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 further and  assert  that  he  descends  to  the  level  of the  brute. For what  is  it  distinguishes  man  from the brute? The ability  to  think? No, for  an  elephant is  wiser  than  many  men. The gift  of  speech? No; monkeys  converse  fluently. Their bodily  shape? No; there  are  gorillas  and  men  who  would  pass  for brothers. The distinguishing  mark  is  the  yearning of  man's  soul  for  a  higher  life. Man's dignity  as lord  of  creation  and  heir  to  heaven  is  never  more emphatically asserted  than  when  he  says:  "  I  believe in  God,"  "  Thy  will  be  done,"  and  falling  down prays: "  Our  Father,  who  art  in  heaven." But the unbeliever, the  neglecter  of  religion,  has  practically nothing to  distinguish  him  from  the  brute  creation. Like the  prodigal  son,  he  no  sooner  abandons  his father than  he  begins  to  associate  and  feed  with  the swine, and  regains  his  manhood — his  dignity  as  son and heir — only  when  he  forms  and  carries  out  his resolution to  arise  and  go  to  his  father. This folly of the  irreligious  not  only  reflects  on  themselves,  but it is  a  crime  of  injustice  against  God. What a  monster of  injustice  is  the  son  who  turns  his  back  on  his parents in  the  hour  of  their  need! What an  execrable ingrate he  is  who  steals  away  and  hides  when  the  call goes forth  for  defenders  of  his  country! For our parents give  us  being  and  make  us  what  we  are,  and our country  watches  over  and  protects  us  at  home and abroad. But God  is  nearer  to  us  than  parents or country. Whatever we  are,  whatever  we  have, comes primarily  from  Him,  and  every  moment  of  our lives we  feel  the  need  of  His  sustaining  and  protect-