The root of all tyranny and oppression, of all social and human ills, is found in witholding from the masses of each community mental culture, or knowledge that may be conferred on all. --Rd. Carlile. Atheism leaves to man reason, philosophy, natural piety, laws, reputation, and every thing that can serve to conduct him to virtue; but superstition destroys all these, and erects itself into tyranny over the understandings of men. --Bacon. A healthy poetic nature wants, as you yourself say, no Moral Law, no Rights of Man, no Political Metaphysics. You might have added as well, it wants no Deity, no Immortality, to stay and uphold itself withal. --Letter from Schiller to Goethe. Never to blend our pleasure or our pride With sorrow of the meanest thing that feels. --Wordsworth. * A Bouquet Garni is a little bundle of herbs, some bitter some sweet, but all salutary. THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION I. A PROFOUND change has taken place in the world of thought, The pews are trying to set themselves somewhat above the pulpit. The layman discusses theology with the minister, and smiles. _Christians_ excuse themselves for belonging to the Church, by denying a part of the creed. The idea is abroad that they who know the most of nature believe the least about theology. The sciences are regarded as infidels, and facts as scoffers. Thousands of most excellent people avoid churches, and, with few exceptions, only those attend prayer-meetings who wish to be alone. The pulpit is losing because the people are growing. Of course it is still claimed that we are a _Christian_ people, indebted to something called _Christianity_ for all the progress we have made. There is still a vast difference of opinion as to what _Christianity_ really is, although many warring sects have been discussing that question, with fire and sword, through centuries of creed and crime. Every new sect has been denounced at its birth as illegitimate, as a something born out of orthodox wedlock and that should have been allowed to perish on the steps where it was found. Of the relative merits of the various denominations, it is sufficient to say that each claims to be right Among the evangelical churches there is a substantial agreement upon what they consider the fundamental truths of the _Gospel_. These "fundamental truths," as I understand them, are: