[To TOR EDITOZ OF THE "SPHOTATOR.1
Sie,—Perhaps one reason for the engrossing interest evinced in the Congress on Comparative Religion is to be found in
the growing feeling that religion is, after all, one of the great "cosmic" processes, in fact the greatest. The more it is proved to be universal, the more its "common terms" are laid bare, the more its varying rites and ceremonies are traced to their common origins, the more clearly do we perceive that it must take its place with evolution, natural selection, and all other great world- processes, and be regarded as no less persistent, unfailing, and purposeful than they are. Special revelations, special teachers, special sacred books, each and all suited to the races whence they take their rise, must appear from time to time. But all will eventually be co-ordinated, all will prove to be the children of the one efficient Cause, the inbreathing impulse of the Divine Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, as of life physical, sa of life spiritual no less. Linked as we are on the one hand with all the animal creation, bearing about us continued reminders of our lowly origin, is it strange that spiritually we should also be akin to those to whom as missionaries we seek to minister ? ' Underneath their beliefs, often grotesque, often repulsive, often puerile, is there not still a pathetic questing after the good, the true, the beautiful, the strong? Have we, after two thousand years, wholly reached the summit of the mount of preaching ? Nay, have we not much to learn, as well as much to teach ? Is it not as true to-day as it was when Max Midler said it that "be who only knows one religion is ignorant of that one" ? Immense good will be done by this and by other like Congresses, but not if each religion is to be treated as an isolated phenomenon, beginning with the birth of a race, and ending with its close. There is but one religion, differentiated for each race and nationality under heaven, but owning one Spirit as its source and cause. We worship, and we worship rightly, Him who has come to us as the light of the world. We must remember, also, that He is the light that lighteneth every human soul as well.—I am,
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