Sermons, 1905-1919
Document Type
Sermon
Files
Date
undated, circa 1905-1919
Summary
Worship is based in understanding the truths about our world and using the constraints of these truths to figure out how to make a better life. Davis likens it to a garden:
"I have a plot of ground which I call a garden and I have a desire to develop a more beautiful garden than the one that I had last year. I study my garden; I study the laws of flower culture, and I select seeds that I want and then develop a plan for planting the seeds and plants that, during the season, are to constitute the changing panorama of a garden. I can’t change the laws of nature; I can arrange the flowers and plants according to color and size so that I may have a succession of flowerings harmoniously related and placed. I gather together what knowledge I have about plants and the laws according to which they grow; I have the fixed place of my garden plot and some memories of other gardens. With these as raw materials, I draw in my mind a picture of a garden that exists only in my mind and, even in my mind, is subject to change. I make the realization of that garden, that exists in my mind, the basis of a season’s activities; it becomes a purpose, and to the realization of that purpose, my activities are bent. In the realization of this purpose there are certain factors which I cannot change and there are others which I can change and do change. If I take the attitude which I have towards my garden and transfer it to the world at large, I shall have an illustration of what worship, in its truest and best sense, is."
Davis says that prayer is all well and good, but primitive; we are all "inclined to become victims of the notion that we can bribe life and the universe and God." On worship, Davis says that "it is not a question of choice. Worship is a necessity of life."
The primary downloadable document contains the original document followed by the transcription. The bottom of each item page also features the primary document as an embedded pdf for browsing.
Transcription by Davis Baird. Item description based off writing and context provided by Davis Baird.
Keywords
Earl Clement Davis, sermons, minister, Unitarianism, religion, philosophy, worship
Recommended Citation
Davis, Earl Clement, "What is the Nature of Worship and Will it Have a Place in the Coming Age?" (2022). Sermons, 1905-1919. 38.
https://commons.clarku.edu/pittsfield_sermons/38
Rights Statement
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
