Written by Rev. C. C. Harcourt, in the Canadian Churchman, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Jan. 2, 1924

The sincerity of a man's religious belief is most clearly shown in the application of his faith to the problems of his daily life, and in his attitude towards his fellowmen. So Christianity, which is essentially a religion of love, demands of its adherents a sympathetic and loving outlook on life; and a good Christian is he who not only loves his God, but also his fellow-men. This aspect of religion is emphasized in many places in the Bible. Thus Micah answers the gift of more and larger sacrifices and burnt offerings with the words, "And what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy." He demands less religious observances and more practical expression. Isaiah also quotes God: "I am full of the burnt offerings"..."cease to do evil; learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow." Amos has the same thought, "I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies.... But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream." Hosea in his turn sums it all up in saying, "For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice." ...All the prophets, time and again, emphasize the important place in our religion that service must hold.

The writers in the New Testament with their greater knowledge and deeper spiritual insight, gained from knowledge of Christ and his teachings, also emphasize the practical aspect of religion. James, who in his theology lays so great stress on works, writes, "Faith without works is dead." A religion which does not express itself in deeds is not, in St. James' opinion, a vital living faith. St. John, the disciple of love, as one would expect, bases his plea for a practical expression of religion on the ground of love. So he writes, "Whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother." Indeed, St. John uses the test of brotherhood as the part of a Christian spirit, "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren." The reason for all service he gives us in the words, "If God so loved us, we ought also to love one another." I turning to St. Paul, we find that apart from his words, his whole life is an illustration of service. He regarded neither his comfort nor his safety in his work for the people of all lands. Not only is this shown in such acts as making collection for the poor of Jerusalem, but also by his journeyings and his dangers.... From the prophets and apostles, we turn to our highest authority, Jesus Christ himself. Here abundant evidence is found. His whole life is surely spent in the service of others. His ministry is full of incidents, when the sick are healed, and the destitute and the fallen given a fresh start in life. His scorn of the Pharisee, who broke the moral law of love, is emphatic and withering. He tells his disciples that "he that is greatest among you shall be your servant." Similarly, for himself he says, "I am among you as he that serveth."