The Penn's Grove record., 1912-06-07

HOUR
The Fruits of Creeds
By HENRY F. COPE

NJ tHcJ musl DS huo"H W
As their fruits, by the effects
which they produce. The
1nal test Of a creed is not whether it
remains in precisely the form in which
It was held by those who claimed for
t a special revelation, but whether it
IS producing worthy results today.
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
a misery and need are concerned?
The solemn words have been recited
and their ~signifcances expounded for
many a thousand Sundays from many
a pulpit. Is life richer, sweeter, kind
lter? 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 today. Unless some one shall
show us the vast human importance of
knowing exactly the intricacies Of an
cient 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.
1t 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 de,
fend its last iota and then to go out
and grind down the face Of the poor,
make themselves strong out Of the
weakness of others, and turn the heart
of a devil to the appeals of common
humanity.
Lack the Essential Things.
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 a mar feel their bearing on his
life. They are guilty of limitation to
speculations and analysis of the Deity
instead of indicating conduct, inspir
ing to right relations and noble doing
of duty in and amongst humanity.
The market and the shop are the
places where the real creed is writ,
ten; all the rest, spoken, sung, OF
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 another,
as We mark u ways through life. as
we leave the impress Of ourselves on
others, we are writing Jul real creeds.
High heaven laughs at our foolish
mouthings 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 81 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.
Make Sure of the Foundation.
1t would be a good thing to turn
from looking back over our creeds to
make sure of their foundations-to
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
or 10 that which l am working out
through life's lessons? What are the
things l 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
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