ce." I notice also
that he speaks of Freethought arguments or objections as "short-sighted
folly" and "sheer nonsense." I judge, therefore, that "reverence" is not
intended by Mr. Blomfield to be reciprocal. He claims a monopoly of it
for his own opinions.

If he would only take the trouble to think about the matter, it might
occur to him that "reverence" is not, properly speaking, a preliminary
but a result. Let us have inquiry and discussion first and "reverence"
afterwards. If I find anything to revere I shall not need Mr.
Blomfield's admonitions. I revere truth, goodness, and heroism, though I
cannot revere what I regard as false or absurd. "Reverence" is often the
demand that imposture makes on honesty and superstition on intelligence.
Long faces are highly valued by the professors of mystery.

Mr. Blomfield did not hear my lecture. Had he done so he would have
found an answer to many of his questions. It is all very well to bid the
Ipswich people to "Beware of false prophets," but it is better to hear
before condemning.

How much attention, Mr. Blomfield asks, am I to give to this world and
how much to another? Just as much as they deserve. We know a great deal
about this world, and may learn more. There are plenty of guesses about
another world, but no knowledge. It is easy to ask "Is there a future
life?" but we must die to find out. Meanwhile this life confronts us,
with its hard duties and legitimate pleasures. It is our wisdom to make
the best of it, on the rational belief that, if there should be a future
life--which no one is in a position to affirm or deny--this must be the
best preparation for it, whether our future be decided by evolution or
divine justice.

Mr. Blomfield's arguments against Utility as the test of conduct
were answered in my lecture. He says the principle is of difficult
application. So are all principles in intricate cases; why else have
Christian divines written so many tons of casuistry? In any case the
Utilitarian principle is the only one which is honored in practice.
Other principles do very well on Sunday, but they are cast aside on
Monday. The only question asked by statesmen, county councillors, School
Board members, or other public representatives, is "Will the proposal
tend to benefit the people?" This can be debated and settled. "Is it
according to the will of God?" is a question to set people by the ears
and raise an endless quarrel.

Mr. Blomfield says the fear of God