us for itself. Sufficient unto the day
is the evil thereof.--Matt. 6:25-34.

This is a song of divine carelessness; not the recklessness of a tramp who
has lost his self-respect and his capacity for long outlooks, but the
carelessness of an aristocratic spirit, conscious of his high human
dignity. God has given us life; will he not give what life needs? If the
birds and the lilies can make a living, can not we? It is pagan and
low-bred to wear out our souls with worry about minor needs.

The key to this passage lies in the words "your Father," and "his
Kingdom." Man is a child of God, and that dignity gives some calm and
assurance amid the worries of life. If we set our life toward the Kingdom
as the supreme aim, all the lesser interests will drop to their proper
place. In the measure in which the will of God is done and his
righteousness practiced among men, the satisfaction of the main material
wants will be easy. The Kingdom, the true social order, is the highest
good; all other good things are contained in it.

To worry or not to worry, that is the question. _Have we ever tried the
adoption of a high aim as the way to happiness?_

Fifth Day: Sunny Religion

And John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting: and they come
and say unto him, Why do John's disciples and the disciples of the
Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not? And Jesus said unto
them, Can the sons of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom
is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they
cannot fast. But the days will come, when the bridegroom shalt be
taken away from them, and then will they fast in that day. No man
seweth a piece of undressed cloth on an old garment: else that
which should fill it up taketh from it, the new from the old, and
a worse rent is made. And no man putteth new wine into old
wine-skins; else the wine will burst the skins, and the wine
perisheth, and the skins: but they put new wine into fresh
wine-skins.--Mark 2:18-22.

Fasting was an important part of piety with strict Jews. It was an
expression of religious sorrow and self-abasement. Afflicting the body
intensified this spiritual emotion. The disciples of the Pharisees and of
John were surprised and shocked by the fact that Jesus and his group
disregarded this custom. The reply of Jesus shows the religious temper of
Jesus in a new light. He says his disciples were happy, li