raHpnas r4 fir Wf ? - 16 THE PITTSBURG DISPATCH. SUNDAY, APRIL 13, 1890. THE AGE OF DOUBT. Men of All Classes Are Questioning the Existence of a God. HOT ALL ACE MORALLY CORRUPT. Many Are Led Aside by Sentiment and Others by Seasoning. PEOGKESS IS MATERIAL XXOWLEDGE WEITTEX FOR THE DISIMTCII.1 The essential assertion of all religions is the assertion of the existence of God. This assertion is eo essential that if it were taken ont of religion there would be no religion left It is the heart of all the creeds. This essential assertion cannot be evaded by declining to deny it. It demands state ment and will not be satisfied with any thine short of resolute belief. Wherever this is not jriven there is an end to religion. This essential assertion of religion has never lacked questioners. So lone as the body is more tangible than the soul, and the world is more visible than God, and the interroga tion mark continnes to be used in human speech, there will be people who will be in doubt about it. There are a good many such people now. There are three ates by which doubt gets en trance into the mind: By the gate of conscience, by the gate of sentiment, and by the gate of reaton. If the watchman by the gate of conscience proves a traitor, in comes doubt. That is the testimony of ex perience. A man who has something the matter with his conscience is pretty sure to have something the matter with his creed. His lips may put the words of it into speech; he may not falter into ominous silence, like the demon bridegroom in Mrs. Browmnr's poem, when he ventures into prayer. But his heart is dumb. Only the pure in heart can see God; only the good can know God. MOKE THAX IXTEL1.ECT SEEDED. Into all the higher judgments which men have to make there must more bebrightthan acuteness of intellect, if the judgment is to be just. The logician is not fitted by his logic alone to pronounce upon the excellence of music. Something more than metaphysical shrewdness is needed for the appreciation of poetrr. It is said that a popular declaimer against the Christian 'laith came back from Europe and declared that all modern appreciation of the old art masters is a delusion. Xobody, he affirmed, can really see in those dim pictures any thing to admire. But that did not tettle the matter. The American artists did not evac uate Borne. It settled only one thing, namely, that the critic's mind, was so that artistic beauty of that kind made no impres sion upon it. Into all judgments upon the assertions of religion the moral nature must enter. It is not true, hovrever, as some say, that all unbelief means moral defect It is not true that doubt always gets in by the gate of con science. Padre Agostico, whom they call the modern Savonarola, began his second lecture in Florence two years ago, with these words: "My brethren, the reasoning faculties of mankind, Christian civilization, the welfare of our country are now being subjected to a very hard trial. They are all ahte threat ened bv the sacreligious attack of atheism. Misguided men, refusing the universally accepted tradition of a long course of cen turies, and the instructive lessons of history, trampling under loot all the teachings of philosophy, the interests of society, the law of the land, and the rnle of their own con science, have declaied open war against God. Day by day ther pursue their iniqui tous campaign, carrying it with vindictive pertinacity and implacable hatred into every province of the human intellect. They not only refuse to know God, but they deny His existence." A. OXE SIDED VIEW. Presently he declared that exceptions to the general rnle that all men believe in God "can only be found among men of corrupt morals and diseased conscience." Where this eloquent monk got his ideas about the character of modern doubt, whether from books or from men, I know not But I venture the opinion, from these words of his, that he has studied more with his eyes than with his ears, and -more by lampligh' than by daylight unless men are different Italy from the men whom we all know. It seems as if be must have known better, if he had gone out of his monastic cell into the streets. 2obody to-day, who knows men, could quote these words with any commendation. It would be a happy state of things if none had a doubt about God except the vindictive, the Iniquitous, the ignorant, and the vicious. But we may as well face the plain fact There are men and women to-day who are not willing to affirm that God exists, whose pure, unselfish, helpful, upright lives are evident to every body. They are Christians in all except their creed. There is a second gate. The gate of senti ment One summer morning, under a blue sky and beside the bluest of all seas, was en acted one of the strangest ceremonies of modern times. A dead body lay along the sand, and a little company of men were piling up a heap of wood beside it They made the wood into an altar, laid the un clothed body on it, poured out wine and oil as a libation to an unknown god, set the wood on fire, and watcned the body burn to ashes. It was a pigan sacrifice. 'But the dead man had not been even so much as a pagan. He who lay there dead had stood once upon a peak of the Alps, and looked out over the glories of nature about him and up into the illimitable sky above him, and had set his name in bold letters on the face of the cliff, with a title after it "Percy Bhelley, Atheist." TOE STOBY OF TEECY SnELEET. Shelley was an atheist by stress of senti ment He hated conventionalism; he re belled against the tyranny of tradition; he loved liberty. He wanted to do his own thinking and to make up his own mind. This kind of gate for doubt swings wide in the minds of bright youngfellows in college, end in the minds, also, of a good many thoughtful young men and women out of college. They have made the discovery that man is a reasoning being, and they want to make further experiments. They come upon new books and new ideas which contradict what they have learned at home. Ther want to be wide-minded, lib eral, hospitable to new truth. They want to stand on their own ieet, and to work ont their own conclusions. That state of mind is, of course, eminently hopeful; but its first turn is apt to be toward unbelief. The new, for a time, drives out the old. After awhile, in the experience of most young people whose judgment is well balanced, the old is recognized as true after all. The new is not abandoned, but rather helps to a better understanding of the old. That is what makes intellectual progress possible. For a time, however, as I say, through the gate of sentiment comes doubt This whole generation is in the sophomore year. It is in the era of discovery. Nothing has equaled it since that wonderful renaissance time whose four hundredth anniversary we are just now get ting ready to keep. In such a general frame of mind, new ideas crowding daily upon men's attention, new triumphs daily being won scientific, political, intellectual, ecclesiastic, theological old theories being discredited, old confessions of faith being assailed with hard names. "Whither?" the universal question, and nobody quite able yet to answer where under such men tal conditions doubt is perfectly natural. It is inevitable. It comes in by the wide gate of sentiment THE GATE OF REASOIT. Doubt enters also by a third gate, the gate of reason. The fact may as well be jaced that there are sober-minded and thoughtful men and women to-day whose reason tells them that the whole question as to God's existence is a doubtful matter. Willingly and gladly would they be lieve, but reason, as they understand iu voice, forbids. There are genuine intellect ual difficulties in the fay. These difficulties are most of them as old as the race, but they are emphasized by the peculiar intellectual conditions of our time. The, greater part of the thinking which is being done in this generation is in a ma terial direction. The emphasis is on the physical side. Whoever looks back 60 years, whether as an observer of social mat ters like Mr. Walter Besant, or as an ob server of scientific matters like Prof. Hux ley, is very sure to lay stress upon the won derful progress and betterment which has affected the things which can be seen, and handled, and measured. Within our own memory two new and most significant words evolution and electricity have come into the vocabulary of common people. THE QBEAT ACHIEVEMENTS. So much has been aebieved by men of science that they seem to a good many peo ple to deserve the title which Gordon's sol diers had in China the Ever-Victorious Army. So many old ideas have been dis proved, so many ghosts laid, so many extra ordinary things shown to belong after all to the orainary course of nature, eo many mys teries brought into the .revealing light, so many "bottomless pits" proved to be ex actly such and such a number of feet deep, that it seems sometimes as if everything would by and by be measured and accounted for. The Society for Psychical Research be lieves that there is really something behind the ghost stories, something which they will be able to explain to everybody's satisfac tion in a year or two. And a great many people belong to an unorganized so ciety for theological research, and be lieve that there is really something, behind the universal faith in God, something which can be traced back one of these days to tne suggestions of a a ream, or to the sighing: of the wind, and adequately explained away. The lust of explanation has hold on all onr thought We want to understand everything. We an suspicious about whatever cannot be made plain. This prevalent intellectual condition affects our theology. There is doubt, to-day, in the very air. Having said thns much about the need for the defending of the essential assertion of religion, I purpose next week to come to the defense itself, to the argument for God. Geokge Hodges. - A Card. For the benefit of the general public I wish to say: I know from personal experi ence, in the use of Chamberlain's Cough Remedy, in my family for my ehildren that it is an absolute preventative and a positive cure for croup if given according to the direc tions. I make this statement hoping that someone may be benefited by knowing my experience in the use of this valuable remedy. F. S. Bokabatjch, merchant, Botna, Shelby county, la. Fifty cent bottles are for sale by E. G. Stucky, 1701 and . 2101 Pcnn ave.; E. G. Stucky & Co., cor. Wylie ave. and Fulton st; Markell Bros., cor. Penn and Faulkston aves.; Theo. E. Ihrig, 3610 Fifth ave.; Carl Hartwig, 4016 Butler st;JohnC. Smitb, cor. Penn ave. and Main st; Jas. L. McConnel & Co., 455 Fifth ave., Pittsburg, and in Allegheny by E. E. Heck, 72 and 194 Federal st; Thos. K. Morris, cor. Hanover and Preble aves; F. H. Eggers, 172 Ohio st, and F. H. Eg gers & Son, 199 Ohio st and 11 Smithfield street Thsu Bargains In Lace Curtains. Newest patterns. 68c, 75c, 85e, 90c Still finer, SI, $1 25, $1 50, 52. Extra fine, $2 60, $3, 3 50, $4, J5. Beal Swiss, $6 to $10 a pair. Portieres, $3 CO to $10, at Bosenbaum & Co.'a Special to the Everett Finno Clnb. Certificate No. 133, Mary A. Eogers, Wil kins ave., Pittsburg, receives the upright grand Everett piano this weeft on the $1 payments, we nave just received a large shipment of pianos, fresh and bright, and now is a good time to select your instru ment Alex. Boss, Manager, 137 Federal st. SEW ADVERTISEMENTS. w nr THEATRE lllfndertbe direct Jot? of R.M.60MGK&G0. WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY. APRIL 14, MATINEES WEDNESDAY and SATURDAY. LYCEUM SECOND ANNUAL TOUR EEFBESEHTED If you want comfort, courteous treatment and cleanliness, stop at the bturtevant House when in New York City. Rates reasonable. Twenty-ninth st and Broadway. See the Lochinvar awnings; they are ex ceedingly beautilnl and novel, at Mamaux & Son's, 537 and 539 i" enn ave., Pittsburg. Ladies' and misses' silk mits and gloves cheapest at Bosenbaum & Co.'s. Tuxedo awnings at Mamaux & Son's, 539 Penn ave., Pittsburg, Pa. Carolina Poplars. The largest and finest in this or any other State. Prices as to size. For 10 days 10 per cent of The B. A. Elliott Co., 54 Sixth St., Pittsburg. The Eight-Hoar Movement. In regard to the eight-hour movement agitated at present, we think it is a good move, as it gives a man eight hours to work, eight hours to sleep and eight hours to se lect from the best line of wall paper in the city at J. J. Fuchs', 1710 Carson street, S. S. Mubako awnings at Mamaux & Son's, 539 Penn ave,, Pittsbarg, Pa. Last Excursion to Washing-ton CItr. The B. & O. B. B. will run their last excursion to Washington City on Thurs day, April 17. Bate, 9, and good to visit Baltimore. Limit, ten days. Trains leave 8 a.m. and 9:20 p. M. See the new styles of Paris Exposition awnings at Mamaux & Son's, No. 539 Penn ave., Pittsburg, Pa. No Plot! No Tears! ALL FUN! THE TRIO OF LAUGH-MAKERS, 14 HIS. HENSHAW -:- IV -:- AND TEN-BROECI Presenting Their Rip-Roaring Farce Comedy TWO OLD CRONIES. nwimm "Paris Exposition, 1889. JrCcirS obtained the only gold medal awarded solely for toilet SOAP in competi tion with all the world. Highest pssibk distinction? ILLUSTRATED BY A COMPANY OF FRISKY FUNSTERS, ODE SCREAM OF LAUGHTER PROM BEGINNING TO END, MORE FUH THAH YOU EYER SAW BEFORE. Replete with Charming Specialties ! Brimful of Laughs and Sparkling Musical Gems ! A Funny Entertainment. Ir" YOlJ COT Ljllip, p MY, KEW ADVERTISEMENTS. GRAND OPERA HOUSE Mr. E. D. Wilt, Lessee and Manager. RETURN. 8ix Nights, Wednesday and Satur day Matinees, lieqtuninir, Monday. April 14. DANIEL FROHMAN'S li bw York THEATRE WIFE COMPANY. Presenting the famous four-act so ciety comedy bv David Relasco and Henry C. De Mille. antbors "lord Chumley," "The Cnaritv Ball," etc. "THE WIFE" "THE WIFE" "THE WIFE" "THE WIFE' '-THE WIBE" "THE WIFE" Mrs. Berlan-Gibbs.as Helen, and Mr. Eovd Putnam, Mr. Henry Herman, Mr. 8. Miller Kent, Mr. Henry Talbot, Mr. Thomas II. Barns, Mr. C. B. IIeld. Mr. A. W. Gregory, Miss Frances Gaunt, Miss Ethel GreybrooKe, Miss Etta Hawkins, Miss Eliza Logan, Miss Olive DuntOD. "THE WIFE." TTXt' Tl?l?l A "" " " THE WIFE." "THE WIFE." "THE WIFE." "THE WIFE." ACT L Mrs. Ives' villa, Newport July. Tho amateur theatricals. The old affair. "The Lover." ACT IL Reception room at Senator Dexter's, Washington. February. Mrs. Dexter's ball. The quarrel. "The Husband." ACT III. Library in Rutherford's house, Washington, game evening. The inves tigation. The confession. "The Marriage Tie." (Midnight view of the Capitol.) ACT IV. Same scene. April. The ecllpie. The mission to St. Petersburg. "The Wile " Produced with all tho scenery and accessories made from the original models of Mr. W. H. Day. and detaU of rare perfection. REGULAR PRICES: 25c, 60c, 75c and $1. Next week Thos. W. Keene in repertoire. apl2-ll NEW ADVERTISEMENTS. EXTRA. BIJOU THEATER Week of April 21, The Romantic Actor, Robt MANTELL IN A MAGNIFICENT PRODUCTION OF THE "THE WIFE." "THE WIFE." THE WIFE." "THE WIFE." THE WIFE." WOLD 'S IS DM RESERVED SEATS. " J 0" DU &0C. APRIL 21 Robert Mantell in "Corsican Brothers." apl3-4 ALLEGHENY CITY. GEORGE CONNOR Manager. EDW. KEEN AN Business Manager. Week Beginning Monday, April 14. IN CURIO HALL. . Greatest collection of Wonderful, Amusing and Interesting Won ders ever placed on Exhibi tion in Pittsburg or Allegheny. THEATORIUM. World's Great Specialty Com pany No. 3, consisting of 20 of the Most Re fined Special ties. 20. For Particulars See Small Bills. Admission, 10c; Children, 5c. Coming Next Week Deitrich, the Great Spiritualist ap!3-95 Corsican Brothers Sale of Seats begins Thursday at 9 a. m. p13-3 MONDAY EVENING, APRIL 14. Matinees, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. THE NIGHT OWLS BURLESQUE AND NOVELTY CO. WITH NEW-FEATURES. THE SCULPTOR'S DREAM. Monday, April 21 Harry Williams' Own Com pany. apl3-2 Delhaner. tne Frog, Miss Annie Wllmntn, Mr. Sam Bernard, Miss May Adams, Mr. John B. Wills, Topack & Steele, La Forte Sisters, Frank O'Brien, Tne Volunteer Firemen, Lord Fanntleroy's Recep tion, and the new bur lesque Combination. TMPERIAIj HALL, Cor. Seventh are. and New Grant it. DANCING RECEPTIONS EVERY THURSDAY NIGHT AND SATURDAY MATINEE. "All the latest dances tiucnt." aplS-83 ALLEGHENY HISTRIONIC SOCIETY IN AMUNG THE BREAKERS, At Siztb Ward School Hall. cor. Washington and Chartfers, Allegheny, TUESDAY EVENING. APRIL 22, 1890. Reserved scats, SO ceDts. ,ipl385 NEW ADYER.TISE3IEXTS. EXTRA. GRANDopi!se Mr. tH D. Wilt, Lessee and Manager. COMMENCING MONDAY NIGHT, APRIL 21. Six Nijhts. Two Matinees. ME. ARIEL BAENEY PRESENTS MR. THOS. W. Supported by Mr. GEORGE LEABOCE: and a most excellent company of players, appearing in LOUIS XI. Sia , RICHARD ll!.SWAJS,aa RICHELIEU Wednesday Night, April 231 OTHELLO Th11"31? Night, April 2i Wednesday Matinee LOUIS XI Saturday Matineo SHYL0CK REGULAR PRICESWILL PREVAIL. Admission SI 00. 75c, 50c and 25c The sale of seats will open at the Box Office Thursday, April 17, at 9 A. jr. apl3-10 HARRIS' THEATER. feel CimemaiiiJIaMay, Aeril 14. Every Afternoon and Evening. WILBUR OPERA CO. -AND- SUSIE KIRW1N In the following repertoire: Monday Princess of Trebizonde Tuesday Bohemian Girl Wednesday... Grand Duchess Thursday FaDiayolo Friday Mascotte Saturday Matinee Bohemian Girl Saturday Night Princess of Trebizonde "Week April 2I-Lost in New York. apl3-Zl Tlj-ATINEE PRODUCTION OF ROMEO AND JULIET, By pupils of Curry School of Elocution and Dramatic Culture. Byron W. King, Manager and Instructor. BIJOU THEATER, APRIL IS, 2 P. ST. Reserved seats, 50, S3, 25 cents. Sale of seats opens April 14 at Bijou box office. Seats may to secured at the School of Elocution, Sixth st. 3013-111 "lUENTHER'S ORCHESTRA Furnishes Mnsic for Concerts, Weddings, Receptions, etc., etc. Lesions on Flute and Piano given by PROF. GUENTHER. 0Wood st Bel5-41 su THE DISPATCH BUSINESS OFFICE HAS BEEN EEMOVED To corner Smithfield and Diamond sts. mh9-U7 Hi C mm rx T 5.0fi5 w 229 mmu r r V 'I I Hi-$ SJ 'V'S ENS' SACK SUITS W, 6 to 4 25 -T """ v r .os i ,r ii " a ! n lff-SSffiK i '.3 I jH ' V rvyJPMC, CUTAWAY' SUITS S.to $3 v 1 S"r" rt . I MS tp k 'E W L V4 'SM 0 m m OUR NEXT Urri'O Wtuo ENDLESS Has Been Wrought at the Forge of "Honest Value," and Defies All Competition to Start a Link. Always remember there is one distinguishing feature about our House that lays it head and shoulders over all similar establishments in the State. It is the fact that so perfect, comprehensive and unlimi ted is our stock, there is absolutely nothing you can ask for found in any Metro politan City that we cannot promptly produce, at the XjO W ZEST jErXQ-'l J t-TTiC quoted anywhere in the trade. jL--'4 MENS Aj& .r1-4f ky Zgm? prince. jrzZZ---J vfeOAK CHAIN OF BARGAINS!! 3L Via?' i i USKY'S B Are You Anxious to 'Save Money In the purchase of an elegant Spring Overcoat or Stylish Spring Suit ? If"you are, don't waste time scouring the city, at the mercy of scores of Sharks, to get a low price. Come direct to us; you need go no farther for reliable goods, latest styles and lowest prices. We have thousands of magnificent Overcoats for you to select from, in solid colors and mixtures. Then we have matchless Spring Suits at all prices, better qualities than found elsewhere at one-third more money. Be advised. If you want the best Suit in town for the money either for dress or business purposes you'll find it here, and thousands to select from in Cassimeres, Scotches, Corkscrews, Cheviots, Tweeds, Tri cots, Hairlines, Bannockburns, Diagonals, Plaids, Mixtures, etc Make your mind up to find here all the latest styles, the very best of workmanship and lowest prices. W F.4r .2 rffl fc Vat Also Visit Onr Matchless Hat Department. You will find it filjed to repletion with the most correct styles in Men's Derbys, Crushes and Silk Hats; also the choicest assortment of Hats and Caps for Boys and Children. Not a few scattering styles selected alone for their selling qualities, but every style the most fastidious taste can desire. There are Turbans, Jockeys, Windsors, the English Derby, the Mikado, Yachts, Alpine, Mable, Newport, Sailors, etc. Also, the famous Nelly Bly Hat, that can be worn as a Hat or Cap, very popular and equally serviceable. Our stock of Children's Fancy Hats simply discounts the display of any other four stores in the city, and per force of our enormous sales none can approach our low prices. In Stiff Hats for Men we have the most extensive and stylish display. Bargains Unparalleled for Youth. Our Boys' and Children's Department is literilly teeming with everything new, cute, nobby and stylish in Juvenile Clothing. Never no fear of meeting with shelf-worn gar ments in this House. But you will find the latest and largest assortment that ever was seen in one stock -in Western Pennsylvania. Indeed, the best qualities and lowest prices ever placed before the public. 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S :Krsr s J8-Send your name and address for our ILLUS TRATED MONTHLY; Mailed anywhere regularly, FREE OF CHARGE, on application. .- CTti- m Jt' ' - ff, 'wsrr, u? . , n -I mxdf o nati3 l Jivii:ev en 1 JOtfnr.-rii b , mi ys5 ' 'Zt'J V Ji, 'yfj Ss n 9V $10 SEP uar- I .m rwm Iml Hli.fl I , p W ft .1 ws is uWW 1 a J L fiink Mi MM l mitrmX (zssu-m:, 1 " m'-wjr-e).ftg s nr airs:r fer-M :-' ,v-i 'fktaEnMlifr ytnfsw ZWsaWAT$QWkhK aiVsS. MmJcVfi'udi'f ijEliW.. Ah, il&CLki lii&aSl3teSa&. . a.-MttLM!uttJ I 5 B,iU BT-ffWMfWfrfl