should be condemned like poison gas on the battlefield. And, lastly, it
must never be forgotten that there are certain things with regard to
which attempted suppression by law is certain to result in evil and
disaster. With regard to these things the influence of religion, on the
other hand, may be all-effective if it is kept absolutely distinct from
any question of legislation or of legal penalties. The spheres of
religion and the criminal law must never be confused. Shakespeare, "the
mirror of human nature" for all time, once blended bitter irony with
infinite pathos. "Measure for Measure" has its warning for every age.
It would be well to study the ugliest as well as the most beautiful
parts of that drama, and see what it really means, and what is its
lesson.

Exercised within its proper sphere the influence of religion may still
be as potent a force now as in the past. It may inspire the right frame
of mind in dealing with every question, may encourage hope, sustain
faith, and diffuse charity.

Reiterated until wearisome we hear the question asked, "What is wrong
with the Church?" sometimes from outside with a tone almost of contempt,
with little, or no care, for remedy if anything be wrong; sometimes from
within with a note of anxiety, uncertain whether it is safe to confess
openly the fact that anything can so be wrong. To the question coming
from within the Church, a voice might answer from the outer galilee, "Is
not what is wrong with the Church--like what is wrong with most of
us--thinking, perhaps talking, too much of itself, considering what
figure it makes in the world, rather than in self-forgetful devotion
giving itself to the work set before it, to delivering some message in
which it intensely believes as necessary for mankind?" It has been
likened to a bride; is not the bride too self-conscious, thinking