it for another not less so; hates the
error that it abandons, misconceives the one that it embraces, rejects
the truth that it is seeking, composes chimeras of discordant beings;
and thus, while always dreaming of wisdom and happiness, wanders blindly
in a labyrinth of illusion and doubt."

CHAPTER XXIII.

ALL RELIGIONS HAVE THE SAME OBJECT.

Thus spoke the orator in the name of those men who had studied the
origin and succession of religious ideas.

The theologians of various systems, reasoning on this discourse: "It is
an impious representation," said some, "whose tendency is nothing less
than to overturn all belief, to destroy subordination in the minds of
men, and annihilate our ministry and power." "It is a romance," said
others, "a tissue of conjectures, composed with art, but without
foundation." The moderate and prudent men added: "Supposing all this to
be true, why reveal these mysteries? Doubtless our opinions are full of
errors; but these errors are a necessary restraint on the multitude. The
world has gone thus for two thousand years; why change it now?"

A murmur of disapprobation, which never fails to rise at every
innovation, now began to increase; when a numerous group of the common
classes of people, and of untaught men of all countries and of every
nation, without prophets, without doctors, and without doctrine,
advancing in the circle, drew the attention of the whole assembly; and
one of them, in the name of all, thus addressed the multitude:

"Mediators and arbiters of nations! the strange relations which have
occupied the present debate were unknown to us until this day. Our
understanding, confounded and amazed at so many statements, some of them
learned, others absurd and all incomprehensible, remains in uncertainty
and doubt. One only reflection has struck us: on reviewing so many
prodigious facts, so many contradictory assertions, we ask ourselves:
What are all these discussions to us? What need have we of knowing what
passed five or six thousand years ago, in countries we never heard
of, and among men who will ever be unknown to us? True or false, what
interest have we in knowing whether the world has existed six thousand,
or twenty-five thousand years? Whether it was made of nothing, or of
something; by itself, or by a maker, who in his turn would require
another maker? What! we are not sure of what happens near us, and shall
we answer for what happens in the sun, in the moon, or in