Page:The Collected Works of Theodore Parker volume 3.djvu/204

Rh Christian theology may easily draw even a great man from the self-subsistency of pure human religion. It is

The succeeding Quakers were still more easily satisfied with the poor ideas which the Christian theology offered of God, of man, of their relation, of miraculous and finished inspiration, and salvation by another's blood; they contented themselves with making broad their phylacteries, with enlarging the borders of their garments, and being called of men "thee" and "thou." But while listening for the echo of footsteps taken thousands of years gone by, they heeded not the beauteous Presence then and there passing before them, and not far from each. No wonder their prophetic blossom fell idle, and they brought no fruit to perfection. But the rise of such men as John Woolman, Job Scott, Elias Hicks, and a few others, as well men as women, showed that the ashes which a Christian theology raked over Pox and Nayler, and Barclay and Penn, could not smother the seeds of fire which God planted in human nature, and with the fresh breath of inspiration quickens to new and fair religious life. How vain to worship an idol!

All along, in all the ages of populous mankind, there have risen up sons of the spirit who scorned the little theologies of Hebrew, or heathen, or Christian churches, left such farthing candles under the priest's bushel or the couch of a nun, and in the light of God's morning went forth amid the grass and the flowers of nature, catching the song of earliest birds, and, like the newly risen sun, serving and praising God by their free joyous life of daily duty. When shall we close the lists and seek truth no more? When humanity gives up the ghost. The loving of the maiden is beautiful and joyous as the wedlock of the bride. Noble German Luther said, "If God would stand before me, truth in his right hand, search for truth in the left, and