Article January 23, 1915 Issue

People have differed about almost everything involved in...

Judge Clifford P. Smith

Pittsburg (Pa.) Dispatch

People have differed about almost everything involved in the destiny of mankind, but there is one point on which thoughtful men are quite generally agreed. This agreement is upon the possibility, for each and every person, of a larger and freer life. Those who call themselves Christians, although they differ widely with respect to the meaning of what he said and did, unite in believing that Jesus of Nazareth actually knew and taught how to gain this true and abundant life. Among those who believe on Jesus there is also a growing recognition of the fact that Christianity has not yet accomplished what he predicted for it.

To any thoughtful and observant reader of the four gospels, it should be quite evident that the Christian religion has not yet wrought the changes in human life which its Founder declared would follow its acceptance or practice. There is still a wide difference between the fruits which he said it would bring forth and the results that are to be observed in the lives of its adherents. He declared, in effect, that the truth which he taught would give joy and peace and power over evil, with health and freedom and life that is not subject to death. It must be admitted, however, that these qualities of being are exhibited by professed Christians only in a measure; some of them are usually sought through other means, while some of them are not expected presently at all.

For the failure of Christians to get the distinctive results of Christianity, there are two possible explanations: either Christ Jesus claimed too much for what he taught, or his professed followers have failed to grasp its true and full import. As for the first of these explanations, one who knew enough to accomplish what he did must have known the Principle and method of his own achievements, as well as the possibility of similar attainments by others. His work rises above that of all other teachers, because he illustrated or demonstrated all that he taught. Hence, the only conclusion just to him is that the great majority of those who believe on him have somehow failed to perceive or follow the way which he showed.

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