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Show Lack of Earnestness in the Desire for Religion Tragedy of the Modern Age By DEAN ROBBINS, Cathedral of St. John the Divine. Young people of the present day do not desire religion with the urge and earnestness that they follow other quests such as art and science. The tragedy of the modern age is divided aims. Psychology has shown us that divided aims or a divided will is the cause of nervous maladies. Earnestness is the very first condition of success in life. We find this principle the value of earnest wishing exemplified on every side. Your strongest wishes march in the direction of your goal. Choose at random the names of great poets, artists and men of all walks of life, and you will find this principle the open sesame. Their achievement, whatever it was, was founded on the very strength of their purpose and desire. They knocked until the door was opened. Their importunity opened the door. We must desire religious faith more than earthly things, for it is that -Pearl of Great Price. There is a desire in almost every one for goodness, but it isn't stiffened into importunity. It is too feeble.' Persons often do good and creditable things through far from noble motives, chiefly because of pressure from other people. The reason we do not respond to causes more readily, is not because we are stingy but because we are sleepy. |