Article April 18, 1901 Issue

Religious Items

The following sentences are brought together from an article in the (Baptist) Watchman, written by Lemuel Moss, the title of which is "Sin is Unnatural:" "The Sinless life of Christ, in the environment and conditions of his earthly career, demonstrated the wonderful fact that sin is not an essential and necessary part of human nature. . . . Here is a human life of constant activity, full of controversy, contradiction, strife, persecution from ungodly and ignorant men, and yet not a deed or word or emotion or thought that even God can disapprove. . . . Such a phenomenon in the history of humanity would of itself attract the attention of angels and men. But it was something more than a bare and barren phenomenon, isolated and insulated, out of touch with ordinary human experience. Christ was bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh. . . . Christ, being sinless within, conquered the sin without. . . . It is not necessary to commit sin in order to prove our permanent manhood. Rather do we demonstrate our manhood, and our kinship with God, by the conquest and expulsion of sin."

A writer in the (Unitarian) Christian Register says: "It is often said that to labor is to pray. That is a half truth depending upon the application. An ox labors. A steam-engine toils terribly. Man may be as industrious as ox or steam engine, and never lift a thought heavenward or recognize God in his life. Such mechanical labor is no prayer. Prayer is conscious appeal for divine grace, devout recognition of God's living force in the world and in our own souls. It is 'the soul's sincere desire, uttered or unexpressed.' Yet, whether in silence or in word, it is that desire going forth Godward. In this high sense it may be that to labor is to pray. Noble work may be the best part or expression of genuine prayer. Whether as confession of convicted conscience or sinking of deep humility, consecration of high purpose or adoring gratitude of a thankful heart, submission to God's will or request for divine help, this spiritual communion with the Fount of all blessing, this aspiration Godward, is prayer."

In a sermon on "Prayer." published in the (Unitarian) Christian Register, the Rev. Rush R. Shippen says: "Prayer of consecration touches the soul with a new sense of dependence and fidelity, reminds us that all we have and are belongs to God, that our blessings are not given, but lent, that we are but stewards of the divine bounty, not to be selfish in our prosperity, that we are called to be servants of the truth and right, co-workers with the Most High. With such pledge of fidelity come new light, strength, and inspiration. Prayer of thanksgiving moves the heart with grateful thought of the infinite loving-kindness amid which we live. We cease our selfish begging for more favor, feeling that we already enjoy more than we deserve or rightly use. With untroubled trust serenely we commit our future into the loving Father's guidance and care, in whose good-keeping we are forever safe, whose benefits are new every, morning and fresh every evening, countless as the stars."

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