I. Among the causes of a sceptical spirit I may assign the first place to that natural reaction against authority which results when the understanding is first emancipated from the control that restrained its free exercise during the years of earlier youth. Authority is the guide of childhood. There is in the child no prejudice, no reluctance to be taught. He is quite content to take his opinions upon trust. But the time arrives when reasoning at second hand no longer suffices us. As we acquire the power of thinking for ourselves we become also desirous to do so. And it seldom happens but that in the process we begin to doubt of what we had hitherto regarded as indisputable truths. The development of our physical powers brings with it exactly the same kind of temptations as the evolution of our intellectual faculties. The time comes when the child feels his powers expand, and when the spirit of self-reliance which the consciousness of strength and vigour inspires would make those checks and restraints to be impatiently borne which were submitted to without reluctance before.
II. Scepticism possesses an attraction, especially for the minds of the young, from an idea that it indicates strength of mind. They feel that to be superior to vulgar prejudices is something to be proud of, and they fancy that they exhibit the greater power of mind the more they can overturn of what has been established before. I believe there is no greater mistake than this. Faith is the chief power which can effect anything great in this world. When it rises to enthusiasm, it has wrought wonders and revolutionised human affairs; but even in its ordinary sober form strong conviction and consequent readiness to act on that conviction it is that which gives a man power to do anything great himself and to influence others. Scepticism is the absence of this power. It may be a thing deserving sympathy, or tenderness, or pity; but it certainly is not a thing to be proud of.
G. Salmon, Sermons Preached in Trinity College, Dublin,p. 130.
Reference: Ecclesiastes 12:13; Ecclesiastes 12:14. H. Wace, Contemporary Pulpit,vol. i., p. 106.