The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-08-18
THE SUBSTANCE or RELEGTON.
Tho Meaning OF ''sonslhp" and 'Fatber.
hOOd."

Lis y Invitation NU 4 Hk ClN Va 0ui1 sI
was that abe universe offers 10 It's human
children the widest range and highest reach
OF good from bodily comfort MP to social
affection, moral achievement and spiritual
satisfaction; that for all these prizes there are
afixed conditions. obedience to which Is the
price OF attainment: that among the chief
conditions are that man shall Loyalty accept
and ardently follow the obligations OF truth.
courage. chastity. love. and all the qualities
which by common consent We call goodness or
virtue, and which the long and general expe-
rlence Of mankind has confirmed rs OF sound
est worth and highest authority. Fidelity 10
this moral law, pursuit OF moral perfection.
Yields a peace and satisfaction which We
accept as an indication that thus we best fulhl
our own part in the universal order. We
perceive that this order includes not only the
material processes which are accessible
through sense-knowledge. but also a spir-
itusl realm. which We inhabit and recognize
in all cur conscious experience-pein and
pleasure. Joy and sorrow. hope and fear. love
and hate. sin and holiness. This Interior
sphere. untranslatuble and unthinkable In
terms OF matter, We naturally regard as no
less wide than the universe: Just as mans
body Ia the symbol and instrument Of his
conscious self. 80 may the whole external
world be the symbol and instrument or an
indwelling spirit. In our exalted moments
we seem conscious OF an intimate and inspir-
ing union with the universal spirit. We name
IL God" When no such high consciousness
Is ours-and with the most faithful and for
tunate II must be Intermittent: to many even
OF the true and loyal It Is almost unknown
when this exalted sense Of a divine presence
is absent there remain to us sure resources.
Always there may be moral fidelity: always
Intelligent compliance with what we under
stand OF the conditions surrounding us:
always the open eye. the helpful hand. the
sympathetic heart. These we know are our
right and normal attitudes. Through them
We can always maintain an intelligent and
rational relation with the universe encom-
passing us and the power which snimates IL.
When that relation Quickens into vivid con-
seriousness. when humble duty glows as ODE
dience 10 Il Fathers will, when earth's face
shines like the illumlned face of n friend.
when IN the patient acceptance OF disappoint-
Inent. loss. bereavement, there comes to us
an absolute tranquility AZ in the fulfilling OF
IA Will better than our best: wlen our poor
them a force like the Atlantic behind the
waves on the beach, then we may count our
selves blessed But when no such emotion
comes to us, always we may set ourselves to
fidelity. service. reverence, aspiration. These
are the essentials OF religion.
To this general effect l tried to express
myself in my last letter. 1t brings a reply.
the outcome perceive OF a genuine and deep
experience, from a woman who finds my
lest conception OF God, she writes, was de-
rived from a human fathers tenderness. and
the Interpretation his own character gave 70
his children." This Conception she saws,
means TO- her faF more than "obediencs and
a grim philosophy for most Of us poor NOR
tails" And she touches on a passage in her
with hesitation, TO cite. because it is good 20
know OF such things. In the first days and
weeks following a great shock and grief. when
L woke In the morning with a heart like lead
and distress that l cannot describe, there
seemed to descend into my room. day after
soothing and comforfiDe and mpliftins that
II had been a Hebrew of old ! should have
said l saw a cloud that contained God Him
part there came TO me this blessed presence.
too powerful to have emanated from nv
other experiences which have been very real
to me. and different from this one"
This she tells with difldence lest to meit
i i%ay but nt' anrsai'r R Rafher eP I iisaie elut TO Il
reverently and thankfully. not only az touch
significant il is TO me- a fresh chapter in
the great Scripture which records mankind's
most precious experiences. had such in
religious attitude men have had countless
experiences Of strength under weakness,
i should like this correspondent to know that.
whether | make my own view ineligible to
her or not. that view has ample room for such
part Of Its very substance. And then she
will perhaps listen while l suggest the value,
s smara iT9 aSe hfT aSbpSis1cs OF any my tSs sn 81
what else | have said.
She would, doubtless say that this sacra-
exceptional in her. own experience. She
would probably believe that anything even
Unknown to a multitude OF people. and TO
many very good people. Now for the un;
illumined. unlnspired hours and days and
and still more for the great company to
whom the vision IL never granted, we must
a tSosss sp% n rs iniSsaa must DrSSs s what We oT can G Soid
sure and steadfast.. when there, Ia no opening
OF the heavens, And what thought better
Thought Of moral ,deiity just doing what
seems right here and now. and blending with
i the tsmpsr OF human sympathy. Of admirs-
reverence and aspiration? Obedience, sym |
patty. reverence. aspiration-these we need
of the soul. through which always the divine
light shines. the doors through which some
times heavenly guests. may enter.
That the guests may come not only unex-
pected bu. seemingly. UNLIMITED. as in my
correspondents case, with no effort or out
81 the most impressive Indications thai, Il il
truly "a power not ourselves which makes
, tsSg,d felt c Within st u.s. = .I Rrnsssr 20 and 1Sv e., f tss S.O Of
helpful. But otter. the inshinins is as unsi-
hour a human friend steps upon the scent.
But IL seems to me the teachers and admin
i~strators OF religion have devoted themselves
too much 70 the cultivation Of the vision"
and too little to. conduct. Nothing 10 more
evident and nothing more wholesome than
the growing disposition of the churches to
emphasize the ethical. element, Surely the
ethical element Is the basis and condition Of
eVCrything in religion that is worth seeking. |
No one has tau ght that more clearly and
emphatically than Jesus.
Then It may be said, why not couple
with your ethics the other great teaching OF
Jesus. and say simply. and directly, that God
Is our Father? That name. of the divine
Fatherhood is dear to the worlds heart. and
as a figure II is almost inexhaustible In sig |
niicauce. But let us recognize that IL 10 a
figure and not a literal statement. To quote |
Nj tthew Arnold's phrase, 1t isa word thrown
out" at Its object, q partial and not a com
plere statement OF the relation between the
divine and the human. Do you say Il is,s
hcatioE' But i we do take It literally there
Is cndless confusion and trouble. Many q \
child, following In all simplicity the teaching |
giveL 1t, has asked Of its Heavenly Father |
Just as it would ask Of an earthly father, and
Its grievous disappointment. has sometimes
made all religion seem unreal. know some
people who are always looking to nnd in the
course OF their own lives q visible providence 4
like that which a human parent gives: ] say
fare looking" but perhaps were" is the right
word. for the inevitable disappointment and