The Scriptures are, with those of his faith, only “the _paper and ink_ relics of Christianity,” (_Ib._, p. 21); which they regard as “a foundation as impermanent as the changeful sand” (_Ib._ p. 24), and not adapted “to the wants or requirements of the nineteenth century,” _Ib._ p. 26. They reject Him, whom they style “the cruel and capricious God generally worshipped by the Bible Christians,” _Ib._ p. 47. “The Jewish God,” says Davis, “is cruel, capricious and tyrannical,” whose “kingdom is more despotic, and more contracted in principle, than the present government of the Russian empire,” _Ib._ p. 61. He adds, “The Old Testament idea of a Deity is the outgrowth of the despotic stage of human mental development,” and “a superannuated monotheistic conception,” _Ib._ p. 62. In their opinion, “the developments of republicanism, and of mental happiness among men, depend very much upon the _absence_ of these dogmatical compilations, or fossil relics, of an old Hebrew and Chaldean theology,” _Ib._ p. 70. With them “the Bible account of creation is a very interesting _myth_,—mainly a plagiarism from the early traditions and cosmological doctrines of the ancient Persians and Chaldeans;” and, instead of being “a divine revelation of truth,” is “a pagan relic, which should no more command serious respect than the ancient doctrines of Fetichism,” _Ib._ p. 90. These “Harmonial Philosophers” are antagonistic to the teachings of Jehovah in nearly all their theological notions. They scout the idea that any actual evil exists in the universe. They deny the existence of the devil, and of evil spirits. “Everything,” says Davis, “is forever progressing in goodness and perfection,” _Ib._ p. 180. The salvation of all men, is with them as certain as the operation of fixed laws. They recognize no Saviour and no atonement in their system of faith. The teachings of spirits, and “a certain organization of labor, capital and talent,” they fancy, “will effect the desired cure” for all actual or supposed ills, _Ib._ p. 178. They recognize no responsibility in the sinner, but attribute his wrong-doings to ignorance and accident; and their laws of right, are the dictates of their own wisdom.