The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 1872.
We never care to tread upon the branch of human education claimed by the Church; but as it concedes the right of private judgment, at the risk of incurring its censure we propose pointing out what we consider shortcoming in its teaching. On Sunday last, we dare say allusion was made to the boat accident in our Bay in every pulpit in the town. It was in the church we attended, with the professed intention of what, in clerical slang, is termed “ improving the occan sign/’ We gh r c to the ulliciatiug
minister credit for his good intentions, but'certainly were not improved by his address. It was, however, in the most approved style of orthodoxy, and probably true, for we cannot contradict what was said about the effect of a sudden plunge into eternity ; but it seems to us that the improvement should be present, and that there should be plainer views put forth of human duty, and less of mystery than is thrown around such matters. The lesson for improvement lies on the surface, within the very grasp of a preacher: yet for some inexplicable reason the clergy will persist in looking ’ beyond it only, instead of boldly drawing attention to plain and self-evident truths. The preacher to whom we listened confessed he could not understand lohy such a catastrophe should be permitted. From which it will be seen that he busied himself more in groping about Divine reasons than in explaining human duty. This word duty may seem harsh when applied to what we terra an accident; bvff we are endeavoring to do what we think our clergy fall short of!; we wish to put the matter in such a light as to prevent such sad affairs in future. We shall therefore endeavor to urge our reasons upon what we conceive bo be the highest motive that can actuate man—his duty to God and his fellows : and we claim in what follows to be supported by the text-book of Christian duty—the New Testament. Taking religion to mean a rule of life, or in other words a set of laws, it is plain that true worship is conformity to law. For convenience of analysis, laws are separated into two classes : those which relate to matter, and those which relate to morals. The latter, because, undisooverable by observation, are revealed, and because of their involving the formation of moral character are enforced by a variety of motives. But the laws of matter are just as unerring in their operations, although they are left to man to discover and apply to hts need, his safety, and his pleasures. Ii then, all true worship consists in a voluntary obedience to the laws of the Creator, such worship must be very imperfect if the laws of matter are left out of the question. But obedience to them is quite as binding, if men will escape the consequences of breaking or defying them, as it is to keep moral laws. ■ Each physical law observed, brings its own reward ; transgression of each bears its peculiar punishment. When, therefore, disease, danger, or death, follows want of cleanliness, imperfect ventilation, neglect of exercise, indulgence _ in gluttony or drink, or playing tricks with Nature’s fcwces, there is no mystery about the matter; the mystery is that so few suffer from such causes ; not that so many fall victims. Just so with these mournful accidents. Although we do not know what was the immediate cause of the boat going down, we know it must have been because of some mismanagement: that is that those on board, or some of them, omitted to submit to a law of the Creator. It does not matter whether consciously or unconsciously, the result is inevitably the same. We know that this involves a practical and habitual application to present circumstances of what are termed physical laws: meaning thereby in plain English a knowledge of how one atom of matter is related to the rest, and what will happen if there is a change of form, position, or condition. In the case of this boat accident, any one of many events might have induced it. First, as the wind is not steady, a sudden gust would have a tendency to capsize the boat. Second, as the stability of a vessel on the water depends upon the position of her centre of gravity, insufficient ballast might have been the cause. A skilled crew might take means to counteract this danger. Thirdly, as very frequently happens, where a number of people are in a boat, while she may be perfectly safe so long as they retain their seats, the sudden rising of two or three, by raising the centre of gravity too high, might at once overturn her. The law of gravitation would be ignored. We knew the children of two families, with some of their friends drowned from this .cause, and many accidents yearly happen through it. Fourthly, ignorance and inexperience in the management of the sails or handling the rudder would lead to the same result. Other causes might be enumerated, but it is needless. To two points, arising out of consideration of this subject we wish to draw every man’s attention; First, since the lives, health and safety of Mends and associates, so often depend upon individual obedience to physical laws, no man can be said to do his duty to his neighbor who neglects to fulfil them, or sanctions a breach of them. Secondly, we repeat that in its strict meaning, worship of God consists in voluntary obedience to his laws. “ If ye love me, keep my laws.” On the ground, therefore, of religious duty and personal safety, we recommend a
study of practical physical science as tending to secure individual and social health, to render life enjoyable and pleasure pleasant, because safe.
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Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2770, 3 January 1872, Page 2
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979The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 1872. Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2770, 3 January 1872, Page 2
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