My Philosophy and My Religion

Although I am using the word Philosophy according to the conception, or rather the definition, of Sir Wm. Hamilton—The study of effects by their causes—I am not aiming to present any “system” of philosophy as such; but rather to point out some facts of life that I have found true and valuable, that may be of help to others.

So likewise in regard to Religion—truly conceived and lived, it is a tremendous force in connection with the affairs and problems of our common every‑day life. Were I to attempt even to use any but simple common language, it would be like the story told recently by the sister of a friend who is practising dentistry in the south. There she does not ordinarily take colored people, but sometimes does. One day a colored boy was in the chair. She reached the point where she squeezed the hot air from the little bulb into the tooth. “Do you feel that air?” she said. Looking up he said, “That air what?”

We are all in life’s play whether we will or not. The other day this little incident was related by a friend at our house: There was a little gathering of friends one evening, and during the course of the evening someone proposed that they play a game—The Game of Faces. “It’s this way,” said he, “Tom, here, will be the judge, and at the end of five minutes he will tap the bell, and will award the prize to the one making the homeliest face and holding it for the greatest length of time.” At the end of the five minutes Tom tapped the bell and said, “Well, I award the prize to Mrs. McManus here.” “Oh, ’tain’t fair,” said she, “I wasn’t playing.”