Page:The Collected Works of Theodore Parker Discourse volume 1.djvu/254

Rh But, spite of the follies or limitations of these earnest and manly Jews, a religious fire burned in their hearts; the Word of God grew and prevailed. The new doctrine passes from its low beginnings on the Galilean lake, step by step, through Jerusalem, Ephesus, Antioch, Alexandria, Corinth, Rome, till it ascends the throne of the world, and kings and empires lie prostrate at its feet. But alas, as it spreads it is corrupted also. Judaism, Paganism, Idolatry, mingle their feculent scum with the living stream, and trouble still more and further the water of Life.

Christianity came to the world in the darkness of the nations; they had outgrown their old form, and looked for a new. They stood in the shadow of darkness, fearing to go back, not daring to look forward; they groped after God. The Piety and Morality which Jesus taught and lived came to the Nations as a beam of light shot into chaos; a strain of sweet music,—so silvery and soft we know not we are listening,—to him who wanders on amid the uncertain gloom, and charms him to the Light, to the River of God and the Tree of Life. It was the fulfilment of the prophecy of holy hearts, human Religion, human Morality, and above all things revealing the Greatness of Man.

It is sometimes feared that Christianity is in danger; that its days are numbered. Of the Christianity of the Churches, no doubt it is true. That child of many fathers cannot die too soon. It cumbers the ground. The errors which Jesus taught will also fall and die. But Absolute Religion, Absolute Morality, cannot perish; never till Love, Goodness, Devotion, Faith, Reason, fail from the heart of man; never till God melts away and vanishes, and nothing takes the place of the All-in-All. Religion can no more be separated from the race than thought and feeling; nor Absolute Religion die out more than wisdom perish from among men. Man's words, thoughts, churches, fail and pass off like clouds from the sky that leave no track behind. But God's Word can