Article April 8, 1905 Issue

Religion

EVELYN SYLVESTER KNOWLES.

The Apostle James says, "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world." This definition of religion is interesting, and includes far more than would at first appear, for while none can deny that these words may be interpreted literally, there is also an inner meaning that might elude a cursory observation.

Who, we may ask, are the "fatherless"? Since there is but one Father, even God, must it not follow that the fatherless are those who are unconscious of their divine sonship and need to be aroused to the fact? Now, to "visit" a person, is to go to him and stay with him for some time. A call is brief, often formal; but a visit presupposes a degree of fellowship which brings the visitor into close touch with the visited, and thus, for better or worse, exerts some definite influence upon his life. To "visit the fatherless," then, is deliberately to seek our brother who is still under bondage to material beliefs and fears, acquaint him with his divine heritage, and lend him our tender companionship until he is eased of the "affliction" of believing himself without a Father. "A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation." Of course we should observe the etiquette of spiritual ministry as rigidly as that which pertains to the material, and never be intrusive or presumptuous.

Those laboring under the delusion that the lack of human affection can mar their happiness; those still looking for satisfaction in the joys of the senses, are the "widows," who need to be kindly but firmly awakened to the understanding that "Thy Maker is thine husband." It is not wrong to enjoy the good and beautiful things of this life; the harm lies in being satisfied with them. Is there not a noble discontent—the exact antithesis of unhappiness—that forbids one to rest satisfied this side of absolute perfection? Were it otherwise, would not progress cease, and the effort to grow into a consciousness of the divine reflection be submerged in the slough of self-satisfaction? "I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness," says David.

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