Free Opinions, Freely Expressed on Certain Phases of Modern Social Life and ConductCorelli, Marie
Religion
Free Opinions, Freely Expressed on Certain Phases of Modern Social Life and Conduct
Corelli, Marie
English essays -- 20th century; Great Britain -- Social life and customs -- 20th century
All this, however, has nothing to do with the Christian faith as Christ
Himself expounded it in His own commands. Quarrels and dissensions are
as far from the teaching of the Divine Master as an earth’s dusthole
is from the centre of the sun. Differences of dogma are not approved
in His eyes. Whether candles shall, or shall not, be set on the altar,
whether incense shall, or shall not, be burnt, may be said to relegate
to the “cleansing of the outside of the cup and platter,” and are not
a vital part of His intention--for He has nothing but condemnation
for “forms” and “ceremonies.” There is something both strange and
unnatural in the provocative spirit which is at present being exercised
by professing rulers of the Church of England against one another;
and another matter too for deep regret is the attitude of favour
maintained by certain political ministers, towards the practice of an
almost theatrical display in the form of English Christian services.
The various appointments of High Churchmen to important bishoprics
shows the tendency towards extravagant ritualism; certainly the more
simple and unaffected men of pure taste and dignity in Church ritual
get little chance of encouragement; and that the path is being prepared
for a second Cromwell is only too evident. It is lamentable indeed that
any discussions should arise between the different sects as to “forms
and ceremonies,” and those who excite fanatical hatreds by their petty
quarrels over unimportant “shows” and observances, are criminally to
blame for any evils that are likely to ensue. What Christ commands is
“Love one another”;--what He desires is that all mankind should be
friends and brothers in His Name. And it is from this point of view
that I again ask the question of those who may have glanced through
this paper--DO YOU BELIEVE, OR DO YOU NOT BELIEVE? Are you a CHRISTIAN?
Or a SECTARIAN? The one is not the other.
For my own part I would desire to see all the Sects cease their long
quarrel,--all “dogmas” dropped--and all creeds amalgamated into one
great loving family under the name of Christ. I should like to see
an end to all bigotry, whether of Protestantism against Romanism, or
Romanism against Protestantism,--a conclusion to all differences--and
one Universal Church of simple Love and Thanksgiving, and obedience
to Christ’s own commands. “Temporal power” should be held as the poor
thing which it is, compared to Spiritual power,--for Spiritual power,
according to the Founder of the Christian Faith, is the transcendent
force of Love--love to God and love to man,--“that perfect love which
casteth out fear,” and which, being “born of God, cannot rest but in
God above all created things.”
Thus it follows--That if we hate or envy or slander any person, WE ARE
NOT CHRISTIANS.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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