The Origin and Nature of Secularism; Showing That Where Freethought Commonly Ends Secularism Begins

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. 1896 Excerpt: ...are of use and necessity for him to know is but an ignorant man, whatever he may know beside." To know this world, and the secular conditions of prosperity in it, is indispensable to the people. Christianity is entirely futile in industry. If a workman cannot pay his taxes, the most devout Chancellor of the Exchequer will not abate sixpence in consideration of the defaulter's piety. The poor man may believe in the Thirtynine Articles, be able to recite all the Collects; he may spend his Sundays at church, and his evenings at prayermeeting; but the reverend magistrate, who has confirmed him and preached to him, will send him to gaol if he does not pay. The sooner workmen understand that Christianity has no commercial value, the better for them. Why should purely secular instruction be regarded with distrust, when purely religious education does not answer 1 It does not appear in human experience that purely religious teaching, even when dispensed in a clergyman's family, is a security for good conduct. It is matter of common remark that the sons of clergymen turn out worse than the sons of parents in other professions. We want no whining or puling population. The elements of science and morality will give children the use of their minds, and minds to use, and teach justice and kindness, self-direction, self-reliance, fortitude, and truth. There is piety in this instruction--piety to mankind--exactly that sort of piety for the want of which society suffers. The principles for which during two centuries Nonconformity in England has contended are, that the State should forbid no religion, impose no religion, teach no religion, pay no religion. In 1870, the year in which Mr. Forster's Act came into operation, I was the only person who issued a public addres...