Norwich bulletin., 1914-05-02

There is a touchstone in the moral world, however, which can be found and which fulffls all expectations. It actually transmutes the base elements of human nature into pure gold-and the name of it is love. Henry Drum mond once wrote a remarkable little essay on what he called. '"The Great est Thing in the World" The title has quite justified itself to millions of men and women who share the con- viction of Jesus of Nazareth, Paul the Apostle, and of myriad beautiful souls who have lived since, that of all the forces with which our lives are con- versant, love is supreme.
 When the evangelist sought a defi- milton of God Himself he could do no better than to name this regal quality. Seeking to comprehend the divine na- ture he thought not of power, justice, wisdom, cunning, nor of a score of other qualities the world has held in respect, but of love. God is love-" he said. Love among men is but the re- fiection of that divine image in which We are fashioned, a trace of the pres ence of Him who is Father of our spirits.
 It takes but half an eye to see that naught but love will ever make of this world a real brotherhood. Nothing else will ever cause men to live to- gether in peace and harmony. Selfish ness is in essence antisocial, the principle leading to isolation. It drives men into warning quality, the princi- pie leading to association and broth erhood. The absence of love would
 mean for the race a retreat back into barbarism, while the presence of it helps make this earth an Eden like the heaven above.
 The jealousy, bitterness and discon- tent of life pass away when love en- ters the field. You can do a great ! many things under it's inspiration that | before were so hard as to be practi-
 cally impossible. A profound principle is wrapped up in a very simple stanza: I met a slender little maid, rosy burden bearing;
 | '1s 1t not heavy, dear?' l said as past me she was hurrying.
 i She looked at me with grave, sweet l eyes, this fragile little mother 1 Ard answ cred as in swift surprise: i ''Oh, no, sir, it's my brother" It is not hard to serve those we love. ! Affection eases every burden and ! transforms duty into delight. |
 The law of love is the sole condition
 of an abiding social order. Under its l sway the employer will not grind down 1 his employees nor the man at the bench
 cheat the man who hires him, In my own sincere desire for my neighbor S l welfare I will neither oppfess, rob, nor | vilify him; and he will mete out to me the same kindly treatment
 Love Is not to beidentified with any mere sentiment whim or passion. It may include these things at times, but i Is always infinitely more than any of ! them, To love my neighbor does not l imply that I must cherish for him a tender passion, find him at all times a congenial comrade, share the same pleasures or think the same thoughts No one is commanded to change his
 native tastes, Love is the sincere de-
 sire and purpose first. last. and all the | time to seek the welfare of those | about us, nor is there any other force | named among men that will ever sub-
 due our meannss, eradicate our sell
 fishness. and bring about the age ot
 gold.
 ! THE PARSoN.