All created things have their degree or stage of maturity. The period of
maturity in the life of a tree is the time of its fruit-bearing. The
maturity of a plant is the time of its blossoming and flower. The animal
attains a stage of full growth and completeness, and in the human kingdom
man reaches his maturity when the lights of intelligence have their
greatest power and development.
From the beginning to the end of his life man passes through certain
periods or stages each of which is marked by certain conditions peculiar
to itself. For instance during the period of childhood his conditions and
requirements are characteristic of that degree of intelligence and
capacity. After a time he enters the period of youth in which his former
conditions and needs are superseded by new requirements applicable to the
advance in his degree. His faculties of observation are broadened and
deepened, his intelligent capacities are trained and awakened, the
limitations and environment of childhood no longer restrict his energies
and accomplishments. At last he passes out of the period of youth and
enters the stage or station of maturity which necessitates another
transformation and corresponding advance in his sphere of life-activity.
New powers and perceptions clothe him, teaching and training commensurate
with his progression occupy his mind, special bounties and bestowals
descend in proportion to his increased capacities and his former period of
youth and its conditions will no longer satisfy his matured view and
vision.
Similarly there are periods and stages in the life of the aggregate world
of humanity which at one time was passing through its degree of childhood,
at another its time of youth but now has entered its long presaged period
of maturity, the evidences of which are everywhere visible and apparent.
Therefore the requirements and conditions of former periods have changed
and merged into exigencies which distinctly characterize the present age
of the world of mankind. That which was applicable to human needs during
the early history of the race could neither meet nor satisfy the demands
of this day and period of newness and consummation. Humanity has emerged
from its former degrees of limitation and preliminary training. Man must
now become imbued with new virtues and powers, new moralities, new
capacities. New bounties, bestowals and perfections are awaiting and
already descending upon him. The gifts and graces of the period of youth
although timely and sufficient during the adolescence of the world of
mankind, are now incapable of meeting the requirements of its maturity.
The playthings of childhood and infancy no longer satisfy or interest the
adult mind.
From every standpoint the world of humanity is undergoing a re-formation.
The laws of former governments and civilizations are in process of
revision, scientific ideas and theories are developing and advancing to
meet a new range of phenomena, invention and discovery are penetrating
hitherto unknown fields revealing new wonders and hidden secrets of the
material universe; industries have vastly wider scope and production;
everywhere the world of mankind is in the throes of evolutionary activity
indicating the passing of the old conditions and advent of the new age of
re-formation. Old trees yield no fruitage; old ideas and methods are
obsolete and worthless now. Old standards of ethics, moral codes and
methods of living in the past will not suffice for the present age of
advancement and progress.
This is the cycle of maturity and re-formation in religion as well.
Dogmatic imitations of ancestral beliefs are passing. They have been the
axis around which religion revolved but now are no longer fruitful; on the
contrary, in this day they have become the cause of human degradation and
hindrance. Bigotry and dogmatic adherence to ancient beliefs have become
the central and fundamental source of animosity among men, the obstacle to
human progress, the cause of warfare and strife, the destroyer of peace,
composure and welfare in the world. Consider conditions in the Balkans
today(1); fathers, mothers, children in grief and lamentation, the
foundations of life overturned, cities laid waste and fertile lands made
desolate by the ravages of war. These conditions are the outcome of
hostility and hatred between nations and peoples of religion who imitate
and adhere to the forms and violate the spirit and reality of the divine
teachings.
While this is true and apparent, it is likewise evident that the Lord of
mankind has bestowed infinite bounties upon the world in this century of
maturity and consummation. The ocean of divine mercy is surging, the
vernal showers are descending, the Sun of Reality is shining gloriously.
Heavenly teachings applicable to the advancement in human conditions have
been revealed in this merciful age. This re-formation and renewal of the
fundamental reality of religion constitute the true and outworking spirit
of modernism, the unmistakable light of the world, the manifest effulgence
of the Word of God, the divine remedy for all human ailment and the bounty
of eternal life to all mankind.