrimental to society ages, whether Christians, Buddhists, on account of this ability being I results and had results coming from with each other and their duties Pagans, Jews or Freethinkers, the coupled with a low moral charac their respective causes, the roots an«l privileges are becoming better secular part is not to be condemned ter. A young man who haw a com of which may reach way down into understood every day. One of their plans is about to he and if a Christian can not leave his manding appearance, musical abil the past epochs of history. We church and bring with him the ity, and pleasing manners may believe that this age is one in completed. The fortification known good that is in it, if he cannot be completly capture a young lady’s wdiich great changes are taking as the Liberal University will soon better than he has been in the affections and at the same time he place in regard to the old forms of be erected. The grounds are selected. Christian church a better citizen, may he her worst enemy. And so worship an<l that the pendulum of The plan of the building is drawn a better father, a better brother, it is in social circles. Many peo popular thought is rapidly swing and soon will be thrown on the a better friend, then he had better ple who are talented ate the very ing away from the superstitions screen of the astonished world stay, for the world has enough evil worst enemies that society has, for and dead religions of past cen by (he searchlight known as Other in it already. by their talent they become leaders turies, and as the people begin to the T orch of R eason . We condemn evil wherever found and then gradually lead their cap realize the wrong that has been workers will reproduce the picture and the evil in the Frcethought tives to the poisoned fountain from «lone by men who have pretended and soon all the friends of human ranks should lie condemned as which they draw their own nox to be in communication with an ity will know of our progress and severly as that in the Christian omnipotent and loving father, when then with their help we will soon ious draught. churches. A Freethinker who goes Talent is necessary and without they begin to understand the fraud be throwing the wonderful bombs home drunk and beats his wife and ab ility any wurk cannot succeed that has been perpetrated upon us i of truth into the ranks of ignor who cares nothing about making but the first test of ability should in the name of a mythical savior, ance, hut instead of destroying our others hap™’ or leaving the world be character, for without this as a they are apt, very apt to go to ex enemies, they will prove missiles of better is « : g the world more harm perhaps than one who, al foundation no work can be built as tremes. The pendulum will, with love that will convert them to the though he has much superstition, is it should he built; and tin* individ out a doubt, swing too far for the only true religion, the religion of trying to do something for his ual or organization that starts out best interests of humanity. The doing good. fellowmcn. Until w»‘, who are strong in the with a low moral standard expect yoke once broken men and women ing to move rapidly toward success who have been good only because T he Good Done by C h r is tia n ity . belief that Secularism is the salva tion of the world, furnish a better with talent alone, is like a wild of fear, are sure to make many mis home for Christians who have be It is a wise thing to try to find come disgusted with the mythical engine on the wrong track. Sooner I takes that are neither to their ad or later there will he a crash. Let vantage nor a remedy for the evils as much good in everything as pos part of their religion, we must sible,and although many things are expect them to stand aloof, but let us learn a lesson from our past ex of the past. Secularists, before it is too late to more evil than good, yet we know us once show conscientious Chris periences as individual^ and as an prevent much of the mischief that of no religion that has no good in tians that we have something better, organizainn. something that contains all the We must know that success will may come from the breaking up of it whatever, and we believe in al good part of Christianity and none never he reached in accomplishing the old rack-heap of orthodoxy, let ways giving credit where credit is of its many evils and they will the grand objects for which we are us drill a life-saving crew that due. The Christian church has leave their poor old stranded otganized until we have a large, will rescue the perishing and care done much good because it has had wreck and pull for the shore of ! reason and common sense. This is well organized, determined army of for the dying. all along a secular part connected our grand and glorious work then, There are many who are break with its superstitious part and, al full Hedged Secularists, to build up men and women of high moral character and we can never have ing away from the old teachings, though hindered and often times a pure, clean society that will ap- this until our first concern is in re and it is of paramount importance entirely destroyed by its evil teach peal to those who have become dis gard to the moral status of our that we build an organization that ings, the good part has at times gusted with evil in all its forms will prevent the evils which may been a great help to the world and and who wish to save the world for members. humanity. Liberal friend, the past is past— come from these derelict products some of the advocates of Christian We understand perfectly well of Christianity. For if they are set gone with its victories and defeats. ity have been brave and good men that for every effect there is an adrift in their weak, undeveloped efficient cause, and so we condemn Let us now* for the sake of our and women. The churches and Sunday schools no one no matter how bad he is, fellow men, for the sake of the boys state without guide or compass, but we do condemn and will work and girls who will be very much they "’ill hinder the great onward have done a great deal in the way for the discontinuance of the causes of perfecting the human of education for, no matter if their like the pattern we make for them, movement that bring about such conditions, race instead of becoming what they and for the sake of coming genera may become, promoters of hap work has been bad in many re and we sincerelv believe that the tions hasten to correct our own piness and champions of the rights spects, yet we can not deny that surest way to do this is to build up mistakes and set the moral stand of man. wherever men, woman and child- a society that will be free from the great social corruption and mental ard of our beloved union so high ren meet regularly for the study of slavery that is ruining every good How O ur W o rk P ro g resses. that all may see our good works any subject, much good must come and beautiful thing in this, what may ami glorify humanity which is on If we thought that the teachings from it in the way of learning to become a beautiful dwelling place earth. of Secularism were no better than read, becoming interested in history for the children of men. e