Welcome to Our Sunday Talks, an exclusive series for the patrons of the inspirational

living podcast.

Today's talk was edited and adapted from The Shining Gateway by James Allen, published in 1915.

The Wise man, the wise woman, by adding thought to thought, and deed to deed, in ways of good,

builds their character.

Little by little, they accomplish their noble lens, in quiet, patient works, diligently.

Daily they build into their heart and mind, pure thoughts, high aspirations, selfless deeds, until at last the edifice of truth is finished,

and behold there rises and appears the temple of perfection.

There is no sure indication of confusion and decadence in spiritual matters than the

severance of morality from religion. He is a highly moral man, but he is not religious. She is exceptionally good and virtuous,

but is not at all spiritual,

are common expressions on the lips of many people

who regard religion as something quite distinct from goodness,

purity, and right living.

If religion be regarded merely and only as worship,

combined with adherence to a particular form of faith,

then it would be correct to say,

they are a very good person, but not religious.

In some instances, just as would be equally correct to say, they are an immoral person, but very religious, in other instances.

For murderers, thieves, and other evildoers are sometimes devout worshippers and zealous adherence to a creed.

Such a narrowing down of religion, however, would render much of the sermon on the Mount superfluous, from a religious point of view, and would confuse the means of religion with its end,

the idolizing of the letter of religion to the exclusion of the spirit.

...