Our Faith - Twenty Lessons separated into four.
By Edward A. Horton
1902
Preface
Teaching doctrines in our Sunday Schools has always been viewed with distrust. Creeds have never been imposed on our children. But a strong feeling has risen in behalf of such a simple and central instruction as may bestow upon the young an intelligent idea of universal religion and genuine Christianity. “Our Faith,” as represented in the following lessons, is supposed to meet this desire. Indeed, one may call it a deep need; for religion without convictions must be very vague and uncertain, resting on the emotions. The “:Five Points” taught and enforced in the following chapters are so inclusive, so capable of indefinite expansion, so complete in their application to all life, that there does not seem to be any possibility of mental bondage or spiritual slavery.
On the other hand, these lessons will be found helpful in laying the foundations of character, conferring a reasonable religious belief, interpreting the Bible, and planting ever-growing truths in the scholar’s mind. The author of this statement of belief was convinced that it would be widely accepted in the twentieth century by the progressive members of all sects. This is coming somewhat true already, for it has been adopted in many of the so-called Trinitarian churches. Nothing similar has found such a wide use in our own churches and Sunday Schools.
The teachers using this in Sunday Schools, or parents teaching it at home, are advised to secure some of the books referred to in the lessons. These pamphlets or volumes will be very helpful, and they will also lead to still further supplies of information through the references contained in their own pages. The author of this manual believes that any Sunday School making a thorough course of these lessons will strengthen the cause of liberal religion in a most substantial manner. Religious convictions are the great need of the hour. Central truths such as these cannot be too deeply impressed or too much illustrated.
Edward A. Horton
Lesson One
Our Faith
THE FATHERHOOD OF GOD.
THE BROTHERHOOD OF MAN.
THE LEADERSHIP OF JESUS.
SALVATION BY CHARACTER.
THE PROGRESS OF MANKING, ONWARD
AND UPWARD FOREVER.
I. THE TALK.
We are to talk together about Our Faith. It is printed above. Perhaps you would like to know where it came from and why it is just in the shape you see it?
It grew.
It is a great many years old, how many I cannot tell. Yes, it took hundreds of years to become what it is. You see a certain number of letters in print, not many, and you might think anyone could make this; but not so.
Many Men made it.
Wise men and good men thought and thought wrote and wrote, telling what they felt to be the truth about God and all things. We know what they did by the books that have come to us, many of them very old writings. All the time there was some more light, some progress, because the truth was shining in on man more from God. So there were many “faiths,” and there are now; for men do not see and think alike.
One Man.
At last one man, good and wise, wrote out what you find at the beginning of this lesson. His name was James Freeman Clarke, a preacher, much beloved and honored. He had studied the Bible, and knew all that had been said before. Instead of making a long one, he made a short “faith.” He said: “This is what people will believe in the Twentieth Century. This is what we ought to learn, remember, and love.”
Five Points.
We will call them the five points of our faith. Dr. Clarke thought that such simple, clear points could be understood by everyone. He did not claim them as original; but, as I have said, he told us they grew. They came as fruit on the great branches of the past.
The Truth.
We do not want to study these five points, if they are not true. But we believe them to be the truth. There are many other things that are true, which are not mentioned in this statement. No one can put everything into one short list. These are what we call “central.” They will always be true; and from them we may go, and to them return as long as we live.
The Wisdom of It.
Now is not this wise? Having this faith, you are like a man with a compass. The compass does not give you a map, but it tells you the points, and helps the traveler on the land and the sailor on the sea. We are trying to reach in life character, happiness, and usefulness. Our faith points the way, though we are so different in our lives. It makes everything safe and sure for all.
Other Faiths.
Some persons believe in different statements from this one. They are sometimes called “creeds.” I have nothing to say about those. This is ours; and we want to know some of the reasons why we believe it, and why we are trying to lead others to accept it. In the lessons to follow, each of the five points will be taken up, and we will try to make clear what they mean, what they ask us to believe, and what they command us to do.
The Three Gates.
There are three gates through which we must go to learn about our faith. I may call them The Gate Wonderful, The Gate Beautiful, and The Gate Dutiful. Or we can call the three The Thought Gate, The Heart Gate, and the Will Gate. You and I, and all persons, have those three gates by which great truths come.
II. HINTS TO TEACHERS.
First of all, have the pupils memorize the faith. Let it be repeated in unison at each session of the class. Explain what is meant by the growth of Christian belief. Mention the councils and theologians who have contributed to this progress. Show how the teaching of Jesus has been slowly understood. Refer to the life of James Freeman Clarke, and describe how such a man, with open mind, gathered in truth from all quarters. Do not fail to make clear the value, the superior value, over all other “creeds” of one that embodies the central truths of religion. They need not be unlearned as we grow older, but they can be enriched. The Three Gates will be treated more fully in the next lesson.
III. QUESTIONS FOR PUPILS.
How old is this faith?
Did many men help to make it?
Did it grow?
What man put it into this form?
Can you mention anything about him?
What other name has our faith?
Is it like a compass?
Do we believe our faith to be true?
What kind of truth is it?
Was it wise to make it so short?
What are the names of the Three Gates?
References.
Those who use this course of lessons are urged to read on large lines. The subjects treated are very wide and inclusive, touching theology at all points. The works of Channing, Parker, Hedge, and Clarke, will be found helpful. For more particular aids, of a manual kind, I suggest James Freeman Clarke’s “Manual of Unitarian Belief,” Minot J. Savage’s “Unitarian Catechism,” and Charles F. Dole’s “ A Catechism of Liberal Faith.” Among the free tracts of the Unitarian Association are many well adapted to meet the present needs. I also advise the use of A. W. Gould’s “Beginnings.” All the volumes mentioned above will be available through the entire series of lessons. Among the books specially adapted for particular lessons are Minot J. Savage’s “Belief in God,” John Fiske’s “Through Nature to God,” and his “Destiny of Man,” George A. Gordon’s “The Witness to Immortality,” J. H. Crooker’s “Jesus Brought Back,” Professor F. G. Peabody’s “Jesus Christ and the Social Question,” Smiles’ “Character,” Kramer’s “Right Road.”
Lesson Two
I. THE TALK.
In our last talk I told you there were three gates by which we learned our faith. And I promised to tell you more about them. We shall use them in the coming lessons. Everyone can think, can feel, can act. Of course, we learn other truths by the same gates; but I want to show how it is with the five points of our faith in the talks we are to have.
Thought Gate.
I suppose animals think some, but how much no one can tell. How much do you think they think? We say the have “instinct.” But what is instinct? I call it a kind of reason, an exercise of mind. We have more thinking power, and can study ourselves. I doubt if a dog or cat or horse studies himself.
Wonder.
Now one of the first things that happened to man long ago was the habit of wondering. The first part of the Thought Gate is wonder, and that is why I called it also the Gate Wonderful. If we did not wonder, we should not be curious; and, if we were not curious, we should not learn anything.
Curiosity.
So the first ones who lived on the earth wondered at what they saw. The sun, stars, winds, hills, skies, excited curiosity. And ever since men have been thinking, searching, learning. They have passed in and out of the Thought Gate. What have they found out? Why, ever so much about the earth, its age, its climate, its contents; ever so much about the stars, navigation, and health; but, still greater, something about God, who made all these things, about the soul, about heaven.
Truth-seeker.
Those who were leaders in all this were called truth-seekers, and also God-seekers. Because when you go in by the Thought Gate, searching for truth, you are really searching for God. This is one of the ways “Our Faith” came to be found, -by the thinking power of man.
Heart Gate.
Now there is a second way, and I called it before, the Gate Beautiful, or the Heart Gate. It is beautiful because you have such lovely things with it, -music, pictures, poetry, and friendship. Our feelings are very strong. You know it. They sometimes carry us away. We like certain things, and we do not like other things. When we get excited and are stirred, then we are filled with feeling.
Good and Bad.
Of course, good and bad go through the Heart Gate, and that is true of the Thought Gate, too; but now we have in mind the good and beautiful. We can guard the Heart Gate: we can invite what we prefer to pass through it. We can make noble sentiments enter in and rejoice us.
Worship.
After a while the first men built places of worship, built altars, and worshiped God. They not only wondered and learned, but they found in their hearts a desire to pray and to sing psalms, and to speak of Him who made all things. This they did, -not as we do, but in their wild, ignorant ways. There was too much fear and superstition at the Gate Beautiful then, in those old days, so long ago.
God’s Goodness.
But now, with new light, we believe in God’s love. Something in our souls answers to His call. We cannot always explain this feeling, but the beautiful picture of a heavenly Father shines upon us. We are His children: we can speak to Him. This means much more than just thinking.
Will Gate.
One more, and we are done. To think and to feel, -these help us to understand God and religion; but there is another important way, -that of doing. First we think, then we feel, then we act. By the Will Gate come noble deeds, great examples, splendid reforms. Character is made by the will working steadily right on, in good habits.
Words of Jesus.
Jesus often spoke of the Will Gate, or the Gate of Duty. Not those who cried, “Lord, Lord!” but those who did what was commanded were to enter the kingdom of heaven. By doing our duty we honor our Father in heaven. Conscience is at this gate. So, also, is good-will, obedience, heroism. What a splendid array of companions! The martyrs, reformers, are there, and all the true, faithful ones from home, store, field, and office.
The Kingdom.
They all have one object, -to build a kingdom, the kingdom of God. Religion is a creed, is a prayer. It is also a work. That work is to make the world better. If we leave out the Gate of Duty, we destroy all the rest. So you see how all I have said bears on our faith. “Thy kingdom come!” That is a thought, and Thought Gate is open. “Thy kingdom come!” rings in our minds and stirs our hearts, and Heart Gate is open. “Thy kingdom come!” leads us to action, to do something noble and beautiful; and then Will Gate is open.
II. HINTS TO TEACHERS.
The figure of the three gates is used to make the subject easier. Draw out the pupils as to animals and their power to think. Show how the truth-seeker is the God-seeker. There is a fine opportunity here to interest your class in noble examples of thinkers who have “thought God’s thoughts after Him”; in saints, who were great and good at heart; in reformers, who dared all to make religion a real thing, -thought, feeling, action. Explain how God comes to us, is revealed in us, by these three channels.
III. QUESTIONS FOR PUPILS.
What was the preceding lesson-talk about?
What is the subject of this one?
Can you name the three gates?
What is wonder?
Why are we curious?
What is the name for a truth-seeker?
What does the Heart Gate stand for?
Why is it beautiful?
Why do men build churches?
Can you give any other name for Will Gate?
What about faith and work?
What about building a kingdom?
Lesson Three
I. THE TALK
Before we take up the separate points of our faith and talk about them, I want to speak of another gate by which we receive great help.
Memory Gate.
If we did not remember anything, we could not think, feel, or act. So you see we are like four-squared towers, a gate on each side,-four great gates. By memory we are able to call up the past and add to it. This is the way history grows, and mankind climbs higher. We know more than those who lived hundreds of years ago, because we remember what they knew and remember all that has been said and done in the past.
Therefore.
So I ask you to “learn by heart,” as some say, to memorize a form of Our Faith now, at the beginning of our studies and talks. I think it better than to wait until we have finished. At the end I will give you something else to memorize. This we are now to learn was written by one of our leading preachers, Rev. Frederick B. Mott, a clear thinker. He believes in this faith, and tells us how to use it every day.
I BELIEVE IN THE FATHERHOOD OF GOD.
Therefore, I have no fear, but go about my daily work in trustfulness and gladness of heart.
I BELIEVE IN THE BROTHERHOOD OF MAN.
Therefore, I love my fellow-men, and act with good-will toward all.
I BELIEVE IN THE LEADERSHIP OF JESUS.
Therefore, I follow him.
I BELIEVE IN SALVATION BY CHARACTER.
Therefore, I keep my heart pure, and my thoughts set upon high things, that I may grow into the life divine.
I BELIEVE IN THE PROGRESS OF MANKIND, ONWARD AND UPWARD FOREVER.
Therefore, the cares of this world cannot utterly weigh me down. The glory of the unseen is ever before me. I live not for this world only, but in anticipation of an infinite future.
The Greatest Thing.
The greatest thing in this world is religion. How is this? Because we are always wondering who made this world, and how it grew, and where we came from, and what we ought to do. When we are gone, others will wonder and think, too.
To Be and to Do.
But, the more we wonder and think and ask questions, the more we ask one particular question: What ought I to be and what ought I to do? No matter how large the world grows and how old the earth gets to be, there is always the greatest question about the greatest thing: What must I do about religion? How can I get the good out of it? Then comes a little word that helps us.
Now.
Yes! That small word is really a great one. Now! We are talking over our faith, in order to get something clear and strong from religion which will help us now. If it helps us now, it will help us by and by. If it is true now, it will be true in the future. If it is good for this life, it will be good for the next life.
I will Remember.
I must remember our faith because I cannot talk about it as I ought if I forget it. If we do not keep memory gate open, then we have nothing clear in our mind. You know how it is with those who travel. Some see and forget. Others see and remember a great deal, but it is blurred. Others see and can tell all about it. What makes the difference?
Picking Out.
I will remember because these points are keys, they unlock doors. There are great things and small things in the mind. Now the secret of getting the most good from religion is to learn and remember a few truths, they will call up the rest.
Growth.
I must remember, so that I can make my character grow. The first time we learn anything by memory, it is only just planted. We must keep it there faithfully in our thought, cultivate it with love and study, and then it grows and bears fruit. What we are depends very much on keeping in mind some great thoughts.
Wait.
You may reply that you do not understand some of the words. But wait. Learn them and wait. We all read many sayings we do not understand entirely at first. Indeed, we never know all they mean. But it would be wrong to omit learning them and treasuring them in our hearts and minds. Every day they will become clearer and dearer.
II. HINTS TO TEACHERS.
The object of this lesson is twofold: to give a practical turn to the general subject, and to enforce the value of memory. Religious teaching with us has often gone too far astray from the best methods. We begin at the wrong end. Let us lay a simple, strong foundation: then we will build and decorate. If one lesson is not enough, take another in which to implant and illustrate the five points and comment by Mr. Mott. Have the pupils memorize them thoroughly. At the end of our course I will use Mrs. Beatley’s “Exposition of Our Faith” as another memorizing lesson. Talk over the differences between a religious faith that dwells on the future and a statement like this that concerns daily life. Explain the “logic” or “therefore” of religious truth. Define and defend the position that religion is the greatest element in human life, when viewed historically, or as a spring in human conduct.
III. QUESTION FOR PUPILS.
What is the fourth gate?
Why is it so important?
Could we become men and women without it?
How is it necessary in religion?
Who wrote some “therefores” about our faith?
Can you repeat them?
Are they intended to save us in a future life or to help us now?
What is the greatest thing in this world?
Why?
What is the greatest question in this world?
Why must we remember?
What is meant by “picking out”?
How does character grow?
What is meant by “learn and wait”?
Lesson Four
I. THE TALK,
Let us divide our talk about the Fatherhood of God, which is our subject, into three parts. Today we will look back and see what were the old ideas about God. In the next lesson we will take up what the Bible says about it; and in the third talk we must answer the question, What ought we to do?
In the Beginning.
Why is it not good for us to have some questions and answers now? In that way we can make clearer what we are trying to learn.
QUESTION. Did men think about God at first, long ago, as we do?
ANSWER. No, they had many gods.
Q. What objects did they honor in their worship?
A. The sun, moon, stars, trees, winds, mountains, and many other things.
Q. Were all these gods good?
A. No, some were bad.
Q. Did all the people have the same gods?
A. No, tribes and nations had different gods, and they were often at war.
Q. How do you explain this?
A. People were ignorant in those days. They made ideas of gods after their own passions.
Q. Was it fear or love that made them worship gods?
A. Mostly fear.
Q. What did the savages do?
A. They offered sacrifices of all kinds to make peace with their gods.
Afterward.
You see that wonder and fear were the beginnings of the thought of the Creator. As we stand by the Thought Gate and see what was in the minds of the peoples centuries ago, a strange procession passes by, until true ideas came.
Power.
The savages saw a great strange world. It was full of power, force, might. Storms, night and day, seasons and sickness, were stronger than they. So, to make friends with this Great Power. They did all they could. They bowed, terror-stricken, in prayer, they ran into caves, they worshipped in their blind way.
QUESTION. How was all this changed?
ANSWER. Men thought, and there came answers to their thoughts.
Q. What were the great helps to this nobler idea of God?
A. The teachings of Moses and of Jesus.
Q. Can we mention other important sources?
A. Yes, science, education in schools, the spread of discovery and civilization.
Q. How did these help to bring a true thought of God?
A. By showing law and order in all things.
Q. What do we mean by saying that we have answers to our searching minds?
A. God is Thought, and He answers the search for truth.
Q. What two words do we use in the place of wonder and fear?
A. Reason and love.
Q. Can we ever see God?
A. Only through His works.
Q. Do we learn of Him through ourselves?
A. Yes, very much, because man is the greatest creation of God we know.
Q What, then, should be our object?
A. To be good, wise, noble, because in that way we are able to understand God and His laws.
Growing.
Thus we see that man has been growing to a nobler idea of God. Why men did not know at first what we know now is something we cannot answer. The universe grew; this earth grew; everything has come up from beginnings. So we believe that the law of growth is a good one. I suppose other peoples after us will know more, and have a worthier idea of the Creator.
One Root.
In looking back, we see that there was one hope ,- to know more about the Creator. The old peoples were honest, and worshipped according to their light. Are we true to the light we have? It is very great. We believe in one God, who made all things, who rules all things in goodness, who is our heavenly Father. Such a faith ought to inspire us to be obedient, brave, and noble. An English poet, George Herbert, has truly said, -
All may of Thee partake;
Nothing so small can be
But draws, when acted for Thy sake,
Greatness and worth from Thee.
II. HINTS TO TEACHERS.
You have a fertile field here. The actual facts of early, primeval worship are always interesting to pupils. Trace briefly the growth of ideas about God. Give some account of old customs and superstitions. Yet preserve the line of continuous development. Show how the process of ascent has been natural and steady. Religions have changed, but religion has remained. Encourage the class to ask questions and to discuss the subject. Some memory work may be done, in the questions and answers here given, and the stanza from Herbert.
III. QUESTIONS FOR PUPILS.
Have you read anywhere about savages and their forms of worship?
Did the people of old believe alike?
Do they have the same faith?
Did one tribe have gods that were hostile to the gods of other tribes?
How did the men in old times explain sickness and calamities and death?
How do we explain these things?
Why are churches built?
Why is God worshiped?
Which is the greater, what we see or what we do not see?
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