XV

THE BEAUTY OF HOLINESS

Religion ought to be the most natural, desirable, and attractive thing
to man, for it simply stands for the development of the best in us, the
coming into the full and rich heritage that is ours as spiritual
beings, and the realization of our highest possibilities of character
and service. He who ignores religion is cutting himself off from the
best and most beautiful possibilities in his life.

Some have talked of the necessity of making religion attractive. It
does not have to be made attractive; there is nothing more desirable
than the peace, the power, and prosperity of the real life which it
confers. It is the imitation, the false and prejudiced presentation of
religion that men endeavour to dress up attractively. In that they
never succeed, for cramping the soul and twisting the intellect ever
are opposed by the best in us.

From the caricature of religion we turn with loathing. Mummeries and
mockeries, fads and forms leave us empty and impatient. The heart of
man goes out to things fair, lovely, joyous, and uplifting, and they
who find no God in the elaborate sermon or the service in the church
somehow are thrilled with the feeling of the divine and inspiring in
the woods and field and mountains.

All things good, all things attractive and lovely, uplifting and
sublime have but one source. They touch our hearts because they come
from the heart of all being; they reach our spirits because they are
spiritual. Deep calls unto deep when the divine in man answers to the