848 Causes and Course of Organic Evolution 



But, looking around on the course of life in Corinth, in Athens, 

 in Ephesus, in Rome, how could Paul hope that such would 

 come on earth? Looking out at the battles of popes, the lives 

 of the clergy, the international struggles that kings inflamed 

 their subjects to fight out, the licentious conduct of the nobles, 

 the half-starved state of the people, how could Groot hope 

 for "a kingdom of righteousness" on earth? So they carried 

 their thoughts and aspirations beyond this life and this world, 

 as their only possible field of hope, and the immortal life be- 

 came their living and their dymg trust. 



Thoughtful men no longer view life in such a light, nor do 

 they feel that an unknown future life should be bartered for 

 a realizable life here of social cooperation, well-being, aspiration, 

 and true happiness. This is within their reach, and they have 

 resolved to attain to and live in it. For every one has felt 

 at times periods of intense satisfaction, and has realized 

 that life can be a truly joyous, inspiring, and sacred gift, in 

 the unfolding of which every one can aid. Then, if immor- 

 tality and immortal peace be a future gift of the great God of 

 the universe, they will welcome it. But, if death ends con- 

 scious personality, they w^ill look forward with satisfaction 

 to "the restful rapture of the inviolate grave," for they will 

 rest fully satisfied in the thought that they have helped for- 

 ward the great evolutionary plan of the world, and so of the 

 universe. 



The most melancholy commentory on Christian love (not 

 Clirist's love for man which was ideal and perfect) is the 

 scant exhibition of it in this twentieth century amongst those 

 who fully or formally profess it; the saddest commentory on 

 Christian faith (not Christ's faith which enabled him ever 

 to live in the presence of God, the father of the universe) 

 is its want of faith in believing that the man who passes us 

 with little of this world's goods is our neighbor; the strongest 

 argument against immortality is that we are so little prepared 

 to make a heaven of the present world, in which all might be 

 helped, blessed, and better prepared for a heaven beyond, 

 should such exist. 



