THE TORCH OF REASON, SILVERTON, OREGON, THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 1897
M henever there are enough Free-
cured? George T. Angell’s “Bands month of a leaflet printed for the to this would he “A Scientist’s
of Mercy/’ “Dumb Animals,” and express purpose of propagating List of Sins ami their Punish- thinkers in any locality to start
his other methods for teaching hu­ such teaching as shall found and ments.” Perhaps one tract should scientific Sunday meetings, they
mane education is also “excelsior. foster a school of scientific religion emphasize in what respects a scien- should be induced to start such and
The National Temperance Publica­ in every community. A different tific religion will surpass or he more helped to make them successful by
tion Association’* temperance tracts leaflet must be furnished each beneficial than the Christian re- finding in every issue of the Free-
thought papers a simple programme,
and other publications are far-reach­ month, by the publishing house ligion.
One tract should teach why there a new scientific lesson, such as
ing, and mainly in the right direc­ that undertakes this work. To
tion. I want to call especial atten­ secure the best leaflets for this pur­ can he “No God Creator,” In ac- those used in the Oregon Secular
tion to this last. A little tract, just pose, I think a subject could be cordance with the creation theory,' Sunday schools; subjects appropri-
a leaflet, can contain condensed in­ announced in their paper, and a if a god created everything, he ate for discussion with a few lead-
formation, productive of concen­ prize offered for the best articles must have made not only heaven ing points to start from; also a list
trated thought and conviction, thereon, not to exceed 500 words. ami earth and all that is good of printed lectures appropriate for
where a paper or a 1 m , ok on the Perhaps a dozen of the best re­ therein, but he must also have ere- such meetings, and where obtained,
same subject, if read, would be so ceived might be printed in their ated th e devil and hell, and created Each society should select its best
diluted that little or none of it paper, ami the vote of the subscri­ most beings too weak or ignorant reader or elocutionist, and have
would be definitely remembered. bers could decide which should re­ to resist temptations, and then one lecture read or delivered at
Most everybody would read just a ceive the prize and he printed in submitted them to all manner of each meeting. Suggest what music
leaflet tract, if only one was handed leaflet form for broadcast distribu­ evils, sufferings, diseases, wars, and singing would be best at these
them with that request. If it was a tions. Or perhaps a committee of famines, and vermin here, and end- meetings, old favorites, ballads, and
new idea to them, and the reason­ the editors and the ablest writers, less torment hereafter. For what? new songs calculated to promote
ing was sound, it would* stick, and or the editor alone, could do it Ih»w can any man love or respect patriotism, love of home, nature,
they would have to believe and be with more wisdom ami less trouble. such a God, or have any responsibil- virtue, noble deeds, etc. Something
influenced by it, whether they would Employ whatever way will bring ity, hope, happiness, trust, or in- in the hygienic line should come in
or not. Can not the Freethought about the desired result quickest centivesto a noble life! This creat- every Sunday, for on better knowl-
press publish leaflets as cheap as arid most thoroughly. Of course ing idea induces belief in miracles edge of physiology and hygienic
any, so that Freethinkers can afford the tract committee or editor will ami the bible, needless fears and and living in accordance therewith
to broadcast their guiding facts and decide what tracts are most needed, useless self denials. Isn’t it as easy depends the evolution of health, a
reasons? The National Temper­ but my thoughts thereon may not to believe that nature always was, superior physical development, the
ance Publication Associaiion pub­ be worthless to help set the ball as to believe that God created eradication of disease and abolish-
naiure hut God always was? How merit of liquor-drinking and selec-
lish many leaflets at 10 for 1 cent. rolling.
If every W. C. T. U. and prohibi­ One of the first tracts should much more sensible to believe that tion of best foods; and therefrom is
tionist would each distribute 5cents make the people see that the bible’s nature’s forces are forever slowly manufactured the fullest supply of
worth (50) of one kind only, every morality and the character of its evolving changes, her laws are pure nutritious blood to feed and
month, a different tract each month, god are far behind the ideal moral­ discoverable, her stories useable, develop brain and all its forces
instead of their occasional whole- ity of the present day, and our and man is capable of continuous which the moral and scientific ies-
distributions, public sentiment measure of justice, mercy, and improvemer.t, with capabilities, sons direct into proper channels, so
responsibilities, hopes, aud enjoy- that strength of reasoning powers,
against liquor would receive a vast square dealing for all men.
I
should choose “ Ingersoll’s ments, ami sufficient desirable character, industry, prosperity,
impetus to what it now does, and a
consequent mighty check on its use Teaching*” as the subject of one recompense for labor to incite there happiness and wisdom result,or the
and sale, and a proportionate dim­ tract. Of course, whoever attempts to. Why are people so desirous of evolution of a nobler class of citi-
inution of all vice, crime, poverty, to write that, must first read several living forever, when everlasting zens than this world has ever
and misery. The results from in­ of bis best lectures, then select bis sameness would soon become so known. The masses must he taught
toxicants are the opposite of evolu­ main ideas and concentrate each tiresome they would wish for end- that hygienic feeding is necessary
for strong bodies, before high
tion. No other curse in this world into a brief, strong, clear sentence. less sleep.
One tract should be on “False thinking can be had.
is responsible for so much of evil, The best sentence of such a tract
Out of the variety of helpsfurn-
or so needs the best united efforts should name bis best printed lec­ Claims of Christianity,” showing
of all philanthropists to secure its tures, price, and where obtained, so up “No harm shall come nigh thy ished by the press, each society
overthrow’. But this work is if the reader wants more of him, dwelling;” piety does not bring would select to fit its abilities and
wisdom nor protection from natural needs. The helps would stimulate
hampered by those who mainly they can get it.
“Thomas Paine’s Teachings” elements, accidents, and diseases, them to try meetings; hut without
have it in charge, the W. C. T. U.
and Prohibitionists insisting on would furnish another tract. Dar­ nor any larger returns for labor the helps, in very many eases, no
prayer and orthodoxy as the way, win’s theory and most convincing than unbelievers receive; and are start would he made.
not ministers’ sons and the child-
Mv idea of a lecture bureau is
instead of forwarding the scientific proofs, another.
One tract should show that ren of praying mothers often not to furnish lecturers, but printed
truths, proving that health, moral­
ity, prosperity and happiness re­ thought, memory, knowledge, soul, tempted astray, bent on folly and lectures, carefully prepared by the
quire abstinence from intoxicants are dependent on living active wickedness, intemperance, and most capable scientists in each
Christians fear death, branch of science, the wisest phil-
ami from whatever leads to the use brain; they grow ami decay with ruin.
philanthropists, and
the brain, hence there can he “no Accepting salvation and the in- osophers,
of stimulants and narcotics.
But my aim now is not to preach future life.” This (or another dwelling of Christ docs not impart statesmen, in the whole country or
on temperance work, for something tract) should show that body, mind, strength enough to save from being the whole world; and to treat not
else must come first. Before the and soul, are built; up from nutri­ tempted “beyond their ability to | only on scientific subjects, but also
use and sale of intoxicants can be tious foods, healthy surroundings, withstand.” and backsliding. Civil- on each of the great questions of
abated scientific religion must take and right incentives, and destroyed ization is due to what? Christian- the age which especially affect the
the place of the Christian religion, by intoxicants, hurtful foods, medi­ ity has bred church-dissentions and “general welfare” and individual
wars, instead of “ Peace upon earth.” well-being. I’d have the bureau
or at least must secure a strong cines and dearth of incentives.
Other subjects may he “compari­ Are prayers answered? Praying select 52 such men and women and
following. How can this be done?
I ask you to consider the following son of bibles and gods,” and most for Ingersoll doesn’t change him; ask each to prepare one lecture
plan, and if you can propose a glaring “contradictions of the praying f<»r Lincoln and Garfield within the next year, and agree to
did not save them: praying for the pay from $100 to $1000 apiece for
bible.” “ Prayer.”
better, let us have it.
One of the first and most import­ overthrow of the liquor traffic does them, according to their value,
Secure the organization of all
moral Freethinkers, into a union ant tracts, I think, should l»e on not stop that; hut the bible says, which will depend on the ability
and reputation of the writer.
for the evolution and propagation “ S cientific M o ra lity .” I nrean th e “ Ask and ye shall receive. n
If in the meantime the tract dis-
I think a dozen or twenty care­
of scientific religion to promote the best scientific reasons for honesty,
“general welfare” and individual industry, self-control of tenq>er fully prepared tracts with the above trihution and starting Suudavsci-
morality, happiness, industry, pros­ and passions and hurtful appetites, objects in view, if distributed every- entific meetings, has been well
where, one at a time, would start d
, hcre
h, lo 5e more
perity, and wisdom. Each member and for the promotion of other vir­ the
hall rolling. Then Sunday sci- .
.
,
of this union shall pay one dollar tues, and eradication of vices, or entitle meetings, with the help of “ >»" a thousand cu.es and
a year, and for this shall receive how each virtue benefits the man, press and a lecture bureau, could
J
Continued on eighth page
and distribute 50 copies every and each vice harms him. Similar carry it on.