Author Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1882. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER IV. NATURAL RELIGION AND THE STATE. Natural Religion then is no mere dull morality, for in the first place it is far wider than any morality, being as wide as modern culture, and in the second place so far as it is moral and bears fruit in morality, even here it is no mere morality, but a historic religion of humanity. A true religious life then--so much perhaps has been shown to be possible without aid from supernaturalism. But a new objection makes itself heard. 'Possible to whom? To a few elect spirits more finely gifted than the average of mankind, or to a few fortunate people lifted above common cares and rich enough to indulge in spiritual luxuries? But religion in the proper sense is no such delicate thing. Either it is one of the great forces which sway whole communities at once, or it is nothing. We may speak with all respect of those refined systems which find an adherent here and there among the thoughtful few, but we should call them philosophy rather than religion. And of this kind is every variety of rationalism, every system of belief which excludes the supernatural. In their place such systems may be respectable, but they wear a disguise when they present themselves in the character of religion.' In the ecclesiastical world Natural Religion is commonly hooted down with a confused clamour of Mere morality! Mere philosophy! as though these two contemptuous epithets had much the same meaning. But there is a great difference between them. The charge of Mere morality! has been examined, but it remains to meet those who cry Mere philosophy! Natural Religion may be much more than a mere morality, it may satisfy and elevate the soul as no dead morality can do, but it may lack nevertheless all popular power, it may be a mere philosophy, inc...