The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1913-11-07

eenerdl su pJeC'
und er considera-
tion, is most practical and timely.
This text suggests religion, the re-
lieion OF him who spoke the words,
and we desire TO insist that this re-
ligion should be the supreme thing In
life, its lack being promptly acknowl
edged.
The apostle James does not give
definition OF religion when he says
pure religion and undefiled before
, God and the father is this. TO visit
the fatherless and widows in their af-
Fiction, and to keep himself unspot-
ted from the world" Two elements
OF religion only here appear. that
which is broadly called charity, which
with many is nothing more than al
truism, and separation from the
world, which has been designated re-
cerrly as aloofness. In religion there
Is something that is positive. II must
go beyond kind deeds to the needy.
and retirement from the world.
great theologian defines religion as
the sum OF the relations which man
sustains TO God, and comprises the
truths the experiences. the actions
and institutions which correspond to.
or grow out OF those relations.
AS thus defined religion must be
the supreme thing In life. This life
may be of the community for no com
munity realizes the acme OF social
happiness unless II is in corporate
way respectful TO the elements of re-
ligion just presented; but we desire
10 place the emphasis on the indi-
vidual life We would not do this be-
cause we ignore community life, but
because reaching the individual lives
that make the community we reach
the community in a way that is In
fir.tely more satisfactory than by
reaching II In its corporate capacity.
We would not confuse any individual
by calling his attention to religion as
supreme in the community, but as su-
preme in himself.
The first reason for this is that
God commands II as in the text an
nounced, as creator, preserver, daily
benefactor and guarantor OF blessings
on man, the value OF which cannot be
measured. This right OF God 10 COM
mand Is denied by many. and not
even a word OF thanksgiving for the
daily blessings OF life, nor prayer
for their continuance is heard. ex-
cept from very few.
The universal belief in the immor-
tality OF the soul OF man puts en-
phasis on the value OF the perma-
nent Religion directly affects the
permanent. II emphasizes that which
is beyond this life, yet one OF the
strange things OF human experience
IS that multitudes come TO the end
OF life as II there was nothing be-
yond. The old prophets prepare 10
meet thy God" is not n mere matter
OF historical interest, It should ring
in the ears OF every living man and
woman. After death there is judg-
ment appointed OF God. and the
Judge has likewise been appointed.
But what are the issues OF Judgment
In short, heaven and hell. Yet bow
cynically these great facts are thought
OF and spoken about. but religion pro-
vides for the winning OF the one, and
escaping the other. II heaven and
hell are myths. there must be a -
vision not only OF the teachings OF
Jesus Christ and his apostles, but OF
the moral philosophy OF all the ages
II these great facts OF the beyond
we're more permanent element IN
the evangel OF the day. that evangel
would be far more effective.
Another reason why religion should
be supreme is that the worry OF men
importance would disappear In
close connection with this text Jesus
spoke OF the anxious care for food
and clothing. That Is what is eating
out the life OF multitudes today
something entirely unnecessary. II
religion is made supreme. food. cloth.
ing. housing and the like. will be add
ed by God God sees TO II that those
who obey his command, and recognize |
the purpose OF their being are pro
vided for. for as Father he knows
that men have need OF all these I.
things. and yet supplying them he |
never puts a premium on laziness OF
unthrift
The word first as used here may be |
taken FIRST as referring 20 interest or
concern. At this point even a little /
thought as 10 what religion can DO |
for man would Increase this concern. !
But the word may mean first IN time. /
and the text might be- paraphrased IN |
this way. become religious BY taking /
the initial step OF believing In Jesus
Christ. and do II without a no-
ments delay.