Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-01-18
SERMON BRIEFS
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"'what is the Real Purpose Of Re.
ligion" was the question discussed in
strong and helpful sermon by Rev.
FISCHER of the Unitarian church last
evening. In part he said: While Ie-
ligion in it's highest sense may he
eternally one in essence and principle,
yet religions have been many and the
world, geneIslly speaking, seems to
still interpret religion by it's outward
form, rather than by the eternal one
ness thereof, and therefor we still
speak Of Religions
Let us also bear in mind that pro-
gressive growth is the divine law which
governs all life, and since religion is
part Of life this law also applies to the
latter.
In universe Of eternal change, fix
ity is unthinkable. Religious change
therefor is part of the divine plan.
Every race has stamped it's own
character upon religion, or better still,
in its forms and concepts Of religion
every race has reflected its own high
est spiritual ideals and aspirations.
Trace the beginning of religion TO
the first elemental forms Of primitive
man worshipping sticks and stones.
Then follow this same evolutionary
process up to our own day and what a
marvellous picture of embodiment you
will have.
The purpose Of all ancient and pagan
religions was the alteration and glori-
fication of mythical gods and god
desses, To buy the favor, or to placate
the wrath Of these mythical deities
with rich offerings, sacrifice, etc,
magical ceremony formed a prominent
part in all Of these forms and systems
Of religion.
If the Christianity Of Jesus came
"h9ht into this Darkness, will we
not be obliged, in order to fully com
| prchond the full beauty Of this blessed
light, also to acquaint ourselves with
the nature and character. Of the dark
ness, with the light came to destroyi
Whatever the purpose Of pagan re-
ligions may have been, the purpose Of
Essential Christianity Is the edifi-
cation Of "Man.p The great EN-.
phasis Of Jesus is Man, "rhat man
should have life, and have IL more
abundantly' is the passionate cry Of
his great heart. To liberate man!
TO set free the captive souls Of mont
To help men to find the path Of The
higher spiritual life, which is the life
Of libertyl To teach men the higher
truths, to reveal to men the higher
law, the fuller joy, the richer blessing
and power Of the this higher life Of The
inner kingdom2 What ever the specu-
lative thcologies Of the past may have
contributed to the Christian (O life,
the demand and tendency among ever
increasing numbers is for the higher
consciousness Of the spiritual life Of
freedom and deliverance, which, ac-
cording to Jesus, every man must find
within the "Inner Kingdom Of his own
Heart.
The real purpose of religion (pure
aud uudefiled (i), Is TO help men to
find within his own spiritual selfhood
the divine qualities OF godliness 20
manifest these graces of the spirit out
wardly, IN daily living, in human aseo-
stations, in social relations, that
"Peacc and Goodwill upon Earth and
among men might become an estab-
lishcd fact, rather than dream of
poetic fancy.
Essential Christianity means "life' :,
rather than Form of worship. II means
'Doing, rather than talking and
gaSDg9
The divine possibilities inherent in
man is it's great message to man, the
bringing forth Of these divine quail
ties Is it's real task ana purpose.
Mrs. NJ. G. Reed Of Portland, presi"
dent of the Womon's Home Mission
Society, Of the Oregon conference,
spoke at the First Methodist church
yesterday morning and In the evening
al the Jason Ice Memorial,
Mrs. Reed stated that the home mis-
sion work was Of great moment in this
country on account Of the great NUN
Der Of immigrants coming from Italy
and the south Of Europe. a generation
ago our immigrants came from tho
northern parts Of Europe aud were ae-
customed to some extent TO our ways,
but those from italy and Russia are
OF a different class and were IN
snecial need Of home mission work.