The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-04-15

THE
1t is the fashion to call this a material
istic age, an age of reason; and some who
apply these terms do so proudly as IL they
were bestowing highest praise on the men,
tai qualities of those whose thought to a
degree characterizes the time. They place
the practical. the argumentative. what they
are pleased to call the common-sense view
OF life. higher than the spiritual and re-
ligious position, and, because of the abso-
lutte freedom of speech and a drifting away
from certain minor orthodox beliefs, aver
that the world is coming to the level of
the ~agnostic who says he believes nothing
which he cannot prove, nothing which he
does not know through the medium of his
five senses. Such theories are but SUPER
fetal. 1t is in truth a practical age in the
sense Of being concerned with arts and
sciences, with manufactures and the gen.
eral evolution of elemental matter into
products for mans use and benefit. Doubt
less this absorption in material concerns
has its effect on things of the spirit. but it
is a mistake to assume that the spiritual
life of this age is less deep or less potent
than formerly. The opposite, on the con-
trary, is no doubt true. 1t is not a time
when saints retire to cells or to caves and
remain in absorbed contemplation of their
own virtues or frailties, but it is a time,
unquestionably, when men are taking more
thought in behalf of their fellow-creatures
than was ever the case before In the history
of the world. 1t is a time when public and
private charities abound, when no form of
suffering is allowed to go long unrelieved.
when constant effort is made to extend
mental and moral enlightenment into all
parts Of the earth. Is all this solicitude
for others, this altruism, an outgrowth of
only exist in connection with a belief in a
higher life. But higher life is not neces-
sarily a future life? True, but as the man
rises above the gross physical level he en-
tiers a more spiritual atmosphere, and as he
advances he comes to know that there is
something better still further on. He can
not prove it; he may even take the attitude
of the agnostic and say that he does not
know; he may even talk loudly of reason
and it's conclusions; but, nevertheless, he
has faith, perhaps secretly, perhaps uncon-
s~ciously-that this life does not end all, and
manifests his faith by his works. He will
not put his hand on his heart and swear
that he believes the human soul is snuffed
out when the breath ceases. for in his heart
is the ineradicable conviction that this is
not the fact.
In spite of himself he has faith. The
doubling Thomas wished TO touch the
wounds of the risen Christ. but, in secret,
he, no doubt, accepted the conviction of
the other disciples. He wanted proof, how
ever, and proof was given, though it was
the others to whom the Master said:
Blessed are they who have not. seen and
yet nave believed" To the modern doubter
proof is also offered If he will have it, if
he will open his eyes and accept with all
it's meaning the wonderful miracle of
spring.
To-day is commemorative of the resur-
rection. 1t comes at a time when earth
symbolizes that tremendous event in the
outbursting of bud and flower from their
winters grave. 1t is a time of new life
which was the old; it is a time of transfer
nation, of renewal of all forms of exist
ence lower than man. Dull, indeed, is the
sense, feeble the spiritual understanding
which, in all these marvels, fails to see a
promise of TRANSPORTATION for the human
creature.
Shall man alone, for whom all else re-
wives,
No resurrection know? Shall man alone,
Imperial mani be sown in barren ground,
Less privileged than grain. on which he
feeds?"
The instructive answer of every heart is,
no. Faith is the substance of things hoped
for, the evidence of things unseen" and
faith calls for acceptance of the Easter
miracle, of which the lilies are a symbol.
as evidence beyond all denial. Millions more
than those who, this morning, bow their
heads before the altar of the risen Lord
have faith greater than they know.