INTELLECTUAL INDEPENDENCE.
WE regret to say that there are but few, comparatively, who are independent in their thoughts. That class who make it a virtue to differ with every one else, are the slaves of caprice and vanity, instead of intellectual freemen. True intellectual independence no more disregards historic facts, scientific truths, and reason's gems, than political liberty defies law, order, and justice. Children generally regard the opinions and theories of their parents as being as precious as their birthrights. It is true that the opinions of the aged, experienced and wise, should have their proper influence; but is it proper that intellectual identity should be given up? To the Great Teacher, we are responsible for our faith and opinions. Can we transfer those responsibilities to another, or must we stand for ourselves, approved or condemned? How can we determine how we would have others do unto us, and the consequent duties which we owe to them, unless we think for ourselves. Intellectual slavery prevents the free exercise of the intellect, and of course, the mental improvement resulting from such exercise. Another evil resulting from this mental servitude is, that it regards hoary headed doctrines, however erroneous, and long established usages, laws, and institutions, however bad, as sacred relics of the past; not to be changed or even questioned. By it demagogues control parties, and lead them to the support of measures inexpedient, or positively wrong. It forbids the Bible to the common people, or imposes the opinions of councils, priests, doctors, or reverends, on them, as possessing almost if not equal claims on their minds and consciences. The reverend divine stands before the people and saith, "thus meaneth the Lord," and they answer, yea. The son believes what the father does, the father believes what his pastor does and the pastor has made it his business for years to believe what the fathers thought the apostles believed. When this tyranny enters the moral world, it exalts human notions and human laws above divine authority and divine law. It suppresses the verdict of reason, and stifles the convictions of conscience. How ignoble it is to yield to slavery, that intellect which kind heaven gave thee to improve. Let us listen to advice, revere the opinions of the wise, examine evidence, keep both ears wide open to the voice of reason, and carefully avoid a stubborn spirit; and yet be independent. Let us examine the ground on which we stand, even if it hath the land marks of the fathers upon it. Give us a little originality of thought, shake off the yoke of mental bondage, and be a man—an intelligent thinking man. You owe this to yourself, to the author of your being, and to the cause of mental progress, and mental liberty—Chris. Tel.