When the wild crabapple puts forth blossoms, Nature sermons presched, , Ill . ve surpassing the loveof man for woman. Nature is a revealer of God; and to thetheologian who thinks his craft is the inter-preter of God and who scoffs at Natures teach-ings or ignores them, I say that Nature is abetter, more certain, more authoritative teacherof great principles of God than he is. I donot trust theology. Oh! I trust my own; forit is an honest attempt on my part to framewords that will tell of the relations existing orthat might exist between my God and theologians, profession
When the wild crabapple puts forth blossoms, Nature sermons presched, , Ill . ve surpassing the loveof man for woman. Nature is a revealer of God; and to thetheologian who thinks his craft is the inter-preter of God and who scoffs at Natures teach-ings or ignores them, I say that Nature is abetter, more certain, more authoritative teacherof great principles of God than he is. I donot trust theology. Oh! I trust my own; forit is an honest attempt on my part to framewords that will tell of the relations existing orthat might exist between my God and theologians, professional or laymen, Iassume, are equally honest; but they presentsuch different ideas, I am confused by their en-deavors at times. How many pictures of theMadonna or the Christ there are! what differ-ent interpretations there have been!—and nonehas told the whole story, has given the per-34 THE COMING OF SPRING feet likeness. I trust the love that is in theheart of the man who draws the portrait ofGod; yes, I will trust the love that is in theheart of the pagan; but I do not fully trust. THE REDBUD BLOOMS BY THE SWOLLENWATERS his judgment, his knowledge. I do not imputethe motive, I impute the results that springfrom imperfect knowledge. What blunders and crimes have been com-mitted in the name of theology! Folks have 35 THE COMING OF SPRING mutilated their bodies by rites of circumcisionuntil they could not defend their firesides. Chil-dren have been offered in sacrifice to the leap-ing flames or the greedy waters. Man by pre-destination has been robbed of his chance tomake his peace with God; and babes snatchedfrom their mothers arms in all the sweetnessand innocence and helplessness of babyhood, un-baptized, have been committed to the world oflost spirits. What crimes have been committedin the name of the Church! The Sanhedrin is-sued its decrees against Jesus and sent Him tothe cross; Dianas followers cried out againstthe Christians of their day and mobbed them;the Pope of the
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