What is the spirit of piety?

Spirits know nothing of that sensational piety, which is wholly wrapped up in contemplation to neglect of duty. Spirits preach the religion of work, of prayer, of adoration. Spirits tell us of our duty to God, to our brother, to our soul and body alike. They leave to foolish men, groping blindly in the dark, their curious quibbles about theological figments.

Spirits deal with practical life.

Their creed may be briefly written―Duty to God, worship, honour and love your Father God.

Duty to neighbour, brotherly love―Help your brother onward in the path of progress.

Duty to self, bodily culture―Tend and guard your own body.

Mental progress―Cultivate every means of extending knowledge.

Spiritual growth―Seek for fuller views of progressive truth.

Integrity―Do right and good in accordance with your knowledge.

Spiritual nurture―Cultivate communion by frequent prayer.

Yield no obedience to any sectarian dogmas. The revelation of God is progressive, bounded by no time, confined to no people. It has never ceased. God reveals Himself as truly now as of old He was revealed on Sinai.

You will learn also that all revelation is made through a human channel and is tinctured with human error. No revelation is of plenary inspiration.

 

Set up no human standard of judgment other than that of right reason. Weigh what is said. If reason commends it, receive it―if not, reject it. Cling to what satisfies your soul and helps its onward progress.