es in rituals, ceremonies,
sacraments. This way may be effective. When it is, the body-mind
actually is lifted above its usual state, the spiritual nature is
evoked. But when this way is not effective it merely results in exciting
the body-mind and gives people the illusion that this excitation is true
worship. Or it may result in a sterile enactment of outward forms.

The other way is just the opposite. It consists of the effort to reduce
the body-mind below its usual state, so that it will not interfere with
worship. All externals are dispensed with. No religious symbols are in
view. No music is provided, no rituals, no appointed speakers. The
external setting is as plain as possible, so that the body-mind may be
more readily quieted. Internally, too, the attempt is to remove all
causes of excitement, all of the ordinarily stimulating thoughts,
images, desires. The one thought that should be present is the thought
of turning Godward, seeking Him, waiting before Him. This way may be
effective. When it is, the body-mind is subordinated and ceases to exist
as the principal part of man. The spiritual nature is activated and
lifted up. When, however, this way is not effective, it merely produces
deadness.

In both cases the test is this: Does the spiritual nature arise? Friends
have chosen the way of subduing the body-mind, of excluding it from
worship except insofar as it may act as an organ of expression of the
risen spirit. Having chosen this way, we are called upon to do it
effectively, creatively. If we succeed--and we sometimes do--our inner
life is resurrected, the whole man is regenerated, and a living worship
connects man with God. But if we fail--and we often do--the spiritual
nature remains as if dead, and, on top of this, we pile a deadened
body-mind. What should be a meeting for worship, a place where man and
God come together, becomes a void. There is no life, only a sterile
quietism. Sterile quietism is as bad as sterile ritualism.

Sterility, in whatever form, is what we want to avoid. Creativity is
what we must recover--aliveness, growth, moving, wonder, reverence, a
sense of being related to the vast motions of that ocean of light and
love.

WHAT TO DO IN THE MEETING FOR WORSHIP

Definite periods for worship should be established because, constituted
as we are, worship does not occur as naturally as it might, and at all
times. Unless we set aside regularly recurring times, many of us are not