When this venerable paper came to the Metaphysical College recently, the President took it up and remarked: "That reminds me of my parental home and my father's household, where this periodical was a regular visitor fifty years ago." Presently she added: "I hope I have never done aught to dishonor the religion of my father!"
This is indeed a good sentiment. Theology may change; but religion is unchangeable, under all its forms. Why? Because its essence is ever the same, devotion to God and humanity. Mohammedans and Parsees, Baptists, Universalists, Swedenborgians, Adventists, Christian Scientists, are one in Spirit, so long as they have this inward Life. Without this Life, which is religion, their theology is irreligious and vain, call it by what name you will. Whatever changes we may undergo in opinion, we should never dishonor the religion of our fathers, by departure from this Christian standard, though articles of faith and creeds may vanish like dew in a July day. True and faithful progress never dishonors genuine religion. Dr. Smyth, of Andover, and Mrs. Eddy, of Boston, may meet with Dr. Hopkins and Cotton Mather, and neither be ashamed of the other, so long as they are seeking the same Truth.
