Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1910-04-22
THE FRUITS OF CREEDs,
By Henry F. Cope,

II SOES'
Il will show thee my faith by my
works. james, IL, IS.
That which is true of men is true
also of their creeds in at least one
Respectfully must be known by their
fruits, by the effects of which they
produce. The final test Of a creed is
not whether it remains in precisely
the form in which it was held by
those who claimed for it a special
revelation, but whether it is produc-
ing worthy results to-day.
How much better is our day for the
creeds proclaimed to it? What effects
are coming from the defense of the
faith so far as the problems of hui
man misery and need are concerned?
The solemn words have been recited
and their significances expounded for
many a thousand Sundays from many
a pulpit. Is life richer, sweeter, kind
lier? Are men juster? Is the hypO-
critic hated and the oppressor cast
down as a result?
The creeds have shed more blood
and cost more human treasure than
any other modern motive or cause.
They must justify themselves in the
life Of to-day. Unless some one shall
show us the vast human Importance
of knowing exactly the intricacies Of
ancient and subtle philosophers we
may learn to ignore them all and go
straight ahead with the business Of
trying to make this a better world
to live in.
It IS easy for many in sonorous
tones to recite their faith, with nice
| attention to the least syllable and
with a sense Of valiant willingness to
defend it's last iota, and then go out
and grind down the face of the poor,
make themselves strong out Of the
weakness Of others, and turn the
heart of devil to the appeals of COM
mon humanity
The trouble with such confessions
of religion is that they have not
enough contact with real living, not
enough concern about real things to
make man feel their bearing on his
life. They are guilty of limitation
to speculations and analysis of the
Deity instead of indicating conduct,
inspiring to right relations and noble
doing Of duty in and amongst human
ity.
The market and the shop are the
/ places where the real creed is writ
ten; all the rest spoken, sung, or
printed, may be but empty words. A
| mans actual beliefs are wrought out
in the stress Of life. He may take
the name of the Most High on his
lips with accents of reverence and
yet demonstrate by his dark creed
that he believes only in the worth and
power of the devil.
AS we lay our hands on one an
other, as we mark our ways through
life, as we leave the impress of our
selves on others, we are writing our
real creeds. High heaven laughs at
our foolish mouth1ngs of words and
watches the way we go and the works
we do, for these prove the springs Of
our lives, these reveal the things we
deeply, truly believe.
If a man says, Il believe in God, the
Father" then he will surely live as
one who knows that he is in a great
family, that the universe is a home
and not a jungle; that in the end
truth and right and goodness must
PREVAIL that the only way of living
is that which brings us all up closer
to the face and glory Of that which we
call God.
It would be good thing to turn
from looking back over our creeds to
Of thnir foundations 70
take a good, long. clear look to make
sure of their fruitage. Have they any
effect on my life? If they have not
they are drying up the very heart
within me every time l utter empty
words.
Ask, if there is any good in me, to
what creed is it due? To that which
I repeat in the name of religion or
to that which | am working out
through life's lessons? What are the
things | cherish most? What is the
purpose of all my striving? Where
lie the deep springs of conduct? To
answer such questions is to uncover
our dominant beliefs.
The creed to cherish is that which
gives strength for worthy living; that
which impels to the realization of our
best at any cost, that which bears the
fruits of godlike kindness, love, and
hope for all our fellows; that which
best helps us to make true, present,
and actual the dreams and passions
that lay behind the ancient words of
faith and bring to pass the good of all
our great family here.
VICTORY OVER TROUBLE.
Bv Rev. James E. C.. SAWYER. D. D.