Mischief III.—Disqualifying the Intellectual Faculties for Purposes Useful in This Life.

There are several modes in which religion tends to unfit the mental faculties for the promotion of the mere temporal happiness of mankind. Considered with reference to a posthumous existence, indeed, which divines justly regard as far more important than the present, her influence may be highly beneficial in qualifying us for the lot there to be page 84 awarded. But these magnificent promises cannot be realized without a transient loss on this preparatory state—and amongst all the modes in which this loss is incurred, few are more serious than the disqualification of our intellects.