nd a benevolent institution, and after you are
dead it becomes a nest of graft. Even the Church of Jesus was for
centuries so corrupt that all good men felt its reform in head and members
to be the greatest desideratum in Christendom. Evil is more durable and
versatile than youth and optimism imagine. The belief in a satanic power
of evil expresses the conviction of the permanent power of evil. In early
Christianity the belief in the devil was closely connected with the
Christian opposition to the idolatrous and wicked social order of
heathenism. In the Apocalypse the dragon who stands for Satan, and the
beasts who stand for the despotic Roman Empire, are in close alliance.

What are the satanic social forces today?

The parable of the tares grew out of a personal experience. _Has our
observation ever furnished anything similar?_

Sixth Day: The Irrepressible Conflict

Think not that I came to send peace on the earth: I came not to
send peace, but a sword. For I came to set a man at variance
against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the
daughter in law against her mother in law: and a man's foes shall
be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more
than me is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter
more than me is not worthy of me. And he that doth not take his
cross and follow after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth
his life shall lose it; and he that loseth his life for my sake
shall find it.--Matt. 10:34-39.

Into a world controlled by sin was launched the life of Christ. The more
completely he embodied the divine character and will, the more certain and
intense would be the conflict between him and the powers dominating the
old order. He accepted this fight, not only for himself but for his
followers. It would follow them up into the intimacies of their homes. Any
faith that takes the Kingdom of God seriously, has its fight cut out for
it. Unless we accept our share of it, we are playing with our
discipleship. But when the fight is for the Kingdom of God, those who
dodge, lose; and those who lose, win.

Which involves more conflict, a life set on the Kingdom of God on earth,
or a faith set on the life to come?

_Does the idea of a fighting faith attract us?_

_Would this serve as a __"__substitute for war__"__?_

Seventh Day: Militant Gentleness

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, and pr