The Harvester

“It means two things, so simple any child can understand — the love of God and the evolution of life. I am not precisely clear as to what I mean when I say God. I don’t know whether it is spirit, matter, or force; it is that big thing that brings forth worlds, establishes their orbits, and gives us heat, light, food, and water. To me, that is God and His love. Just that we are given birth, sheltered, provisioned, and endowed for our work. Evolution is the natural consequence of this. It is the plan steadily unfolding. If I were you, I wouldn’t bother my head over these questions, they never have been scientifically explained to the beginning; I doubt if they ever will be, because they start with the origin of matter and that is too far beyond man for him to penetrate. Just enjoy to the depths of your soul—that’s worship. Be thankful for everything—that’s praising God as the birds praise him. And ‘do unto others’ — that’s all there is of love and religion combined in one fell swoop.” (Harvester 312)


Source:

Stratton-Porter, Gene. The Harvester. New York: Doubleday Page & Co., 1911.