Part 73 (1/2)

That underlying scheme of life which the brain as an organ hungers for, is now opening to us in the field of ascertained fact.

A broad deep satisfying conception of life may now be gathered from the open book of natural law, both the perception of and the inspiration to right living are to be found there; all matters of calm clear easily held knowledge. When one knows enough to build a working religion on established facts, one does not have so much need of that extra capacity of believing.

You may also believe what you know--but it isn't necessary.

It will be a wonderful thing for the world when in every mind the beautiful truths of life shall be common knowledge. You may believe in an alleged father you have never seen; but when you live with your father you know him.

THE KINGDOM

”Where is Heaven?” asked the Person.

”I want Heaven--to enjoy it; I want Heaven, recompensing For the evils I have suffered-- All the terrible injustice, All the foolish waste and hunger-- Where is Heaven? Can I get there?”

Then the Priest expounded Heaven: ”Heaven is a place for dead men; After you are dead you'll find it, _If_”--and here the Priest was earnest-- ”_If_ you do the things I tell you-- Do exactly what is ordered!

It will cost you quite a little-- You must pay a price for Heaven-- You must pay before you enter.”

”Am I sure of what I'm getting?”

Asked the mean, suspicious Person.

”What you urge is disagreeable; What you ask is quite expensive; Am I sure of getting Heaven?”

Then the Priest prepared a potion, Made of Concentrated Ages, Made of Many Mingled Feelings-- Highest Hope and Deepest Terror-- Mixed our best and worst together, Reverence and Love and Service, Coward Fear and rank Self-Interest-- Gave him this when he was little, Pumped it in before the Person Could examine his prescription.

So the Person, thus instructed, Now believed the things he told him; Paid the price as he was able, Died--the Priest said, went to Heaven-- None came back to contradict him!

”We want Heaven,” said the People; We believe in G.o.d and Heaven; Where G.o.d is, there must be Heaven; G.o.d is Here--and this is Heaven.”

Then they saw the earth was lovely; Life was sweet, and love eternal; Then they learned the joy of living, Caught a glimpse of what Life might be, What it could be--should be--would be-- When the People chose to have it!

Then they bought no further tickets Of the sidewalk speculators; They no longer gave their children The ”spring medicine” of Grandma.

They said, ”We will take no chances Of what happens after dying; We perceive that Human Beings, Wise, and sweet, and brave, and tender, Strong, and beautiful, and n.o.ble, Living peaceably together, In a universal garden, With the Sciences for Soldiers, With the Allied Arts for Angels, With the Crafts and Trades for Servants, With all Nature for the Teacher, And all People for the Students, Make a very pleasant Heaven.

We can see and understand it, We believe we'd really like some; Now we'll set to work and make it!

So they set to work, together, In the Faith that rests on Knowledge, In the Hope that's born of Wisdom.

In the Love that grows with Practise And proceeded to make Heaven.

And G.o.d smiled. He had been tired Of the everlasting dead men, Of the hungry, grasping dead men; He had always wanted live ones-- Wanted them to build the Kingdom!

PRIZE CHILDREN

A prosperous farmer, driving a valuable horse, will exhibit with pride the ”points” of his swift roadster--the fine action, the speed and endurance. He himself sits stoop-shouldered and muscle-bound; strong, it may be, but slow and awkward, with bad teeth and poor digestion; by no means a model human being either in ”points” or ”action.”

He never thinks of these things.

A virtuous housewife, running a comfortable house, has a justifiable pride in the cleanliness, comfort and convenience of the place, in its beautiful appointments and conveniences, and in her own. fine clothes!