Article March 7, 1908 Issue

Religion should be valued for what it accomplishes...

Alfred Farlow

Boston Times

Religion should be valued for what it accomplishes as well as for what it promises. It should be understood that heaven is attained by improving one's spiritual condition, rather than by making a journey to some new locality. It is to be sought, not waited for. It is neither here nor there, but as Jesus declared, "within you." Heaven is the realm or state of the normal. God-made man—not merely the ultimate, but the primitive condition. It is known and enjoyed by the spiritual man. God's own image and likeness. It belongs to the here and now, and is the answer to our Lord's Prayer, "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven."

It is the purpose of religion not only to prepare one for heaven, but to create or restore heaven itself. Christianity is the religion of Jesus Christ, and is regarded by all believers in Christ as the true religion, because it is the direct and practical way from earth to heaven, that is, out of a discordant material condition into a harmonious, spiritual state. Hence the Master said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." The way from the imperfect to the perfect state was well known to Jesus; it was the way of understanding; it was clearly perceived and perfectly demonstrated by him; hence he could speak with authority, and say with positiveness, "I am the way."

Any form of religion which tends upward and onward and makes its adherents better is worthy of credit. There may be a thousand varying ways to reach a given destination, but at the end of the journey the traveler has gone over but one way. One might spend a lifetime in wandering about and trying different ways, while, if one correctly understands, he may take the direct course at once. If one experiments with an ill-chosen course, he learns something at least; he finds out that that particular course is not the right one and is saved the ordeal of trying it again. If we take the wrong course, the lack of success which follows convinces us of our mistake. If we take the right course, the success which follows is convincing that we have chosen aright. We learn by every act, whether it be good or bad, and therefore the world is compelled to progress. Those who are not learning are "burning" out.

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