A Pig in a Poke

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 318, 31 March 1928, Page 8

A Pig in a Poke

THE QUIET CORNER

(Written for The Sun by the Rev. Charles Chandler, Assistant City Missioner) ~\\RS. WHOSIT was most annoyed on arriving home from the market one Friday evening, on finding that the hen she had bought was a rooster. The poulterer seemed such a nice felloio , afid in consequence she had not inspected her purchase prior to leaving the shop. Mr. Whosit was with her. He carried the bird in a bag, with its beak stuck out of one corner, and its feet, tied loith string, in the other. In the crowded tram he deposited it under the seat, where it behaved itself quite well. Except for an occasional muffled cackle, it did nothing to betray its sex or its presence. Nevertheless , as has been indicated, Mrs. Whosit had bought a pig in a poke; a thing which she avowed she had never done before. A whole host of people get their religion in the same way—like a pig in a poke. It comes to them as a sort of bequest, nicely wrapped up in creeds and formulae, and they don't even unpack it. They store it aioay in some cranny of the mind, and just bring it out on Sundays. With its beak stuck out of the bag, it breathes just enough spiritual atmosphere to keep it alive, and preserves enough strength for an occasional cackle. Like the rooster under the seat, scarcely anyone ■is aware of its presence. There is nothing wrong icith having one's religion wrapped up in creeds and formulae, so long as one umcraps it now and again to make sure that it gets a little exercise, and that it is of the right breed.. The “hen” type of religion brings results, but the “ rooster ” type makes much noise and gets nowhere. Religion , to be really vital and productive, must be emotionally acquired and intellectually endorsed. Coming by way of the heart, it must find its way to the head, become a part of the co7iscious mind, and work itself out in action. NEXT WEEK: WHEN THE NUMBERS GO UP.