The Father Divine would at times seem to press peculiar claims upon His offspring, even lay the whole realm of creation under tribute, that thereby the glories of Mind might be revealed, His right of sovereignty, who would deny? And he who will lend an attentive ear to the still, small voice, may move onward and upward in the heavenly course. This way was indicated in remote ages, by prophet and seer; but in more recent times God spake through his Son, and by His Holy Spirit. Notwithstanding this universal presence and power, Truth and error meet in covert and open warfare. All that is false in religion and ethics confronts the world of thought, as perhaps never before in the history of nations. It would seem that the time has arrived when that which had been spoken in the ear, in closet-conferences, should be proclaimed "upon the housetops." The higher civilization of Europe and America, does it not seem to call for a more perfect reflection of the divine economy of grace and goodness, in both Church and State?
A positive good and a negative evil cannot unite, but may conspire to hold the whole, until the governments of this world shall be given up to Him, "whose right it is to reign." Then, and not till then, will the dominating force of Love draw all men to the common centre of His divine being.
The fallacious teachings of a great number of pastors and teachers, assuming to be the Called of God, are to my mind allies with the kingdom of error. These self-appointed interpreters of the Word are largely responsible for the halfhearted service to God rendered in this age. Some would still hold to the literal inspiration of the ancient Scripture records, and by so doing invite such scholars as Robert Ingersoll to open combat; and this foe to honest Christian faith carries off palms of victory from every field of action, amid the triumphant cheers of the multitudes that follow him. Ere long the same trophies will overburden the exultant victor; for our God will now, as ever, "make the wrath of man to praise Him," and as surely will He make the foolishness of fools apparent.
