Great Construction

Kindness and Modesty

     That which is most lacking in contemporary times is the profundity which makes for genuine kindness and modesty.
     In our church there is a standard by which we can know the extent of our spiritual advancement in this regard. If we have come to hate to quarrel with our fellow men and true kindness, sympathy, and modesty automatically spring forth in our hearts, then we can be said to have attained to considerable spiritual advancement. Such an attitude attests to the measure of our faith. It is thus that we may become loved and respected by all and serve the purpose of our church best.
     In modern society, in many places we find hatred, fault-finding, and iniquities of all kinds. Genuine kindness and modesty are rarely present. In nearly every way, people are selfishly aggressive, competitive, argumentative. They do not seem to mind incurring the ill will of others. This may perhaps be attributed to postwar liberalism.
     Then there are people who have an unhealthy curiosity, are cold-hearted, or like to exploit others for gain or for amusement. People of this nature also seem to be on the increase. As a result society is becoming colder and darker to a corresponding degree. These distortions and iniquities seem to be one of the main reasons there are so many suicides these days in Japan.
     A truly civilized society adheres to spiritual, moral, and ethical standards as a matter of course. Genuine concern for one another and cooperativeness prevail rendering life comfortable and pleasant in every sense. A social order of this nature would constitute paradise on earth.
     The basic requirement to bring about such a society is true faith and the high spiritual attitudes which enable the unfoldment of the Divine nature in man. To this end our church is is dedicated.
 

The Glory, Number 036, page 1, February 10, 1962