Page:SermonsFromTheLatins.djvu/117

 ing that,  being  during  our  earthly  life  as  minors  unsound of  judgment  and  feeble  of  will,  we  need  guidance and  instruction,  until  such  time  as  reason  and faith shall  have  merged  into  the  beatific  vision,  and our wills  become  one  with  the  Divine,  free  with the freedom  of  the  children  of  God. When impatient of delay  and  tempted  to  reason  and  choose  independent of  authority,  it  is  well  for  us  to  learn  of  the  birds and flowers  to  await  the  time  appointed  by  the  Father, for the  unfledged,  if  too  venturesome,  fall  to  earth, and the  too  early  shoots  are  nipped  by  the  lingering frost. Many of  us  accept  Christianity,  yes,  but  with reserve, on  our  own  terms,  and  only  in  so  far  as  it coincides  with  our  own  ideas. Our worship  of  God, we feel,  should  be  free,  spontaneous,  in  spirit  and  in truth,  untrammelled  by  rites  and  ceremonies. Why one form  of  prayer  rather  than  another? Why worship only  in  sacred  places? Why this  bowing  and genuflecting and  signing  with  the  cross? Why these complicated sacramental  ceremonies? Such may have been  John's  thought  when  he  hesitated  to  baptize the  Messias,  but  Christ  bade  him  proceed:  "  For thus,"  said  He, "  it  becometh  us  to  fulfil  all  righteousness." To say  nothing  of  Christ's  words  to  His Church: "  He  that  heareth  you,  heareth  Me,  and  he that  despiseth  you,  despiseth  Me  and  Him  that  sent Me,"  her  ritual,  even  in  those  parts  not  of  divine origin, has  been  sanctified  by  the  practice  of  ages. Though divine,  the  Church  is  still  a  society  of men  for  men,  and  could  no  more  accomplish  her earthly mission  without  external  forms  than  could