The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-06-19

age he will be able, through some magic
ranssubstantiation, to make it a vital
part OF his own thought. This is like
loading his stomach with food, which he
cannot digest, under the delusive hope
that he may be able to digest it when he
is man. 1t is forcing the mind to move
painfully forward under heavy weight,
instead of running, leaping and flying un-
der the Indictment of it's own energy"
And again, by forcing upon the child
life that is foreign to him, we SOW in
weak natures the seeds of Journalism and
hypocrisy, and 30 antagonize the strong
natures that we tempt them to become
intellectual and moral outlaws"
The use of the positive is as beneficial
in religious training as in any other.
"rhink on what is good, and you will
not do what is bad" says Lubbock; aud
from the New Testament we have,
Whatsoever things are true, whatso-
ever things are honest. whatsoever
things are just, whatsoever things are
pure, whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report. or
have any virtue or any praise, think on
these things" Christ's use of he posi-
tive stands out in vivid contrast to the
negative OF the Old Testament ideas.
"a new commandment l give unto YOU,
chat ye love one another; as have loved
you, that ye also love one another. By
this shall all men know that We are my
disciples. il ye have love one to an
other" 1t is do thou" rather than
"Thou shalt not" Of the old command
ments. DO justly. love mercy. walk
humbly," is good foundation for future
faith.
Charity is one element of religion that
the child may learn by imitation. Again
in "The Use of Life" Lubbock says: "If
we are sometimes disposed to complain
of othere, we should remember that If
thou canst not make myself such an
one as thou wouldst. how canst thou
expect to have another in all respects
to thy liking. and even it we have cause
of complaint we are to forgive as we
hope to be forgiven"
Froebel says of religion: early work
guided in accordance with it's inner
meaning. confirms and elevates religion.
Religion without industry is liable to be
lost in empty dreams, worthless visions,
idle fancies. Work and religion must be
simultaneous, for God, the eternal, has
been creating from all eternity in
other words. man must work out his
own salvation" pure religion and un-
defiled is to visit the widow and the
fatherless, and to keep oneself unspot
ted from the word" Visiting the widow
and the fatherless is typical of large
class of benefcent action. 1t means the
practice of generosity, unselfishness,
sympathy, protection for the helpless,
and tenderness toward the weak. 1t
means feeling of brotherhood for the
entire human race.
What shall we teach the child about
God when we think that the child is
ready to know about the great force
that rules the universe? Introduce the
child to God first as creator, Won
der-worker. The child loves worker.
a creator. When the child begins to be
conscious that things made have a
maker, he begins to ask of every new
thing, "Who made it?" He may some
day ask, who made the trees?" Your
answer, God made the trees" will start
a new train Of thought. and he will try
to find more things that God has made.
Leave the child to see what distin-
cuisines the things God makes from the
things man makes. Give the child a
seed. plant it on cotton, on water, and
watch its growth. Take the child to
see man make something, a loaf Of
bread, a horseshoe, house. Give the
child dough or putty or clay and let him
make. Do not consider the child's re-
marks about God in any way irreverent
The little soul is cropping for understand
rial world. A little child in kinder
garten made with his blocks what he
called a man, saying Now | am God
He was not irreverent; he saw his own
momentary likeness to God. He was
getting into sympathy with one of Gods
attributes through his own creative
ability. IF the child queries, where is
| God?" IL want to see God" you may
say, mo one sees God. Our eyes are
not made to see God, but we can see
what good worker God is" Through
the wind and the effects of it's force, the
child can be taught that there are
things unseen, whose effects we may
still see.
The child feels that his father and
mother are sufficient as protectors and
givers. Many man has been ruined
by too great dependence upon God.
The child WAS voicing one of G DDS own
laws who said. that he always said his
prayers when he went to bed. but not in
the morning, for any smart boy could
look out for himself in the daytime.
God has given US powers that he ex-
poets us to USE; he does not wish his
children to run to him for things that
they can do for themselves Deeds are
good pray ers. Instead of praying for
nealth, keep Coos laws and you will be