THE OLD SECULARISM 5 



morals it has no message respecting the great problems 

 of theology." 



With regard to immortality, "The mere naked belief 

 in it may be entertained by a Secularist without any 

 detraction from essential Secularism ; but the very 

 moment it interferes with the principles of Secularism, 

 that very moment the doctrine of a future life becomes 

 pernicious ". 



" Similarly with the belief in an intelligent controlling 

 Power in the universe, Atheism and Theism are alike 

 distinct things from Secularism. They have no relation- 

 ship whatever to the practical duties of life." 



" In Secularism there is a mutual platform for Atheists, 

 Theists and Pantheists, for all, in fact, who have fully 

 recognised t/ie Universality of Causation^ the Supremacy 

 of Reason and the Independence of Ethics on theological 

 dogmas!' 



Such is an outline of the main contentions of the 

 older Secularists ; and the first question which naturally 

 arises in one's mind is : What is the motive power for 

 obedience to Duty spoken of? — for such seems to be no 

 more than the laws of the land or the Decalogue enforced 

 by punishment if they be violated, such being social 

 laws. The answer Mr, Foote gives is : " To the charge 

 that Secularism is cold and dreary, devoid of feeling and 

 imagination, we reply, The history of humanity lies open 

 to us as a rich treasure-house of noble example and 

 generous inspiration. . . . From the history of every 

 heroic martyr to the cause of truth and human deliver- 

 ance we receive sustenance, inspiration and hope. Our 

 cheeks tingle and flush as we peruse the page which 

 records how noble sufferers have laid down their bodies 

 in the breach in order that others might use them as 

 stepping-stones to final victory over error and wrong. 



