only profoundly reverent, but also, (in the name and spirit of the Living Christ), sharply critical, and unsparingly honest and true, both in their own private investigation, and in whatever instruction they may find opportunity to give to others.

Now as in all preceding ages, in Christianity as in Judaism and all other forms of Religion, in Protestantism as in Catholicism, in the United States of America as in other States and Countries of the Earth, degeneration continues and persists. The popular forms of Religion are always Reversions. Simply because they are Reversions they become and remain popular. "The people love to have it so " -therefore the hireling-priests, now as ever, and ever as now, "prophesy falsely." Such is the rise, progress, and numerical success of "popular" Religion the World over, and History through. The purest things are always unpopular. Truth is always in the minority. Wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to Degeneration; strait is the gate and narrow the way that leads to Holiness and Truth.

To-day the same as ever, here the same as in ancient Judea, the radical teachings and methods of Jesus are everywhere and urgently needed :-"Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." For laying aside the commandments of God, ye hold the traditions of men, as the washing of pots and cups; and many other such like things ye do." "And He

said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandments of God, that ye may keep your own traditions." "Making the Word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered; and many such like things do ye." "Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire." "And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his teachings; for he taught them as one having authority and not as their scribes."

"Ye are the salt of the earth; but if the salt have lost its savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good

for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Think not that I am come to destroy the Law as delivered by prophets; I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle of the Law shall in no wise pass, till all be fulfilled."

So spake, and speaks, the Living Christ.

XVII.-ECLECTICISM, INCLUSIVENESS, CATHOLICISM,

CHRISTIANITY.

THREE ANALOGOUS CONVERSATIONS.

(a) Sectionalism and Cosmopolitanism.

First American.-" You say that all countries of the earth are interesting and beautiful. Why then do you not go and reside in them?"

Second American.-" For three reasons. First. This is the country of my adoption and home. Second. My friends and interests are chiefly here. Third. To me this is the most interesting and beautiful country of the earth. Therefore, I prefer to continue my residence here."

(b) Sectarianism and Catholicism.

First Churchman.-"You say that all denominations of Christians are parts of the true Church. Why then do you not become a member of them?"

Second Churchman.-" For three reasons. First. Ours is the church of my adoption and communion. Second. My associations and anticipations are largely confined to it. Third. To me it is more nearly Christian in its beliefs and methods than is any other of the denominations. Therefore, my duty is to remain where I am."

(c) Exclusivism and Christianity.

First Christian.-"You say that there is divine truth and goodness in all Pagan religions. Why then do you not be

come a Mohammedan, Jew, Confucian, Buddhist, Brahmin, or Zoroastrian ?"

Second Christian.- "For three reasons. First. Christianity is my native and life-long faith. Second. My spiritual life is quickened and purified by its teachings. Third. To me its truth is more completely divine than that found in the other religions. Therefore, it is my duty, my preference, and my choice to remain a Christian."

THE MORAL-AS DRAWN FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT.

me.

JESUS AS A JEW.-" He that is not with me is against The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the evil spirit out of her daughter. But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the chil dren's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs. I am not

sent but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."

JESUS AS THE CHRIST.-" And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out evil spirits in thy name; and we forbade him, because he followeth not with us. And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us. Whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd."

THE DISCIPLE AS A SECTARIAN.-" And they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. And they did not receive him. And when

his disciples Fames and John saw this, they said, Master, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them."

THE DISCIPLE AS A FOLLOWER OF THE CHRIST.-"Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh reghteousness, is accepted with him."

PAUL AS A DENOMINATIONALIST.-" I gave my voice against them. And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities."

PAUL AS A CHRISTIAN.—“There is neither Greek nor Few, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free. There is no difference between the Few and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God."

THE MORAL-AS DRAWN FROM OTHER ANCIENT SACRED BOOKS OF THE WORLD.

"Have the religions of mankind no common ground? Is there not everywhere the same enrapturing beauty beaming forth from many thousand hidden places? Broad, indeed, is the carpet God has spread, and beautiful the colors He has given it. There is but one lamp in this house, in the rays of which, wherever I look, a bright assembly meets me. O God! whatever road I take joins the highway that leads to Thee."-PERSIAN SCRIPTURES.

"What doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God."-HEBREW SCRIPTURE.

"The catholic-minded man regards all religions as embodying the same truths; the narrow-minded man observes only their differences."-CHINESE APOTHEGM.

"Altar flowers are of many species, but all Worship is one; systems of Faith are different, but God is one."-HINDU APOTHEGM.

"He who is beloved of God honors every form of Religious Faith."-BUDDHIST SCRIPTURE.

"God is by nature the Father of all men; and all best men He calls his sons."-GRECIAN SCRIPTURE.

"Amid all the conflict of opinions there sounds through all the world one consenting law and idea,-that there is One God, the Ruler and Father of All. I do not blame the variety of representations, only let men understand there is but One Divine Nature; let them love One, and keep One ever in their thoughts."-ROMAN SCRIPTURES.

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If thou art a Mussulman, go stay with the Franks; if thou art a Christian, mix with the Jews; if thou art a Shuah, mix with the Schismatics. Whatever is thy religion, associate with men of opposite persuasions. If thou canst mix with them freely, and art not the least angered whilst listening to their discourse, thou hast attained peace, and art a master of creation."-ARABIAN Scriptures.

"To him who on these pinions has risen and soared away to the throne of the Highest, all religions are like-Christians, Moslems, Guebers, Jews;-all adore Him in their several way and form."-PERSIAN APOTHEGM.

CONCLUSION.

Eclecticism is Inclusiveness. Inclusiveness is true CatholiTrue Catholicism is genuine Christianity.

cism

XVIII. CHRISTIANITY IS RELIGIOUS ECLECTICISM.

True Christianity "was in the beginning, is now, and ever must be " Religious Eclecticism. All intelligent and unprejudiced study of Comparative Religion must lead to Christianity -that is, to Religious Eclecticism as a method. One of the gravest errors that all the ages have thus far made, is that of supposing Jesus to have been a Sectarian and his Religion a Sect. Every man is likely to portray his Master or Leader in Religion, as he does his God, after his own pattern. The masses of men have always created God "in their own image