Bohemian Society | Page 4

for a bright

light shone full in her face, and when she opened her eyes she saw a
pale man standing before her. He was almost naked, and there was
blood upon his hands and body; and great tears stood in his beautiful
eyes and his face was like the face of the Saviour on the cross. Not a
word did he speak, but he looked at the woman compassionately, and
gave her a loaf of bread, and took the babe in his arms and kissed it."
No need to talk of spiritual things to people who are suffering from
hunger and cold. If the moral nature of the poor is to be reformed, their
surroundings must be improved. "The mind becomes that which it
contemplates." It would be impossible for any one surrounded by crime
and poverty to understand or be made to comprehend the loving
kindness of a God who placed them in such a condition and amidst
such surroundings. No one, unless they were fanatics, would think of
distributing religious tracts to the poor half starved ignorant portion of
a large city. The human portion of their natures must be benefitted
before any great results in moral improvements can be attained.
Commence at the beginning. Teach them the laws of hygiene: teach
them their duty, not from any reward which they may expect in the next
world, but for the sake of right and the happiness it will afford them in
this world.
I am often struck with the idea that the religion which is taught from
our pulpits frequently helps to nourish all that is most selfish in our
natures. We are taught that for every kind act we perform, we may
expect a reward hereafter. In worldly matters we would have a poor
opinion of a friend--or one calling herself such--who for every small act
of kindness shown us, was constantly thinking of the benefit she was to
derive from it. Why will the reasoning not apply to spiritual matters?
Such teaching develops all that is lowest in human nature. And again
we are told that by doing certain things which are sinful in the sight of
God, we may expect punishment hereafter; consequently many people
are deterred from wrong doing, simply from fear; not because of any
inner consciousness of wrong doing, but for fear of the consequences of
their sin. Would it not be well to teach and train the human mind to the
belief that any act committed which is injurious to ourselves or our
fellow creatures is wrong, because the act in itself is wrong and not

because we are to be punished in the future.
Imagine a prisoner, a dangerous character, who conducts himself
properly while under the eye of the keeper and in sight of the lash,
compelled by fear to conform to rules, does the work appointed him,
not from a consciousness of doing right, not because the doing right is a
pleasure, but through fear of the consequences if he disobeys. He serves
his time, is discharged, but what kind of a citizen does he become? If
fear only restrains him from wrong-doing what object will he have in
doing right? Leave out the doctrine of reward and punishment, teach
and train the mind to something higher and holier than mere personal
gratification. The religion of humanity is a grand, a noble belief. To
remember that each and every one has some claim to consideration,
that the way to restrain from wrong-doing is through the human heart.
A warm hand clasp and a sympathetic tear will do more to strengthen
ones belief in heaven than all the tracts which were ever written. Can
we believe in the goodness and loving kindness of God, when we see
nothing but coldness and selfishness in our fellow creatures. Ah believe
me, the chords of the human heart are very tender and if touched by a
sympathetic hand will produce sweet sounds but if touched by the
unfriendly hand of coldness and indifference, the sounds will be harsh
and discordant. There is no one so low, so ignorant, so fallen, but has
claims upon our sympathies. The Turks collect every scrap of paper
that comes in their way, because the name of God may be written upon
it. Deal tenderly with every fellow creature, for all are made in the
image of God. A few kind words have saved many lives from
shipwreck. Phariseeism says to itself after hearing of the sin of some
poor mortal "I am holier than that person. I have never sinned in that
way," forgetful of the fact that they have never been tempted in the
same way. The religion of humanity says "here is a poor mortal who
has been sorely tried and tempted, we will show