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heartlessness； the negation of everything which one could possibly
associate with the living spirit of Christ as evident in the utterances of
Catholic Bishops； like Hartmann of Cologne； as in those of Lutheran
Pastors。 Put all this together and say if the human race has ever presented
a more unlovely aspect。 When we try to find the brighter spots they are
chiefly where civilisation； as apart from religion； has built up necessities
for the community； such as hospitals； universities； and organised charities；
as conspicuous in Buddhist Japan as in Christian Europe。 We cannot deny
that there has been much virtue； much gentleness； much spirituality in
individuals。 But the churches were empty husks； which contained no
spiritual food for the human race； and had in the main ceased to influence
its actions； save in the direction of soulless forms。 This is not an over…
coloured picture。 Can we not see； then； what was the inner reason for the
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war？ Can we not understand that it was needful to shake mankind loose
from gossip and pink teas； and sword…worship； and Saturday night drunks；
and self… seeking politics and theological quibblesto wake them up and
make them realise that they stand upon a narrow knife…edge between two
awful eternities； and that； here and now； they have to finish with make…
beliefs； and with real earnestness and courage face those truths which have
always been palpable where indolence； or cowardice； or vested interests
have not obscured the vision。 Let us try to appreciate what those truths are
and the direction which reform must take。 It is the new spiritual
developments which predominate in my own thoughts； but there are two
other great readjustments which are necessary before they can take their
full effect。 On the spiritual side I can speak with the force of knowledge
from the beyond。 On the other two points of reform； I make no such claim。
The first is that in the Bible； which is the foundation of our present
religious thought； we have bound together the living and the dead； and the
dead has tainted the living。 A mummy and an angel are in most unnatural
partnership。 There can be no clear thinking； and no logical teaching until
the old dispensation has been placed on the shelf of the scholar； and
removed from the desk of the teacher。 It is indeed a wonderful book； in
parts the oldest which has come down to us； a book filled with rare
knowledge； with history； with poetry； with occultism； with folklore。 But it
has no connection with modern conceptions of religion。 In the main it is
actually antagonistic to them。 Two contradictory codes have been
circulated under one cover； and the result is dire confusion。 The one is a
scheme depending upon a special tribal God； intensely anthropomorphic
and filled with rage； jealousy and revenge。 The conception pervades every
book of the Old Testament。 Even in the psalms； which are perhaps the
most spiritual and beautiful section； the psalmist； amid much that is noble；
sings of the fearsome things which his God will do to his enemies。 〃They
shall go down alive into hell。〃 There is the keynote of this ancient
documenta document which advocates massacre； condones polygamy；
accepts slavery； and orders the burning of so…called witches。 Its Mosaic
provisions have long been laid aside。 We do not consider ourselves
accursed if we fail to mutilate our bodies； if we eat forbidden dishes； fail
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to trim our beards； or wear clothes of two materials。 But we cannot lay
aside the provisions and yet regard the document as divine。 No learned
quibbles can ever persuade an honest earnest mind that that is right。 One
may say： 〃Everyone knows that that is the old dispensation； and is not to
be acted upon。〃 It is not true。 It is continually acted upon； and always will
be so long as it is made part of one sacred book。 William the Second acted
upon it。 His German God which wrought such mischief in the world was
the reflection of the dreadful being who ordered that captives be put under
the harrow。 The cities of Belgium were the reflection of the cities of Moab。
Every hard…hearted brute in history； more especially in the religious wars；
has found his inspiration in the Old Testament。 〃Smite and spare not！〃 〃An
eye for an eye！〃； how readily the texts spring to the grim lips of the
murderous fanatic。 Francis on St。 Bartholomew's night； Alva in the
Lowlands； Tilly at Magdeburg； Cromwell at Drogheda； the Covenainters
at Philliphaugh； the Anabaptists of Munster； and the early Mormons of
Utah； all found their murderous impulses fortified from this unholy source。
Its red trail runs through history。 Even where the New Testament prevails；
its teaching must still be dulled and clouded by its sterner neighbour。 Let
us retain this honoured work of literature。 Let us remove the taint which
poisons the very spring of our religious thought。
This is； in my opinion； the first clearing which should be made for the
more beautiful building to come。 The second is less important； as it is a
shifting of the point of view； rather than an actual change。 It is to be
remembered that Christ's life in this world occupied； so far as we can
estimate； 33 years； whilst from His arrest to His resurrection was less than
a week。 Yet the whole Christian system has come to revolve round His
death； to the partial exclusion of the beautiful lesson of His life。 Far too
much weight has been placed upon the one； and far too little upon the
other； for the death； beautiful； and indeed perfect； as it was； could be
matched by that of many scores of thousands who have died for an idea；
while the life； with its consistent record of charity； breadth of mind；
unselfishness； courage； reason； and progressiveness； is absolutely unique
and superhuman。 Even in these abbreviated； translated； and second… hand
records we receive an impression such as no other life can givean
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