tance. The more unfolded the soul the less important do these
minor differences become. There are also, of course, the various
so-called religions. There is in reality, however, but one religion.

The moment we lose sight of this great fact we depart from the real,
vital spirit of true religion and allow ourselves to be limited and
bound by form. In the degree that we do this we build fences around
ourselves which keep others away from us, and which also prevent our
coming into the realization of universal truth; there is nothing worthy
the name of truth that is not universal.

There is only one religion. "Whatever road I take joins the highway
that leads to Thee," says the inspired writer in the Persian
scriptures. "Broad is the carpet God has spread, and beautiful the
colors he has given it." "The pure man respects every form of faith,"
says the Buddhist. "My doctrine makes no difference between high and
low, rich and poor; like the sky, it has room for all, and like the
water, it washes all alike." "The broad minded see the truth in
different religions; the narrow minded see only the differences," says
the Chinese. The Hindu has said, "The narrow minded ask, 'Is this man
a stranger, or is he of our tribe?' But to those in whom love dwells,
the whole world is but one family." "Altar flowers are of many
species, but all worship is one." "Heaven is a palace with many doors,
and each may enter in his own way." "Are we not all children of one
Father?" says the Christian. "God has made of one blood all nations,
to dwell on the face of the earth." It was a latter-day seer who said,
"That which was profitable to the soul of man the Father revealed to
the ancients; that which is profitable to the soul of man today
revealeth He this day."

It was Tennyson who said, "I dreamed that stone by stone I reared a
sacred fane, a temple, neither pagoda, mosque, nor church, but loftier,
simpler, always open-doored to every breath from heaven, and Truth and
Peace and Love and Justice came and dwelt therein."

Religion in its true sense is the most joyous thing the human soul can
know, and when the real religion is realized, we will find that it will
be an agent of peace, of joy, and of happiness, and never an agent of
gloomy, long-faced sadness. It will then be attractive to all and
repulsive to none. Let our churches grasp these great truths, let them
give their time and attention to bringing people into a knowledge