The Charles Mix new era. (Wagner, Charles Mix County, S.D.) 1???-1911, 1909-07-16
RELIGION OF SOCIAL LIVING
By Henry + Con.

This commandment have We from
him that he who loveth God love his
brother also John 5:21.
The significance OF religion changes
according 70 the need OF the age and
The moral progress OF the world. Once
the emphasis was upon philosophical
forms, upon statements as 70 the De-
fly CT as to human destiny. later il
shifted 70 forms Of religious organiza-
items, In cur oE1 day 1t became NOR
81 and ethical, insisting that religion
liz valuslsss unless II produces vi-tu-
Gus lives. demanding character ss tba
proof u creed
But n0w svs2 the ethical emphasis
has . changed significance: ii is more
than a matter Of personal u~prighrnsss
1t is one OF social righlness. The vi--
tines OF the ideal man to-day are OF
the past, who could walk his solitary
path Of rec:itpde. whose Righteousness
vas between his soul and God alone.
Just as psychology knows no iDdi-
vl0ual, SO does religion. for none az
Is llveth 70 himself Men come 10 a
social realization Of themselves. The
study solitude gives place TO the bu.
mar fellowship, the brooding over per
Z faults and the lonely struggle
for Individual projections passes and
lis high passion Is satisfied in banding
ourselves with our fellows for the sal.
walton o. ths world.
There is one voice 10 which e~-
free soul responds to-day: IL Is that
which insists OF The claim OF ali the
lives about Us or our own lives the
sense Of common responsibility. All
who live in any large sense. who lift
mp the eyes and know the world as il
Is. know that they live IN z sociecy a.
parts Of society.
Such living involves religious obi.
cations II means that the higher life
must md expression through these re
auons 70 ali other lives. Social living
the death Of s~alhshness AZ he
Old soul-dwarfns individuality. Il
takes the from the old-ti1e throne
sets the All there.
Faith nowhere finds finer expression
IN the life that forsases self.
N order 70 serve another. that
nus says, / believe so firmly in the
eternal goodness. in the RICHNESS Of
his world dare cease 10 think OF my
'eil and even seem 10 neglect nv own
prosperity in order 10 make sure If
ne well-being Of my fellows.
Plety nee1 never fear that /. will
.ufer from TOO great practical mind
'dness OF this type. The people who
Varn US Of the danger of the spiritual
lie decaying in our Interest in social
Veifare are usually those who dread
necessity OF making practical
ROOT Of their professions Of religion.
I expressing their spirituality IN any
erviceable manner.
ne social interpretations of religion
10 MI mean the adoption OF any par
'cu1ai theory Of society: they do
neN1 fvl-g the life that is ours s.
4-laEVn OF the infinite In full CON
cioasnes OF all other lives. in rela-
OF live and service toward them
l recognition OF all their rights, In
he JOY OF wing with Others and low
ng them.
ne creeds of religion may lie be-
'ond our COMPREHENSION: its forms
lay seem meaningless 10 us and its
lhoaonai expressions repellent, but
iefe IS a form OF religion that all NAV
and Practice; here are re-
lgious acts that al ma do; they lie
ext TO Us in daily living, simple, usu.
easy done and vet far-resch,np IN
heir potency. The mystery of the
owe OF the MHt High will solve itself
a man gives himself to the owing
erFice OF his brother man.
II only for a while We Nigh. lear,
as wayof living. the way show nv
- lie bal gave itself in services -,
III lives If only we nigh, sse ne
'1si as he chance to love ana nal.
region as the eternal sn,r,, -
seeing the highest good for al
"oner would not be so much IN
le COG Ina would come to us =. !,
ne ne JOY and f~ullness In lirt,, NE
nrselss would find.