religion with us been an impulse toward men, or away from men?_

Seventh Day: Be Useful or Die

And he spake this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in
his vineyard; and he came seeking fruit thereon, and found none.
And he said unto the vinedresser, Behold, these three years I come
seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why
doth it also cumber the ground? And he answering saith unto him,
Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and
dung it: and if it bear fruit thenceforth, well; but if not, thou
shalt cut it down.--Luke 13:6-9.

Jesus evidently had some interest in scientific agriculture. Both the
owner and the vine-dresser in this parable were out for agricultural
efficiency. The owner hated to see soil and space wasted; the vine-dresser
was reluctant to sacrifice a tree, and proposed better tillage and more
fertilizer. Taking this parable in connection with what precedes, we see
that Jesus was concerned about the future of his nation and its religion.
Both would have to validate their right to exist; God could not have them
cumber the ground. They must make good. This is the stern urge of the God
whom we know in history and evolution, with the voice of Christ pleading
for patience. But it is agreed between them that ultimately the law of
fitness must rule. Religion can not bank on claims of antiquity alone.
Every generation must find it newly efficient to create the social virtues
then needed. Remember that this was spoken by a Jewish patriot and the
supreme exponent of the Hebrew religion.

Give historical instances of the permanent downfall or decline of nations.
Trace the connection between their fate and their religion.

Study for the Week

Jesus Christ was the founder of the highest religion; he was himself the
purest religious spirit known to us. Why, then, was he in opposition to
religion? The clash between him and the representatives of organized
religion was not occasional or superficial. It ran through his whole
activity, was one of the dominant notes in his teaching, culminated in the
great spiritual duel between him and the Jewish hierarchy in the last days
at Jerusalem, and led directly to his crucifixion.

I

The opposition of Jesus was not, of course, against religion itself, but
against religion as he found it. It was not directed against any departure
from the legitimate order of the pries