Religion: Sermon of the Week

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Mr. Secretary Charles E. Hughes rose up before a Bible class* which had just completed its annual banquet. Said he in part:

"Any institution or organization, any cult or system which tries to bind the restless spirit of man, to set bounds to his curious searchings, to deny the report of his reason, cannot last. The Master came that we might have life and that we might have it more abundantly. We must have its joy, its untiring pursuits, its fresh victories.

"But, so far as the tendency of our time is toward an increase of nervous irritability, so far as there is disclosed a want of self-control, a lack of poise and mastery, the sacrifice of the more permanent interests and satisfactions to others that are transient and corrupting, we find not only cause for regret but the need of bringing Up reinforcements through the consideration of what is best."

Then he proceeded to name health, knowledge, loyalty, character, faith, on each of which he delivered about 150 words, concluding:

"A truly Christian character is revealed in a balanced life. Many years ago, I attempted to suggest to you its quality. Let me repeat what I then said, for it sums up what I would always have in the minds of those who are trying to live abundantly and well. What does the Christian character or balanced life mean? It is this:

"Faith without credulity, conviction without bigotry, charity without condescension, courage without pugnacity, self-respect without vanity, humility without obsequiousness, love of humanity without sentimentality and meekness with power.

"That is our ideal."