Correspondence.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3718, 24 November 1880, Page 2

Correspondence.

THE- PBOPEB METHOD TO COS. VEJtT INFIDELITY AND Dig. PEL SCEPTICISM. (To the Editor of the Evening Star.) Sis,—la bis intense lore for a March after truth, the Sceptic finds that what was the theology of it one day is not so in another. He discovers that the Christian opinions now held and freely expressed*-* would hate been called atheistic in forme« times, and that the holders and utteras of them would hare been tortured in body and mind, and thrown to wild beasta in the Amphitheatre at Borne. He learns that some of the wisest, purest, and best of men that the world has every known either in ancient or modern times, have held the same opinions as himself upon theological subjects. Men, who, without parading their rirtue, or Taunting their "Trueßdigipn," acted righteously and well. He finds that at all times, that the truth he seeks for has been persecuted. He learns that the noble Greeks tad Bomans, noted for their learning eloquence and wisdom, whose words and deeds appear rather divine than human, entertained the same or no religious opinion at all. In the history of suoh Ben as Thales, Epiearas, Zeno, Aristotle, and . Socrates, he finds actions and sentiments that accord with hisown^spirations* He) discovers that the ancient religions wen considered by philosophers as equally false, and that none but wise men are v capable of understanding soienee. 4 He sees that human laws are like cobwebs, which entangle the weak and foolish, and that are broken through by the strong and philosophical. He finds that there have been, and are, scores of gigantio intellects in art, soienee, and philosophy, who hold that they are themselves, and that others can be happy only in living virtuously and promoting the' happiness of their fellow creatures. ' Instead of loving mercy and doing justice he finds sect contending with sect, and 1 persecuting each other for opinions t H» clergy, who are largely paid to answer and refute false doctrine,. and to preserve the Christian religion, as by law established, from every evil that ma* be devised against it, appear to seek brute power rather than moral influence. They seem not to believe in their own doctrine of th* vanity of resisting a Deity from whom must proceed the desire and power to do so. The infidel and Sceptic perceive that, all religions believe happiness impossible outside of their own particular principles, and that reason is unnecessary. But reflection teaohe* them that neither the Bible or anything else can be examine! without reason, andtney find, too, that it is this very reason which amongst the sects determines fifth or ■ belief. To be a Christian only by adhesion, on the grounds of birth and education—whioh is the condition of the : balk of professors—is all as one as being a Turk or'heathen. They take their opinions upon trust, and almost think it criminal to examine into the grounds #r reasons upon which they, rest, and if tney find any others who are not so indolentvr irrational: as they are they call him infidel, atheist, sceptic, and ML to, if possible, to persecute him. Restricted space eomptUs me to postpone to the next the fulfilment of the promises of my last letter.—l am, 60.,

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