Page:W. H. Chamberlin 1919, The Study of Philosophy.djvu/48

46 an impossible heaven. He is in our midst and ever within call, though there are difficulties in the way of securing his attention such as are at times in the way of our power to awaken our own latent interests, so that we may often be disappointed, and often may have to continue through many a night in prayer before our Father responds to our individual need.

Finally our studies teach us in regard to the meaning of life that life must not be identified with the body, nor should the death of the body be thought of as the destruction of our lives. We have come to view the body as a great instrument slowly and patiently developed through many millions of years, and now as a gift that permits us to enter upon this present and very precious season of growth, of growth in character or principles of action that will rise again into other seasons of growth. For the time and the energy devoted to the creation of the human body and the correlated free agency of man may be taken as a measure of God’s interest in man, and as a promise, like that which is guaranteed us by the exalted character and life of Christ, of personal immortality, or that through God’s resources we shall have such aid as will be needed in order that we may continue to be conscious of ourselves, and of course of those through whom we have been able to achieve self—consciousness here, in those other seasons of growth. Our studies encourage us to believe most confidently that in our Father's house there are many mansions besides this one in which we now live, and that no seer has yet been able to dream of the values to be achieved by us in future stages of work and growth. In fact our studies would lead us to believe that since the difference between man and God is but one of degree, and that since no limit can be imagined to the increase of our intelligence, man may become as God is now, as they also suggest that God, with all his power, wisdom, and love progressively realizes his life and was once as we are now, and that he is a perfected or exalted man.

Philosophy is a scientific interest which constantly seeks to grow with life so as to function in adequately relating life to the environing world and thereby enabling us to achieve our highest good, our fullest living. A philosophy is needed and is developed by every one. It alone is never sufficient to enable us to run a machine or to fully manage any of the details of conduct. But one might understand a ship in all of its parts and be able to manage it most efficiently. The captain of the ship might sleep. But without a constant use of the compass or the stars by the man at the wheel, the ship might be wrecked or get nowhere. One’s philosophy provides direction for the general course of life but cannot offer specific directions for the running of an automobile, a ship, a farm, a government, or a