580 Sectarian Morality contrasted with the [September, 
system of instilling the terrifying propaganda of half- 
civilised Palestine into the fresh intellects of children of the 
nineteenth century (aided by solemn music and ceremonial*), 
beneficially affeCted to an exceptional degree by the inculcation of truth, can- 
not fail (unfortunately) to be injuriously affeCted to a corresponding degree by 
the infusion of error. The greatest cruelty is to teach a child an untruth ; the 
disastrous effeCt is not lessened by its being unintentional. And when the fal- 
lacies are numerous, of unlimited scope, and imprinted on the brain with the 
greatest solemnity and ceremonial, the effeCt is necessarily proportional thereto. 
The child rendered melancholy (in proportion to his intellectual powers of 
realisation) by the perpetual oppression of monstrous and supernatural beliefs, 
which disintegrate the mind, and cut off from the opinions of the intellectual 
few, naturally judges of the world by his surroundings. Finding no sympathy, 
and believing himself isolated in his opposition to these doctrines, the suspicion 
of madness may at last present itself, the more he reflects and tries to recon- 
cile the impossible. And this may be the end finally attained (as is known to 
have occurred in many cases) under the utterly reckless system that prevails. 
The miserable excuse of benefiting (!) society by the system has been urged in 
palliation, just as if it required an array of argument to prove that error must 
inevitably do harm to the whole bulk of society which it affeCts. 
* It was remarked, on the occasion of a recent change of political rulers, 
that a certain proclivity existed towards the adoration of the alphabet, such 
that “ a square inch of title was sometimes balanced against a square acre of 
brains ” (in influencing choice). If this be true, can we wonder that a vest- 
ment, combined with a sanctimonious tone, should often have more effeCt than 
plain and unadorned logic, and should even be capable of going far to supply a 
deficient foundation of faCt. Such is the limitless absurdity of the habits of 
thought capable of .being drilled into the brain in childhood (and strengthened 
by the principle of inheritance through generations), against which reason may 
protest in vain. 
A passing reflection may even possibly not be wasted on the faCt that the 
irresponsible representatives of the alphabet domineer (in a special House) 
over the elected representatives of the nation— a state of things which it will 
be admitted (as palpably self-evident) no one in his sober senses would ever 
have dreamt of originating in the present day. It is simply a case of habit or 
custom transmitted down to us, and kept up by modes of thought inculcated 
in early infancy, the custom itself having been originated by persons of whom 
it may at least be said that they stood somewhat nearer to their probable 
Simian progenitors than we do. So difficult is it to uproot a custom or a tra- 
ditional belief when once it is set ; and this faCt is one of general application. 
The fallacy resembles in some respeCts a bodily infirmity, transmissible (or 
affeCted in some degree) by inheritance, being no doubt connected with a defeCt 
— or possibly torpid state— of the brain, which, like any other part of the or- 
ganisation, is known to be subject to the laws of descent. It is true that a 
particular brain process termed “ reasoning ” (when persistently and actively 
entered upon) can obliterate the defeCt representing (say) an unfounded secta- 
rian belief of long standing, and the physical effect of a paragraph of plain 
logic on a brain may be like that of a scalpel on any other part of the organ- 
isation — in regard to the temporary pain caused and the permanent benefit 
secured. Thus, by a single beneficial surgical operation of this kind, an error 
or unfounded belief transmitted for centuries may sometimes be eradicated. 
While the accumulation of error is in general slow, its destruction may be for- 
tunately rapid. It may occupy but a short time to remove a tumour which has 
taken perhaps centuries to develop. A single great and original work [of course 
fitly received by a scream of opposition at first, since antagonism to set habits 
of thought is the principal value of originality] has been known to change the 
character of a nation within a relatively short period ; as nations, it is said, 
are moulded by their greatest minds (of which their character bears the 
