The necessity of arguing dispassionately with intellectual youths.
- Title
- The necessity of arguing dispassionately with intellectual youths.
- Author
- Morais, Sabato
- Format
- 7 pages on 4 sheets
- Language(s)
- English
- Source
- Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies
- Sabato Morais Collection, Box 13, Folder 17
- Has Format
- https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/items/ark:/81431/p39p2ws0h/manifest.json
- Link to Colenda
- https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/catalog/81431-p39p2ws0h
- Provenance
- Transfer of Custody from the Hebrew Education Society, 10 March 1913.
- Is Format Of
- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/judaicadh/morais/main/TEI/SMBx13FF17.xml
- content
-
(Introductry)
The necessity of arguing dispassionately
with intellectual youths.
Announcing the intention to deliver
a series of lectures on God, Revelation & Immortality
Brethren.
As a matter of course I am not in full accord of sentiments with the pan-Presbyterian Council, still in session in our city. In realty reality the proceedings of a vast meeting of representative men, who have been brought together from near and from far, for a purpose which they hold sacred, and which did and doubt--less will accomplish much good, must of necessity command respect, but most of the questions discussed at the convention, are of a character not likely to interest the world at large, and less than all that small portion of the human race, called "Israel". The urging of the acceptance of dogmas repugnant to the belief in One all-sufficient Creator and Ruler; the enforceing effort to the of a Sab--bath, which is not the Sabbath of a Divine revelation; and the enjoining of a complex church discipline, which is at variance with the simple government of the Synagogue, such questions I say, and others of a similar nature, starting from points inadmis--sible in Judaism, and not even acceptable to the all Christen--dom, deny the Council a claim to universal attention. Yet among the numerous topics submitted to the consideration of an meeting assembly composed of learned ministers and laymen, some commend themselves to the reflection of Jews as well as Gentiles.
Notably the remarks which fell from the lips of Dr James Mc'Cosh, President of Princeton college, have a direct application to all peoples and denominations. The eminent Professor spoke wisely, when he advised the elders to deal tenderly with the young, in this age of unsettled opi--nions. I heartily agree with the views he advanced. ([ inserted by author) Educated youths need our the sympathies and not the frowns of their more experienced brethren fellow-creatures. Cultured young folks are not, as asserted, uniformly skeptical. They do not systematic--ally throw a doubt on every religious doctrine, but they waver, they halt between the old and the new. The fault is not theirs, but it is of the time and circumstances in which they have been placed. They see a great deal in what is ancient, that conflicts with modern thought. They read books labeled "perfection" because their authors are confessedly high chiefs in the realms of science, masters in the art of composition. They find it difficult to decide between speculative theories, and theologic--al dogmas. They know not what to embrace and what to cast off. Still our young sons and daughters who have at all reflected upon the laws of nature, and upon man's faculties would resent as a personal insult the charge of having taught them--selves to become Atheists or Materialists.
Unfortunately, however, they are drifting, unconsciously perhaps, into that channel of poisonous waters. A new name has been invented for to represent thinking beings who remain in a state of uncertainty about religious principles--Agnosticism-- Our children style themselves Agnostics. They neither receive nor repel prevailing beliefs, but Agnosticism breeds Indifferentism, and this is closely allied to a denial of God and of our accountability to Him. How to avert the crisis should become the earnest and most anxious study of the lovers of mankind.
Dr McCosh counsels that we deal tenderly with our youths. And the recommendation is excellent, as the person who gave ti is an excellent observer of the workings of the human mind. He The Professor has the opportunity to of searching into them, and he can ap--preciate the struggle of clashing ideas. His students find a theology that teaches the existence of an all-powerful Deity outside of nature; then again they meet with a system of science that argues against that seperate existence, and tries to prove that the honor paid to the Deity is due to Nature. In one book the unity of design in the formation of every created object in the heaven above, on the earth beneath, and in the water under the earth is pointed at as suggesting the belief in a Divine Mind. In another book, everything in the physical and moral world is explained as an inexplicably absolute Necessity.
No wonder that our reflecting youths continue undecided; and when to this state of mental vacillation, we add the cravings of the passions flesh so strong so despotic in early days, & a vivacious disposition restive under religious restraints, we may form a conception of the inward fight between faith and its adversaries. We ought to deal tenderly with the thoughtful among the young, in this age of unsettled opinions. We should sympathise rather than make issue with them. The learned professor President at Princeton college justly remarks that it will vastly depend upon the guidance bent which this generation will receive, whether positive religion or a ne--gation of it shall win in the conflict hot contest of ideas. He sees much good and much evil in a state of ferment, but the good needs a kindly direction and then the evil may be forced to serve its opposite. In the attempt to lay open the foundations of every belief, our ambitious sons and daughters may dig very deep and bring up dirt. Some will jump at a false conclusion and confound the pure with the impure,k but if a guiding hand draws our children out of the mire they themselves have stirred raised up, they will acknowledge that the ground below was clear, and that they had stirred up rubbish. In other words, ours is an age of inquiry, and intelligent youths will stop short at nothing in the way of investigation.
To upbraid them for not paying homage to the convictions of their elders, for not showing reverence to the past, will not promote the cause of religion. It may make of them hypocrites of them, deceivers willing to hide their thoughts, but not believers. To argue with them dispassionately, to set reasonings against reasonings, to force them with by intellectual weapons to surrender and confess God, Revelation and Immortality as the only saving triad, capable of saving rescuing delivering the individual and human society from destruction; to follow that way we may will be to gain for the world a generation of faithful.(] inserted by author)
Brethren. It does not lie in my power to ascertain whether the subversive notions imbibed from school books, and from collegiate instruction, from the intercourse with the frivolous and from the instigations of the passions, have taken harbour in the breasts of any of my youthful hearers. It would be hap--piness for me to know for sure with certainty that those under my ministry think wisely and believe righteously, but at all events be as it may at all events, what I intend to say hereafter in the Synagogue, may be repeated outside, and effect some good among those who are infected with ideas hostile to religion. I purpose delivering a series of short lectures, in as easy a language, as compatible with difficulty of the subjects, on God, Revelation and Immortality.
I may not be able to follow the course professed, conse--cutively; but I trust I shall not be compelled to allow a great interval between each address. Very possibly, the arguments I shall advance will not be new to my audience--what can be brought forward in our days which is not threadbare--? but they may rewaken reflection. I shall offer nothing original, simply the result of my conscientious studies after having consulted deep the writings of deep thinkers and scholars of extensive learning. May the Lord bless my intention with success.
I know that just at present, a demand is made everywhere for easy fitting instruction to the very youngest among the attendants at the worship public service. But I judge that I can reach that important ele--ment elsewhere. At the Sunday-school our little boys and girls can hear me weekly. They should be there regularly, undeterred by the weather light rain or snow, and they will receive useful teaching in the history of the Bible, in the spirit of the command--ments, and in the language of our prayers, so that they may become living worshippers, and not merely silent spectators in the house of God. I now announce that to-morrow morning at 9 o'clock I shall resume my tuition, and will be found at the school in 7th st above Wood till about 11 o'clock. - Identifier
- p39p2ws0h
- identifier
- SMBx13FF17
Part of The necessity of arguing dispassionately with intellectual youths.
Morais, Sabato, “The necessity of arguing dispassionately with intellectual youths.”, Sabato Morais Digital Repository, accessed October 18, 2024, https://judaicadhpenn.org/legacyprojects/s/morais/item/91446