New Church Life July/Aug 2014 | Page 9

 approach them in order to be enlightened by them. The more we take the truths revealed in the Writings to heart, the more they will speak to us from within. Their Author will then not be commanding us from without, as a stern master, but from within, as a friend, through the voice of reason and conscience. Our affirmation of “the authority of the Writings” then will not be hesitant or begrudging, but as gladly given as the willingness of sheep to follow the voice of their shepherd as he leads them to new green pastures. “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27) (WEO) trust and optimism Edmund Burke, an 18th century member of the British Parliament who favored the cause of freedom in America and France, wisely observed at the end of the French Revolution: “The effect of liberty is that men may do whatever they please. We should wait to see what it pleases them to do before we risk congratulations.” Looking at the free world today we see great progress in science, technology, medicine, business, but not so much with the human spirit. We have natural freedom and we have spiritual freedom – great opportunities and responsibilities – but have we earned anyone’s congratulations? It is easy to be discouraged – about a world morally adrift without a spiritual compass, X