The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-02-04

Editor OF Inc C0ngresattonanSt
MISUNDERSTANDING is the
1V1 fatal tragedy of life. 1t would
be found, we believe, to underlie
more unhappiness and spiritual dis
aster than any other single cause.
II enters into what might be the
happiest situations in home and So
ciety, and it disrupts these rela-
tionships with irreparable violence.
There is in the world great deal
of selfshness and a great deal of ill
will, however, much we may strive
to gloss over or conceal the most
Objectionable aspects of human ma
ture and action, but the tragedy Of
misunderstanding is that so often it
makes it's subtle power of destruc-
ton most manifest under circum-
stances where a good understand
ing would result in the most holy
and happy experiences.
The causes of misunderstanding are
many, and its manifestations vary.
1t enters into home and family re-
lationshipS. 1t breaks the bonds of
communion between husband and
wife, and oftentimes a foolish 81
lence, or a misplaced and unfortu-
nately expressed sensitiveness, are
the roots from which it springs.
Frankness Helps
There are few circumstances in
life where franknesS and openneSs
of mind and spirit cannot help the
situation. misunderstanding arises
between parents and children, and
too often it is allowed to establish
a chasm so wide that it is never
bridged. 1t enters into all the en-
vironment of religion.
1t is a fruitful source of trouble
between ministers and their peo-
pie, and oftentimes an outsider can
see clearly how this trouble arises.
not from real causes, but simply
from a seeing of certain facts and
circumstances from different points
of view. 1t enters into the conflicts
Of religion, between new and old,
conservative and progressive, and
here also it invades the sacred re-
lationships Of family and friendship
One realizes the pathetic misun-
Outstanding that lies back of such .
statement as Paul made concerning
his own faith and life in Christ.
After the way that they call
heresy." he said, $50 worship I the
God of my fathers" In how many n
young life struggling for light and
liberty has that been true!
How Jesus Suffered
Our lesson reminds us how Jesus
himself suffered from misunder-
standing. The religious people of
the day failed to understand him.
Not all of the scribes and Pharisee5
we're hypocritical or even conven-
tional, but in the glimpses that we
nave of such religious leaders as
Nicodemus we see how difficult it
was for many of the best disposed
Of them to understand Jesus.
He was misunderstood by his own
disciples. How pathetic to see one
who had come in the spirit of such
self-abnegatiOn and utter abandon
ment Of love for humanity contem-
plating within his inner circle the
quarrels of disciples regarding
places of position and preferment.
He was so misunderstood by those
of his own household that he said
at one time, "a mans foes shall
be they of his own household"
And here IN our lesson we have
brought before us this crucial mis-
understanding of his friends They
said HE is beside himself" 1t was
bad enough to be prosecuted by his
enemies, but what tragedy in this
that the hottest and best of all
should be regarded by his friends
as mad man.
Friends Attitude
And this attitude Of his friends
extended to the misunderstanding
On the part of his fellow country
men. Instead of being impressed
| by the wonder of his teachings and
his works, they we're offended. They
could not understand how one from
MOTION
SNla9SS A. I'M