of an 'angel of light.' He can talk
religion. He can talk philanthropy. He can preach the most beautiful
doctrines. He can use the most charming words. At the very moment that
he is destroying religion and virtue, he can speak of them in the
highest terms, and even sing of them in the sweetest strains. He can
talk of liberty in the most swelling, high-sounding, and fascinating
style, while all the time he is making men the most degraded and
miserable slaves. He can lead people, singing and dancing, laughing and
shouting, through a philosopher's paradise, to a purgatory of guilt and
horror. And all the time he will preach to them the finest doctrines;
the most exalted sentiments. 'Religion!--everything is religion, that
is in accordance with the laws of our own nature, that is suitable to
our position and relations, that helps our brothers or our families. And
all truth is religious truth. All science is divine revelation. All laws
are God's laws, except the arbitrary laws of men. All work is divine
work, if it be according to nature. All useful work is religion.
Farming, trade, government, are all religion. So are waking and
sleeping. They are all divine ordinances; they are all divine service.
All good work is worship. Singing foolish hymns, reading foolish
lessons, preaching foolish sermons, offering foolish prayers, in
unhealthy churches, half stifled with foul air, are not religion.
Religion is the free and natural utterance of great, true thoughts, of
good and generous feelings, of nature's own rich sentiments and
inspirations. The flowery fields, the shadowy woods, the lofty mountains
are nobler places of worship than the dark and damp cathedral; and the
fresh air of heaven is a diviner inspiration than carbonic acid gas. And
the sun is a diviner light than waxen tapers, explosive lamps, or
oxygen-consuming gas. And the gorgeous sun-tinted clouds are grander and
more beautiful than painted windows! God's temple is all space; His
altar; earth, air, skies! His ministers are sun, moon, stars; birds,
beasts, and flowers. Nature is God's revelation; the true Bible; written
in an universal language; speaking to all eyes; needing no translation;
in danger of no interpolation, alteration, or mutilation. Man is the
true Shekinah,--the veritable image, the real glory, the true revelation
and manifestation of God. Man is the saviour of man: the teacher, the
guide, the comforter of man. Every one, male or female, is a servant,