Article June 26, 1902 Issue

Religious Items

Rainsford

There is a very real sense in which we may speak of "The Descent of Man," and also of "The Ascent of Man." The former takes place every time a man yields to his passions and appetites in spite of the Spirit's remonstrance sounding in his ears. The latter takes place when the ethical, rational element triumphs over the lustful, brutish element.

We have been accustomed to regard the fall of man as an historical event of long ago, a terrible disaster which befell the first human pair, an entailed woe upon all their posterity. But we must remember that the fall is an actual occurrence in the life of every human soul that becomes truly self-conscious. When he "comes to himself" as a moral being, it is discovered that he has slipped, fallen, and injured himself. It matters not whether the fall has been brought about through hereditary weakness, unfortunate environment, or personal waywardness, he must face the fact that he is down, and that he has down. He realizes that the animal part of his nature is in the ascendant and is stifling the spiritual part. Then comes the appeal and the decision, to determine whether he will remain down, or arise and stand; whether the lower nature will be gratified at the expense of the higher, or the higher hold dominion over the lower; whether he will be content with his "Descent" or struggle for an "Ascent."

The Watchman.

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