An Optimistic View

Editor

In a late address before the national conference of Unitarian churches, a well-known publicist has cited many encouraging intimations of the growth of religious sentiment, and among other things he notes the public conscience, which he regards as "more acute to-day than at any time in the history of mankind;" the place of temperance in general thought; the recognition of the right of agreement; the increase of the spirit of reconciliation; the more dominant religious spirit in the adjustment of international affairs, and the universal exaltation of character over creeds.

These phenomena certainly support the speaker's contention, but we are quite sure that there are yet other evidences of a dawning day which are deeper, more prophetic of the advance of a truly religious sentiment. Among these may be mentioned the very manifest tendency of thought and conviction toward idealism—the spiritual statement and explanation of things—and the increasing demand for a demonstrable creed.

The past has given large place to a dual concept of reality,—that of Spirit and that of matter,—which has imposed itself, in some degree, upon every form of religious faith, and it is still found entrenched in many generally accepted beliefs; but its every aspect and position is vulnerable, and revolutionary changes are silently being effected by the coming of that true idealism which recognizes God—Spirit—and His spiritual manifestation as including all reality and being.

The other most hopeful indication of advance is seen in the growing indifference toward undemonstrable religious theories, however hoary, dignified, and plausible they may be. The test to which religious profession is being more and more generally subjected, is not that of conformity to a so-called orthodox teaching, but that of ability to do the works of the Master. Men are noting the rapid advance, the splendid conquests of physical science as compared with religious Science, and they cannot escape seeing that the amazing contrast is explained by the fact that the test of demonstration has been constantly imposed in the one case, and ignored in the other.

It scarcely need be added that the world-wide dissemination of the clear and emphatic teaching of Christian Science upon both these points, together with its practical demonstrations of the present ability of spiritual truth to establish its goings, and meet every need of the aspiring soul, explains in large degree these more progressive, more promising attitudes of public thought.

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Learning from Christ

November 7, 1903

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