The review. [volume] (High Point, N.C.) 1908-19??, 1917-12-13

\saSss s 1851 substance or things
hoped for, the evil
y dence of things not
SEEN" and Paul had
far deeper insight in the spiritual
lie than most mortals. He was,
perhaps closer to the fountain head
of spirital uplift than falls to the lot
of most people, but we have the as
surance that it is possible for every
one to get close enough to receive d
benefit. There has been a standing
Invitation for nearly 1000 years
and whosoever will may come"
and it holds as good today as when
it was given, and it is up to you and
| to accept or reject it, for we will
surely be judged according to the
deeds done in the body. But in the
mad rush for worldly gain, for finan
cial and social prominence, we are
apt to forget our duty. to forget that
the same power that. gives us this
day our daily bread" can withheld
it, and often does. Sin never paid;
it may prosper for awhile, but retri-
button will come as surely as night
follows day, and what does it profit
a man if he gains the whole world
and loses his own s0ul?" 1t is
serious matter, worthy of serious
consideration and true, serious re-
lieious convictions will obViate it all
if properly applied.
1t is a common thing, however, to
bring toge' her two conditions which
may be nisconstrued, the religion
Of the heart and the religion of the
lead. One has Our conduct and our
temporal dusies to handle, the other
with the supernatural and the future
life, ard is a branch of knowledge
Religion Should be and is a safe
guide, will prove a great comfort and
not a source of anxiety or angry
argument. Don't persecute for re
i6lOD' sake; it impli-s belief ia
jealous dIety, but 10 your best to
arrive at the truth. To take on a
spirit of unrest OF halt between two
opinions is sure evidence that you
doubt the goodness of God. True re-
ligion will cultivate and develop a
spirit that Will form the highest
possible conception of God. There
are many men and women who
make themselves miserable trying
to solve the theological problems
that would in no way add to their
happiness. 1t takes long and hard
application of mind and thought to
master even a part Of the intricate
elements of theology, and even at
that the chances are that you could
or would not use it, for theology is
a most obtruSe science. And bear
in mind that as long as we honestly
wish to arrive at the truth, rest as
sured we will not be punished for
unintentional error. Th7 Sermon |
on the Mount has very little theol-
ogy in it, or in fact any part Of the
Gospels. 1t was the aim and duty
of religion to have peace on earth
and good will toward men,"
How much misery and trouble
could have been averted had Europe |.
been satisfied with the Sermon on
the Mount. Many things have been
mistaken for religion, selfshness es-
pecially. Then we have fear, hope,
love Of music, art, and many run
after Christ not for the miracles but
for the loaves and fishes In many |
cases religious differences are mere
ly verbal. 1t is said that on one &C.
caSiOn when Dean Stanley had been
explaining his views to Lord Bea- /
consfieId, the latter replied: "Ah, Mr..
Stanley, that is all very we'll, but
you must remember no dogmas, no
deans" To lose such deans as
Stanley would be indeed a great
misfortune, but does it follow? Re-
ligion, far from being built on dog
mas, is too often weighted down aud
crushed by them, and no one will
doubt that Stanley did much to
strengthen the Church of England,
and if we must admit that many
points are still and probably long
will be involved in obscurity, we
may be pardoned if we indulge our
selves in various speculations both
to our beginning and our end,
Unfortunately we often attempt
to offset the. Wickedness of life by
purity of belief. 1t is nothing short
of a vain and fruitless effort to JUS
tlfy Our action.
To get right, to do right, to stay
right, is the ladder which leads up