Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1926-12-23
RELIGION AND LIFE
(Bv Rev. A. II. Rapking)


morning, and l find myself IN the
train going up across the state of
Ohio. The thermometer registered
seventeen this morning. Ice and a
light coat Of snow cover the woods,
hills, and valleys. The streets and
roads along the way are covered with
a glare of ice which makes travel on
them very difficult and dangerous.
My experience in Ohio is proving
very interesting and helpful. Daring
the last ten days, have attended
twenty meetings and delivered twenty
messages. After having delivered
messages in forty-nine counties in
West Virginia, l know what to ex-
pect in the way of interest ON the
part of the people. The interest and
appreciation of my written and spo-
ken messages have been constant
inspiration TO me during the last sew
en- years. To find this same interest
and appreciation here in Ohio moves
me to be profoundly grateful for a
kind providence that helped me to de-
eide to give my life to the country
people. My experiences here in Ohio
strengthen my faith in God ana man.
/ believe that there is new and
more intelligent realization coming to
the people concerning the place of
the spiritual matters and larger Wis
ions of the possibilities of cooperation
with the infinite. 1t seems to me as
| stand before the people thai / can
see hungry look in their eyes for
food that helps to meet their spiritual
needs.
Man is SO created that the material
alone will never satisfy the i-lmost
longings of his soul. As instinct
guides the robin to the southland fol-
the winter and back TO the north for
the summer, so the best in man urges
him to look heavenward and call God
Father" and live as obedient sons
and daughters ought to live.
| believe that Americas greatest
need is that of an adequate philos-
ophy of life. A philosophy ia which
au tomobiles, good roads. movies, and
radios, ETC., will be given their .oper
places, but will not be the dominant
factors "a philosophy that will hello
men to rise above the material and
view life in terms of that far-otf di
vine event"-a philosophy that will
help men to be conscious of the fact
that divine, eternal life is pulsating in
their souls as they give their lives in
service in helping The Creator and
Sustainer of the universe in the reali-
cation of His purposes and plans for
the individual, the nation, and the
world.
America now is like an adoIescent
boy with physical powers well devel-
oped while the spiritual capacities
and possibilities are largely in dor
mant stage. Of one thing | am con-
Ildent, and that is if America does
ever achieve her highest and best and
make her best contribution toward |
world development, the country
people will do their full share. / wish |
that / could have this same confidence
IN the folks who live in the cities. Per-
maps if | could spend more time with I
hem, my confidence in them would I
Increase. There are many very fine
soiks who live in the cities, bu, too
many, | am afraid, fritter away pre-
'ious time and energy as they play
ridge and hug other mems wives and
on the dance floor, while
he souls of their children are starv-
nG for honestto-go goodness mothers
love-love that realizes
nat children have spiritual and NOR
Il needs as real as their physical and
needs
The thought of how many parents
re the great factors in bringing up
piritual illiterates 4leves me, and
eel that the parents who live a ma
alialistic, short-sighe selfish life
re tie greatest factors in keeping
america from being what the best in
IS in country or city would have a.
aerica be.
The train moves on, and rs seal
ne envelope and send this message
n its journey, feel that | am send
ne forth part Of my life, praying
hat it may help TO enrich your life
5 the giving of this part of my life
cooperation with BIN VINO Knows
nd loves us all, has enriched nv life