“A singular forgetfulness is sometimes noticeable in quarters where one would least expect it; that the education of an immature mind, and the prosecution of a scientific inquiry, are two perfectly distinct things; that the former requires faith, the latter skepticism; and that while the former is the work of the church, the latter is the work of individuals. Thus the Duke of Somerset goes to church, and finds an ignorant generation reposed in a paradise of illusions, while its more learned and thoughtful progeny is excruciated with doubt. In vain preachers now exhort to faith. The Protestant oftentimes takes up his open Bible; he wishes to believe; he tries to believe. All these efforts avail nothing.” Christian Theology and Modern Skepticism, 1872.

“The Duke and the Protestant are simply trying to do two things at once; and, naturally, Professor Huxley is tempted in the same direction.” Lay Sermons. “But then he is keen enough to suspect some absurdity in the position, and honestly proclaims that the army of liberal thought is, at present, in very loose order; and many a spirited freethinker makes use of his freedom mainly to vent nonsense.” Lay Sermons.

According to the above quotations, if it is wise to be skeptical, to be ignorant is bliss.

Give me a “paradise of illusions;” let me repose in them; if I am disappointed in the end I shall fare as well as the skeptic, with this difference, that in case there is any hereafter, I shall know that in my ignorance I lived a life of blessedness with reference to the now experienced eternity; while, in case there is no hereafter for us, we shall just be equal. Again I repeat it, let me have the side where I take no risks when viewed from the skeptic’s standpoint, and where I can “repose in a paradise of illusions,” in preference to the skeptic’s excruciating doubt.

But we shall not be disappointed. Neither are we necessarily a generation of immature minds. We are willing as a whole to compare with non-church going people as a whole. And we are further conceded to be the happiest people in the world, unless you can find a people happier than those who “repose in a paradise of mental illusions.” Yes! But we shall find in the end that it was neither ignorance nor illusion, but the wisdom of the wise. Let us continue thus, to live.