can keep their minds shut. I cannot; I must share my intellectual life
with the world. If I lived a thousand years ago, I might have
collapsed at the sight of the burning stake, but I feel sure I would
have deserved the stake.

People say to me, sometimes, "Why do you not confine yourself to moral
and religious exhortation, such as, 'Be kind, do good, love one
another, etc.'?" But there is more of a moral tonic in the open and
candid discussion of a subject like the one in hand, than in a
multitude of platitudes. We feel our moral fiber stiffen into force
and purpose under the inspiration of a peril dared for the advancement
of truth.

"Tell us what you believe," is one of the requests frequently
addressed to me. I never deliver a lecture in which I do not, either
directly or indirectly, give full and free expression to my faith in
everything that is worthy of faith. If I do not believe in dogma, it
is because I believe in freedom. If I do not believe in one inspired
book, it is because I believe that all truth and only truth is
inspired. If I do not ask the gods to help us, it is because I believe
in human help, so much more real than supernatural help. If I do not
believe in standing still, it is because I believe in progress. If I
am not attracted by the vision of a distant heaven, it is because I
believe in human happiness, now and here. If I do not say "Lord,
Lord!" to Jesus, it is because I bow my head to a greater Power than
Jesus, to a more efficient Savior than he has ever been--Science!

"Oh, he tears down, but does not build up," is another criticism about
my work. It is not true. No preacher or priest is more constructive.
To build up their churches and maintain their creeds the priests