Under the above heading we published in the Sentinel of March 6, 1902, an article by Mr. J. E. Fellers which so justly and rationalistically meets certain objections which are sometimes made that we deem it worthy of widespread perusal, and therefore republish it in the Journal.
Mr. Fellers writes from the standpoint of one not personally acquainted with the author of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," and cannot be said to be influenced or biased in his views by her personality. On the contrary, he sees her from the point of view of character and achievement. If character is pure the personality reflects purity. If the character is good the personality reflects good. This is a law as fixed as any law can be. If the person is truly attractive it is by reason of the character which forms its background. When people talk of worshiping personality, therefore, they talk thoughtlessly and superficially. If there is a disposition to worship at all, it is character-worship rather than personal worship. Hero-worship is character-worship.—the adoration which flows out simultaneously toward great character and great achievement.
Nevertheless, the person and the character and achievement are so blended that superficial thought fails to distinguish between the two, and hence the readiness to confuse character-worship with personal worship. We use the word worship in the sense of admiration and appreciation, rather than in its more extreme sense of adulation or adoration. There is a wide distinction between love and gratitude, and adoration or adulation. When love, gratitude, and appreciation are expressed for a person because of the great achievement wrought by or through that person, this is not personal adoration or personal worship in any correct sense. If it were, then the American people, for years, have been guilty of worshiping Columbus, Washington, Lincoln, and many other persons.
