let them manifest
through us, then by the very inspirations we carry with us do we become
in a sense the saviours of our fellow-men, and in this way we all are,
or may become, the saviours one of another. In this way you may
become, indeed, one of the world's redeemers.

THE BASIC PRINCIPLE OF ALL RELIGIONS--THE UNIVERSAL RELIGION.

The great truth we are considering is the fundamental principle running
through all religions. We find it in every one. In regard to it all
agree. It is, moreover, a great truth in regard to which all people
can agree, whether they belong to the same or to different religions.
People always quarrel about the trifles, about their personal views of
minor insignificant points. They always come together in the presence
of great fundamental truths, the threads of which run through all. The
quarrels are in connection with the lower self, the agreements are in
connection with the higher self.

A place may have its factions that quarrel and fight among themselves,
but let a great calamity come upon the land, flood, famine, pestilence,
and these little personal differences are entirely forgotten and all
work shoulder to shoulder in the one great cause. The changing, the
evolving self gives rise to quarrels; the permanent, the soul self
unites all in the highest efforts of love and service.

Patriotism is a beautiful thing; it is well for me to love my country,
but why should I love my own country more than I love all others? If I
love my own and hate others, I then show my limitations, and my
patriotism will stand the test not even for my own. If I love my own
country and in the same way love all other countries, then I show the
largeness of my nature, and a patriotism of this kind is noble and
always to be relied upon.

The view of God in regard to which we are agreed, that He is the
Infinite Spirit of Life and Power that is back of all, that is working
in and through all, that is the life of all, is a matter in regard to
which all men, all religions can agree. With this view there can be no
infidels or atheists. There are atheists and infidels in connection
with many views that are held concerning God, and thank God there are.
Even devout and earnest people among us attribute things to God that no
respectable men or women would permit to be attributed to themselves.
This view is satisfying to those who cannot see how God can be angry
with his children, jealous, vindictive. A