Rufus Jones's most recent book, "New Eyes
for Invisibles," contains a series of
meditations, miniature sermons, essays,
and addresses which might be described
as "variations upon a familiar theme."
The theme is that of positive mysticism,
where cultivation of the inner
life accompanies vigorous ethical action,
where Quaker silence issues in
eloquent preaching, and where the
pathway toward an ineffable goal is
marked by homely, everyday guideposts.
Moreover, the familiarity of the
theme does not detract from the freshness
of these new variations which
Dr. Jones offers. He has few foes; but
to the fettered imagination, the divisive
dogma, and the feeble expectation
he gives no quarter. In a time of darkness,
when men everywhere are without
a clear sense of direction or supiwrt,
no half-measures will do. And in
the author's opinion, anything which
stops short of constantly renewed communion
with the divine source of serenity,
freedom, and ethical power in
human life, is a half-measure. One of
his main contentions is that we often
fail to find satisfying answers to the
most urgent spiritual answers because
we Eire looking for additional information
instead of for the personal reorientation
which we need. We cannot
arrive at more adequate theories
concerning God and man except by
embodying gracious power ajid enhanced
human values in our own lives.