The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-05-10
ON SECOND THOUGHT
BY JAY e. HOUSE
(From Philadelphia Public Ledger.)
Advising a Clcrgyman.


PHILADELPHIA clergyman has writ
ten the column a letter incloslng
list of questions for which he asks
answers and definitions He says very
truly that "A minister often Is isnor-
ant as to the real thoughts OF men
with reference to matters that seem
of great Importance to him." Proba-
bly, he did not expect or intend that
we should answer his QUESTIONABLE
here. Likely the letter we received
was only one of many sent out.
Doubtless all he expected was that we
might write him a letter expressing
our opinions and beliefs. But religion
lis very important thing, and there is
no reason why it should not be dis
cussed ir full view of the audience.
So the clergyman will pardon us If
we make our reactions to his letter a
public matter.
What" he asks as his first ques-
ton, lis your definition of religion ?"
Religion, it seems to us, is the faith,
belief or thing that gives to its pos
SCISSOR comfort and solace here, assur-
ance as to the future and the con-
seriousness of right doing.
Most persons need something to
lean on; they need a God and faith.
If it gives them peace, comfort, as
surance and consciousness of right, it
doesn't much matter what it is.
There are those who have no God
and no faith. They have, instead, a
philosophy of their own which salts
flies.
If it satisfies, that is their religion,
and it is all they need.
1t seems to us the important thing
is that no mans God be taken from
him.
Strip a man of his God and he is
nake,l.
The clergyman puts this as his Sec
ond question: AS you note the forces
that are contending in society. are you
optimistic rs to the future of human
institutions? Your reasons?"
We are not exactly optimistic. Ours
is not ana optimistic nature; but we
are satisfied.
Humanity moves forward inch by
inch. Often its progress is impercep-
tible to the human eye, but it does
move.
Within the span of our memory
and were as young as we ever were
1t has grown cleaner, saner, broader
minded, more tolerant, more careful
Of its obligations and more decent to
its kind. 1t is better educated, the
average of intelligence is higher
There will, however, never be any
general agreement as to what is right
and what is wrong
The controversy as to what is moral
or immoral in human habits and prac-
-ticeS will always be virulent.
There is, of course, no connection
between morals and religion, but the
two are hooked up in a confusing way
in the human mind.
A mans morals are what he is and
they are gagged by certain human
standards, most of which are disputed
by somebody. His relgiontis what he
believes and what he leans upon.
eff there were no churches in Phila-
delphia, would We help build one, and
why 81
Likely We should not circulate the
subscription paper, but we'd give
when it called. At any rate, we al
ways have.
We'd give it because humanity needs
the church The church is its ark of
refuge. without the church it would
wander unhappily and unconsolably in
the valley of despair.
Whatever the hereafter may dis
close, the happiness and consolation
the church provides to those who
journey thru the wilderness OF life
may not be underestimated.
For his fourth question the clergy
man asks IF you were minister,
to what would you devote most of
your thought and -enegry ?"
The clergyman, if a profane COM
parison may be instituted is confront
ed by the same sort of task as the
columnist.
Nobody can tell him what he ought
to do or how it should be done
He's got TO figure it out himself
1t is largely a matter of Personality
and of rounding life's corners easily
He should not attempt to put too
much thought or energy into it.
Too much thought and too much
energy handicap a man in dealing
with humanity.
He becomes jug-handled in his
views and loses his ability to kid"
himself.
A man who takes himself too serf-
ously can't do much with humanity at
close range.
The. fifth question is, Please put In