Compte defines religion as consisting of three parts--a belief, a
worship, and a rule of life--of which all three are equal, and each as
necessary as any other. As is truly said, "Society can not be touched
without knowledge; and the knowledge of social organization of humanity
is a vast and perplexing science. The race, like every one of us, is
dependent on the laws of life, and the study of life is a mighty field
to master." Enthusiasm of humanity would be but shallow did it not
impel us to efforts to learn how to serve--demanding the best of
conduct, brain and heart. The power of Odd-Fellowship lies in its
fraternity. It goes forward with irresistible magnetism when its
fraternal principles are truly interpreted. It furnishes to men a
strong union, where general intelligence, by attrition, is increased;
it provides a high moral standard; its objective action is such as
touches the common heart of humanity; and by its grand co-operative
system it gives the finest means of securing those advantages that tend
to the securement of material comfort and mental and spiritual peace
and happiness.
Drummond says: "Love is the greatest thing in the world." Read what
Paul says about it in I Cor., xiii: "Though I speak with the tongues of
men and of angels, and have not love, I am become as sounding brass, or
a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and
understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all
faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am
nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though
I give my body to be burned, and have not love, it profiteth me
nothing. Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love
vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up: Doth not behave itself unseemly;
Seeketh not her own. Is not easily provoked. Thinketh no evil;
rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all
things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
Love never faileth; but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail;
whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge,
it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part
shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child; but when I
became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a
glass, darkly; but then face to face; now I know in part; but then
shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope,
love, these three, but the greatest of these is love."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account