There are large numbers of people perpetually bemoaning our
degeneracy, and sighing over the departure of the “good old
times” of our early American life. The reason of the present
distressing state of affairs I heard explained not long ago. One
man thought it was because all the “good old doctrines” were
nowadays not preached at all, and the other was equally sure
that it was because they were preached all the time. Never was a
grander fallacy than this whole idea. Never was more ignorance
of the past displayed than by those who talk of the falling
away of modern times. Never was the Church so bright and fair
as now, and never did the sky of the future redden with a more
glorious promise of the coming day. In those “good old times”
men lived under the horrid shadows of frightful superstitions.
Now it is to modern science only that we owe our emancipation
from the yoke of this awful tyranny. Scientific explorers have
been over the earth; and finding no mouth of hell, that is gone.
Science has explained earthquakes and volcanoes, and now devils
fight no longer in the bowels of the earth. Etna and Vesuvius
are no longer vent-holes of the pit. Astronomy has shattered
the follies of astrology; and people have found out that the
stars are minding their own business instead of meddling with
theirs, and eclipses are no longer moon-swallowing monsters--are
only very natural and well behaved shadows. Since psychology
is studied we know that witchcraft is folly, and insanity only
a disease to be treated and cured. Thus science--like a mother
going up-stairs to bed with her frightened boy--has been with
her candle into all the old dark corners that used to make
us creep, and cringe, and shiver with terror.--MINOT J.
SAVAGE, _The Arena_.
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