CHAP. V.] NEW ENGLAND FANATICISM. 79 



habits of judging and thinking for themselves ; in fact, they arc 

 ill educated. Instead of being told that it is their duty care 

 fully to investigate historical evidence for themselves, and to 

 cherish an independent frame of mind, they have probably been 

 brought up to think that a docile, submissive, and child-like def 

 erence to the authority of churchmen is the highest merit of a 

 Christian. They have perhaps heard much about the pride of 

 philosophy, and how all human learning is a snare. In mat 

 ters connected with religion they have been accustomed blinclly 

 to resign themselves to the guidance of others, and hence are 

 prepared to yield themselves up to the influence of any new pre 

 tender to superior sanctity who is a greater enthusiast than 

 themselves. 



