Semi=weekly graphic., 1897-04-10

to and answers the needs of humanity. He really represents an anthropomorphio deity, as sa many of us try to represent what we conceive to he God Jesna stands for humanitarianism and ideal morality. He is our spiritualized, glori i fled brother whom we would resemble if we might, and whom we elevate into the zenith of our affections and aspira- tions, He always typifies what is high est, broadest, grandest in our possible 1 selves, tho best that is attainabie ill our conception, and yet wholly free from oh- scurity or mysticism Who has ever heard any one complain that the nature of Jesus is uninteiiigible? No wonder that most Christians have turned from the idea of the Father to the rresenta- ton of fhe Son, the embodimentc Of char ity, the ultimate of benoficencc.
 The majority of thoughtful persons have ceased to ponder the supernatural, which defies Comprehension They arc employing themselves instead with the natural, still occupying immeasurable space and promising to clude complete apprehension for ages to come. Jesus will ever remain an ideal, albeit so very human, for man, strive as he may, dis closes at present no possibility of match ing him. But man, who has existed and improved for hundreds of thousands of years, will continue to improve for tens of thousands of years longer, backed by the law of eternal progress, and may finally reach the plane on which the good Jesus stands. Then he will have solved the mysteries of nature, and the supernatural, as now named, will be superfuous. The human and the divine will be absorbed in one another and will be virtually synonymous The plan and purpose of the universe will be in some manner disclosed, and faith be supplant- ed by knowledge This will be the spiritual requirement. long foretold by the transcendental
 Another reason, doubtless, why Easter appeals so much moro to the mass of Protestants today than it formerly did IS its immediate association with the doctrine of immortality The doctrine is the same that was taught 3 centuries since, but as time has gone ea the mere doctrine has become less abstract, more and more concrete, taking the form of feeling. The great majority of enlight- encd beings ill this era undcniably long for conscious immortality, in part be- cause life here has palled upon them, grown grievous to bear. Through science and philosophy having been made skep- tical of the future, they have us Il result been moro eager for it. While they may not believe at all in tho di- yinity of Jesus they identify him with the doctrine, and such is the incongruity of man they adhere to the observance of Easter because it ill some way an swers to what they suppose to be their psyehal need.
 Strictly speaking, Easter and all its concomitants belong exclusively 10 the Roman church. Its celebration is i'll complete harmony with it's rites and methods, which are opposed to the sim pier, severer creed of the Protestants. The Catholic church regards the in creasing love of form and display ill the heretical denominations as m evidence of their gradual return to the pristine fold, something of which it has never despaired
 At any rate it is easy to sec why, from spiritual and social reasons, the ceremonial observation of Easter stead fly grows i'll favor.
 JUN1Us HENRI BROWNE.