Stephen L. Richards Quotes on Religions & Spirituality (2 Quotes)

I give to my friends the assurance that if they will recast their ideas and attitudes about the relative importance of the spiritual to the material, and bring themselves to participate in the mighty cause of establishing God's kingdom in the earth, they will find a satisfaction, a sureness of purpose, a peace and contentment, surpassing anything they have ever known. They will not be ashamed to say to themselves and to their fellows that God and his work come first. When they can develop the faith and the courage to make this acknowledgment, self-sufficiency and egotism will be replaced by humility of spirit. The brotherhood of man will become real to them. Their service will be ennobled, and they will lay the foundation for the attainment of the highest rewards and blessings vouchsafed to humanity.

Some time ago a member of my family sent to me a critical article written by Mr. Edmund Fuller in a publication called Saturday Review. The criticism of the writer is directed against the effort made to satisfy what the author designates as 'general religious hunger,' with books, articles, and public appearances of nationally advertised individuals, carrying on a propaganda for what is characterized as (these are quotes) 'the good life,' 'peace of mind,' 'positive thinking,' and 'successful' or 'confident living.' What the author objects to most strenuously is not so much that propaganda should be issued for the optimism of 'peace of mind' and 'positive thinking,' but that this psychological optimism should be held out in any form as an interpretation of or a substitute for the real Christian religion.