Pantheism, atheism, agnosticism, materialism, pessimism - how
many ugly, dangerous words there are in the dictionary, and how many
young people imagine that they have all these spiritual diseases when,
as a matter of fact, they are only in the way of normal spiritual
development. A person comes to say of certain things that are
mysterious, of which he or she thought they knew, "I don't know." Then
people label themselves or allows himself or herself to be labeled an
"Agnostic." No religious life for them. Another person sees that the
great God can not stand apart from His universe, but must be working in
it and through it all. They label themselves "Pantheist," or are so
labeled. Other people suddenly discovers the abyss of actual wo in the
world, the evil that, for the present at least, is without remedy. They
are called "Pessimists" And still more people look to the right hand and
to the left hand, and for the time do not see God. The final word for
them is "Atheist." Now, we can not have a free expression of what people
from time to time are actually believing until we get over our fear of
all such names. We must have a faith that is wholesome enough and large
enough to keep us from being afraid of our own thoughts. The fact is,
that we are continually mistaking the passing moods of the spirit for
the finalities of thought. These moods through which we pass have been
familiar to the most profoundly religious minds. - Samuel M. Crothers.
An unidentified writer points out how different moods affect our minds:
When I am tired and weary.
And nothing goes my way.
I thank the heavenly Father
For two nights to every day.
But when, once more, I'm rested.
And all the world looks bright,
I thank Him that He sends me
Two days to every night !
There's the pause before the battle,
There's the respite from the fray ;
And that is how I reckon
Two nights to every day.
When the sunset glow has faded,
In a little while 'tis light!
And that is how I reckon
Two days to every night.
And so 'tis due, believe me,
To the way we look at things,
Whether we sigh and falter
Or whether we soar on wings!
