THE CHINESE PHILOSOPHER AND RELIGION

 

"We do not make much of religion as it exists on earth; creed and form are things of no value to us. But we do have at all times a feeling of reverence for, and frequently a desire to worship, the Great Creator. We see so plainly here the moving Power behind all; we see so clearly that the design is planned to make man the culminating figure in the great scheme of things; and we realize so thoroughly the joy and beauty that accompanies man's progress; that we feet we must give thanks for the wondrous things that pertain to it all.

 

"We do not have churches and congregations; we do not have ministers who pray and preach dogma and doctrine; but we do have great leaders who give much of their time in explaining and counselling concerning the progress of the human soul toward its ultimate goal. This goal we do not know. But we do perceive that it leads us more and more, closer and closer, to the Infinite Power that spreads like a protecting cloak over the entire universe.

 

"we feel many times that we do not deserve all the blessings that are poured out upon us; we feel so keenly the graciousness of the Great Spirit in allowing us to partake of all the joy and beauty, that we are filled with thankfulness,—sometimes almost overpowering us and compelling a prayer of gratitude for it all.'

 

"We have many philosophers who try to expound the mysteries of the future, we have a few mystics whose souls cling to the unutterable things which they believe await them; but with most of us, we are satisfied to move along quietly, filled with a contentment that is never marred.

 

"You will hardly be able to fully understand it until you come. In the busy material life the soul usually fails to comprehend the grandeur of the Creator's great plan. You may at times think you have glimpses of this plan, but they are reflections only; the full light never reaches you. It is something to feel that there is a Creator; it is a pleasure to imagine there is a plan; but the full significance awaits your arrival on the spirit plane."

 

Then our leader added:—

 

"Mary says she has wanted to give something like that several times, but never seemed to be able to put it in words. We do pray here, we do worship, we do feel thankful for the many wonderful things which fill our life. But it is so unlike the churches there with their form and ceremony, that we hardly think of calling it religion; yet it is the very heart and soul of religious experience."