Natural Evolution of Human Religions.

There are periods of infancy, adolescence, maturity, and drivelling old age, in the life of all human religious as well as in that of man. In infancy they are subservient to their parentage: kicked and cuffed by persecution. In adolescence pleading by apologies for bare toleration. In maturity persecuting in their turn the young scions of thought for non-conformity to their useless ceremonials and vain, stupid, dogmas. And by this shall all men know them. For the great eternal truths of heaven-born pure and undefiled religion never yet engendered enmity in a human heart. They are not religious who believe in religion, those who practice it are alone entitled to be called so.