Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-12-24
The Times-Dispatch Sunday
Sermon
THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
Dy j. 4. lGubRnk.

by J.. a. EubRnk.
And the scribe said unto Him, Well Mas
ter, Thou hast said the truth: for there is
enc God: and there Is none other but He; and
to love Him with all the heart, and with an
the understanding. and with all the soul. and
with all the strength. and to love His neigh
Dor as Himself, is more than all burnt offer
inSs and sacrifices. And when Jesus saw
that. He answered discrcetly. He said unto
him. Thou art not far from the kingdom OF
Cod.'--Marl xii 32-l4.
Here is your true religion, simply and force
fully defined. 1t requires no elaborate inter-
prcta tion-it is self-cxpoundinE when the
individual becomes imbued with its spirit and
obcrs the instructive urge. he Is well on his
way in the kingdom Of Cod"
The scribe who questioned Jesus for tho
purpose of confusing Him. and COMPUTING Ills
TEACHINGS. designed to put life and shirt in
the religion Of tho Jews. had a comprchen-
sive knowledge Of the funda mentals of that
religion, q
He knew the meaning of the various types
and symbols that were employed in exempli-
fying its teachings.
lie understood the purpose of the elaborate
system OF doctrine and the polity Of the
church resting thereupon--that primary re-
'IGion--aii roliGion--ncant an effort TO fathom
the mysteries Of the unknown tina, the hu-
man race might find fuller development in
adjusting itself to the will of the Supreme
source of Power. about which so little was
then known and so little is sim known
Jesus confirms the statement that this scribe
n"d made good progress toward developing
lifc for it is stated that when lie saw that
the man had answered discrectly, H.. said
unto MN, Thou are not far from the king
dom OF God"
The mission of Jesus was to bring men
INTO this Kingdom. To make His mission n
success II was necessary that die instruct
them that II was theirs for the taking OF /,
purpose to To hri,,
all of its units into harmony with the uni
rersai law Of developing Infinite life.
lie realized that the scribe had the words OF
the law OF life and harmonious progress fixed
III his mind but he was not obe,iient to tho
urse-he was 10th to respond to the essential
teaching that love God can only lie ex-
pressed in terms OF love. in acts OF Kindness
and hclnfulness. to his fellow man. His re-
iieion was religion OF lip service with the
soul OF the law left out Of It,
Jesus realized that the highest ideal FOR
human Intelligence is to dcvclop Individual
intellectual and spiritual power to a degree
at which il may unite with tho FRS, Cause
in complete realization that the union has
increased the usefulness OF the First Cause.
The ancient conception Of "A futur. life as
sumed a Deity with a low level Of Intelligence
not complimentary I" His ascrib"d powers
No w"ll-d"velopcd mind can contemplate with
satisfaction "a future existence other than one
of continual growth. such "a mind may dis
p"nse with details Of this future growth
hut every one needs to in il a real reason
Tor living the best life possible on earth. In
other words, shall aspire to helm God
grow. There is no prospect OF usclessncss idle
ness or loneliness in such future Mans
pinnacle is ultimate conscious union with
God. under the law Of evolutionary dcvelop-
ment.
Humanity" says Charles f. rarrinGton
lhs'lhctlNcIy seeks communion with the Great
II with adulation and sacrifice. Modern intel
lectuality. save when bound by the shackles
OF tradition rcvolts at the use of those print
tive methods. Vet the highest inteIcc, still
seeks IN" ovcr-Soul and needs to lean upon .,
power greater than itself. 1t needs to listen TO
the great appeal that has so long been made
by DEITY that men shall aid Him In His
growth by promoting love and justice. in each
persons immediate environment, Men need
TO consider every aspect of The great appeal"
Or. G. ". Eliot president emeritus OF liar
ward University. in AN address some years ago
suggesting what the religion Of tn. future
would h", made some observations respecting
us helpful activities thai already coming
into realization.
Love and hope" he SAYS are very insuir-
ing sentiments and the religion viii
strengthen them. 1t viii foster a new virtue
the i"V" of truth. The end ~ All re-
l.gionS and philosophy is to teach man 10
serve his fellow man. and this religion win du
This increasingly 1t will not be hound by
dogma or creed; its workings viii he simple"
hut It's field ~ action lmitless. It's discipiln.
VIII be the training III The development OF co.
operative 600" VIII. There already
many signs OF extensive co operations: de-
m"cracy. indiv.dualiSm. dcalism a tendency
10 welcome the new and preventive medicine.
Finally. believe the new religion will mak.
Christs rclcvations seem more wonderfuI shan
to us
~, Of