o
THE TORCH OF REASON, SILVERTON, OREGON, JUNE 22, 1899.
fullv ag much as the priests who the arts of peace, through scientific
drink wine and give it to others instruction, commerce, friendship
ind pretend that it is the blood of and example; assisting natural ev
heir god. Aud when it conies to olution, and finding partial exter
the question of which has done the mination or resort to physical force
most injury, the saloon system or seldom necessary. Spare the rod,
priestcraft, we must confess that and save both parent and child, e
,ur studies have convinced us that and thereby diffuse a higher sense
the latter has been the greater of equal rights throughout the
state, with mutual benefit to family
enemy to our race.
‘•Give strong drink unto him and nation. Rod and sceptor fall
who is ready to perish and wine together. Here is an opportunity
unto those that be of heavy hearts. for divine advisers to secure an :
Let him drink and forget his pov amendment to revelation in the
erty and remember his misery no interest ot the weak and defense-
more,” says the holy word of an less.
Many of those who claim to be
all-wise(?) god, and many who, in
spite of this advice, would have divine servants think otherwise
made a success of life have been about this, and seem willing to jus-
driven to despair by feeling them tify the ready use of carnal weap-
selves outcasts because their reason ons, especially if they think it can
could not accept the other absurd be made to “help our church” or
doctrines of the great “I am.’ give renewed life to the collections
And many whose honesty has pre for the missionary cause.
One regrets to learn that there is
vented them from playing the
hypocrite have swung to the other selfishness in the methods of the
church of his fathers, and, worse
side of this evil pendulum.
What shall we do to be saved yet, of his mothers, and that there
from drink and superstition? Look is so little difference between a
to Jesus? No. Look to science, saintly conference and a wordly
the ouly true guide for civilized convention.
When a “reverend brother” rises
man.
■ in a patriotic gathering to carry
out the program of exercises by of-,
For the Torch of Reason.
fering prayer, it is encouraging to
Divine A ssista n ts.
note the unanimity of careless in-
difference throughout this intelli- ...
BY G. W. MOREHOUSE.
gent audiences, much the same ax
Those who attempt to influence is observed nnong the membership
divine providence should, in the of scientific associations.
Listening to the prayer, we are
interest of the safety of the com
munity, be careful to think twice surprised to learn that an all-wise
before they speak. On occasions and unchangeable deity has charge
calculated to arouse patriotic fer of the Philippine unpleasantness y f f
vor, more than ordinary caution and all our affairs, and the
should be used. In the principal “brother” goes on to suggest and .
addresses there is generally little advise and pray for such continu-
to condemn and much to praise, ance or mollifications of divine
although to the humanitarian,with plans as to help our arms to sue-
the whole world his field, the senti ceed, to defeat other of “his crea-'W F
ment, “My country, right or tures” and to establish our brand
wrong,” evokes a shudder and a of civilization. The prayer exhales
painful regret.
This doctrine, a militant atmosphere, such as
which has caused no little blood must have pervaded our late Mili-
letting in its day, and it is still on tary Advisory Board at W ashing- .
the stage, is less pernicious than its ton. Visions of bloodshed, victory
spectre comrade: “ My religion, aud glory are wafted upward.
right or wrong.” The two have Everything is going our way. An . . .
generally been partners in plun hour passes and this fervent pe- ,
dering. “Be sure you are right, tition, unless it secures immediate
attention, is neutralized by an ad
then go ahead.”
The individual who starts out verse appeal from a "b ro th er’ of
led only by the desire for personal another denomination to pronounce
aggrandisement, justifying his acts the “benediction.” He asks for
to himself whether right or wrong, peace and ventures to call attention
the peace convention at The
generally runs amuck, and his life
ends in tragedy, perhaps at the end Hague and pray for its success.
of a rope. Do not the same princi- He pleads that right may prevail
ciples apply to the collected mass against might.
The relieved audience feels that
of individuals known as a nation?
Let us have patriotism, to be sure, in all probability the whole matter
hut let it be just, reasonable and will be left just ahmt the same as
peace-loving, with no scheme or it was before a word bad been said,
and that things would again re-
priest behind the patriot.
National action, serious and far- sume their accustomed channels.
reaching, should be, as far as pos Again was the inarch resumed of
sible, under the guidance of the the unending evolutionary proces
best individual consciences. In sion, projecting into the misty
such case the means of enlighten- future and fraternally embracing
Continued on 6th page.
• tuent would doubtless be found in
ViZ
kiy
kiy
SIZ
SIZ
SIZ
SIZ
SIZ
SIZ
SIZ
SIZ
SIZ
SIZ
SIZ
to
SIZ
SIZ
SIZ
SIZ
SIZ
SIZ
The
z
SIZ
SIZ
SIZ
SIZ
SIZ
SIZ
SIZ
T H E ONLY S C H O O L
SIZ
OF T H E K IN D .
SIZ
SIZ
SIZ
SIZ
SIZ
SIZ
F ree from S uperstition SIZ
SIZ
S trictiy N on-Sectarian SIZ
SIZ
SIZ
SIZ
SIZ
Pupils are Given Every Opportunity to Learn SIZ
SIZ
Without Being Hampered by Supersti
Liberal
University
tions and Dogmas.
L o c a tio n H e a lth fu l,
S o c ie ty G ood.
E x p e n s e s M o d e ra te
/V Splendid Corps of Teachers and Good Facil
ities for Teaching.
For information,
address
J. E. H O S M E R , Ph. D., B. S. D.,
P R E S ID E N T ,
W
SILVERTON.
SIZ
SIZ
SIZ
SIZ
SIZ
SIZ
SIZ
SIZ
SIZ
SIZ
SIZ
SIZ
SIZ
SIZ
SIZ
SIZ
SIZ
SIZ
SIZ