Editorial March 14, 1903 Issue

Definition and Demonstration

W.

In an age when things great and small, high and low, are being subjected to microscopic analysis, it is very natural that the question, What is the essential of religion? should be raised and generally discussed.

There are those who would express their opinion in theoretical terms, and for them the maintenance of a clearly defined belief is highly important. Others would voice their conception in terms of the heart, and for them religion is an experience, inaugurated and attended by deep feeling. Others would give their definition in terms of life; religion is expressed for them in conduct. It is the manifestation of honesty, unselfishness, altruism. Yet others would declare that religion is universal, or well-nigh, the expression of an instinct and capacity common to all men. "It is the effective desire to be in right relations to the power manifesting itself in the universe." This is all-inclusive, it embraces the whole brotherhood of man.

Now it is clear that all these varied definitions, if worthy of consideration, must recognize, either by statement or implication, both the source of life and its dignity and purpose; and those who honor the great Judean will therefore find a most suggestive and satisfactory statement of the essence of religion in his words: "This is life eternal, that they might know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent." To be conscious of God as revealed in the Christ-life is to embody the good of all these concepts of religion, and to escape that over emphasis of belief which has always tended toward dogmatism and narrowness; that over emphasis of feeling which has tended to emotionalism and superstition, and that over emphasis of ethical well doing which has tended to excessive liberalism and looseness of faith. The essential of religion for all monotheists must be the expression by man of the one infinite Life. The knowing of God, or right consciousness, is eternal life. Here belief is displaced by understanding, while feeling attends that progressive spiritual awakening which blossoms and bears fruitage in pure affection, and in all the amenities and activities of Christian ministry.

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