Editorial December 25, 1902 Issue

A Living Gratitude

True gratitude expresses itself in higher living. A great truth is presented to us, we see it, but it is not ours until we live it. Unless practice keeps pace with perception, we were as well off without our perception. The most eloquent proclamations of a grand truth sink into insignificance when compared with the most unpretentious life in which its precepts are daily applied and harmony is wrought at the sacrifice of self.

The old world is aweary of preaching; but when the on-moving masses call a halt, and exclaim, "Why, here is a peculiar people!—a pure, high people,—joyous, healthy, harmonious in all ways, thinking each of another's good, upright, fair-minded, generous, setting ever the riches of spirit above earthly riches and honor," when this is exclaimed, the people recognize the actuating impulse to be Love; they respect the sincerity that manifests itself in a pure life, they leave the beaten pathways of the world, and follow rejoicing. Prejudice may pervert, fear may threaten, society may frown, humorists may ridicule, and friends may forsake, but pure, healthy, happy lives are an unquestioned demonstration, an unanswerable argument.

The religion that makes good men and women is the demand of the hour and is the only religion that will succeed or ought to succeed.

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