The Rev. William Barnes Lower writes this telling illustration:
The dredging-machines at work deepening the channel of the
Delaware River are bringing to the surface all kinds of junk and
implements lost or thrown overboard from ships. All kinds of
tools, brass and copper are being found and sold as junk.
Every life carries with it, some more, some less, a lot of
worthless junk--old superstitions from which it is hard to
break away, old prejudices that have hindered the progress
of the soul and should have been thrown overboard long ago.
Superstition is the greatest burden in the world. The imaginary,
scarecrow superstitions of many homes is the worthless junk,
that is a dead weight to its spiritual and intellectual
progress. Superstition is the disturber of many homes. Very
often superstition parades itself under the guise of religion.
Superstition is the one swing of the pendulum, skepticism
believes nothing. Prejudice always arises through inexperience
of the world and ignorance of mankind. In any life it is as
worthless as old junk.
(1704)
=Just Punishment=--See _Boys Adjusting Their Troubles_.