a higher love. Besides, to love one's country is to love the public
welfare. A man's country is the neighbor because it is like a parent;
for there he was born; it has nourished and still nourishes him; it
has protected him from harm, and still protects him. From love for it
he ought to do good to his country according to its needs, some of
which are natural, and others spiritual. The country ought to be
loved, not as a man loves himself, but more than himself. This is a
law inscribed on the human heart. And from the law has issued the
proposition, which has the assent of every true man, that if ruin
threatens the country from an enemy or other source, it is illustrious
to die for it, and glorious for a soldier to shed his blood for it.
This is a common saying, because so much should one's country be
loved. Those who love their country, and from good will do good to it,
after death love the Lord's kingdom, for this is their country there;
and they who love the Lord's kingdom, love the Lord, for He is the All
in all of His Kingdom.

--_True Christian Religion, n._ 414


FAITH AND DOUBT

There are those who are in doubt before they deny, and there are those
who are in doubt before they affirm. Those in doubt before they deny,
are men who incline to a life of evil. When that life sways them, they
deny things spiritual and celestial to the extent that they think of
them. But those in doubt before they affirm, are men who incline to a
life of good. When they suffer themselves to be turned to this life by
the Lord, they then affirm things spiritual and celestial to the
extent that they think of them.