In other words, Jesus realized, above the universe, and beyond Law, One to Whom man is related by the closest ties, from Whom he is unable truly to separate himself, and towards Whom he is accountable. Thus to each man there falls, in addition to his personal and relative share in the suffering involved in conflict with the inexorable working of the inexorable Causal Law, a very solemn personal responsibility. ♦The Father is the true Centre♦ That the true centre of man’s life is the Father--“the Father from Whom every fatherhood in heaven and on earth is named”--is the fact never to be forgotten in the study of the “Way of Salvation” as taught by Jesus. The first move, when the Prodigal Son “comes to himself,” is back to the Father. And should he prefer to remain in the far country, sowing there the seed of his evil desires and forthgoings, the law of the harvest is immutable: every seed sown brings its assured and appropriate harvest. “Whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap. He that soweth to the flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption.” II ♦The Law of Cause and Effect♦ At the World’s Parliament of Religions, held in Chicago some years ago, a Buddhist delegate made the statement that no doctrine which ignores or denies the Law of Cause and Effect would find acceptance with men of his Faith. It is probable that he had not realized that the Christian Faith is founded upon the Law also. ♦The supreme illustration♦ The supreme illustration of the working of the Causal or Harvest Law, that which most exquisitely reveals its gracious beneficence, is that of the life, death, and rising of Jesus Christ. His own words in this connection are unmistakable, and should be carefully studied by any who are tempted to think that the death upon the Cross was either a mere martyrdom, or an arbitrary enactment of God designed to supersede His own Law. The Christ came not to be destroyed, nor to destroy, but to fulfil. Why choose so ineffective a manner of life? Why court disaster by these repeated visits to the capital, unless prepared to yield something to the leaders of the religious and political parties there? Further, why go away, leaving the little company of devoted followers leaderless and comfortless? Because He was carrying out the Father’s Purpose? Surely; but it was the Father’s Purpose because it was in the very nature of the case. The Causal Law demanded the Cross as the Effect of many Causes. The Causal Law demanded the Cross as a Cause from which should appear in their order such gracious world-embracing Effects as the wise and gentle Buddha must have rejoiced to know.