Unbelief is torment, as much as any obstinate refusing of food, and no
one courts it because he will, but only accepts it because he must. On
the other hand, exclusive religionism has too much consciousness of
secret sympathy with its avowed antipodes, to enjoy itself much better.
They are only opposite forms of the same denial; opposite feelings from
the same great central wrong. They seem to hate each other; it is only
because they are not permitted to embrace: let them transfer their hate
to that which separates them. And what is that?
It is the want of unity and of all recognition of unity in the material
interests of men. If the material interest of each harmonized with the
material interest of all, as fully as their spiritual interests do, the
immediate result would be that the material and spiritual would
harmonize with one another. Then religion would not have to renounce
the world to save its very life; nor would the believer in natural
reason and the lover of justice cry, "Away with all religion, since it
leaves the world so bad!"
There are certain instincts and convictions in every human soul which
call for love and truth and justice. There is a revelation from God
which confirms them all.
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