Admitting The Force Of These Contentions, Nevertheless,

Ethical Religion Affirms The Continuity Of Progress Toward Moral Perfection. It Affirms That The Spiritual Development Of The Human Race Cannot Be Prematurely Cut Off, Either Gradually Or Suddenly; That Every Stone Of Offence Against Which We Stumble Is A Stepping-stone To Some Greater Good; That, At The End Of Days, If We Choose To Put It So, Or, Rather, In Some Sphere Beyond The World Of Space And Time, All The Rays Of Progress Will Be Summed And Centred In A Transcendent Focus.

People May Be Said To Resemble Not The Bricks Of Which A House Is Built, But The Pieces Of A Picture Puzzle, Each Differing In Shape, But Matching The Rest, And Thus Bringing Out The Picture.

People May Be Said To Resemble The Pieces Of A Puzzle, Each Unique, Yet Each Essential To Bring Out A Complete Picture.

Where The Roots Of Private Virtue Are Diseased, The Fruit Of Public Probity Cannot But Be Corrupt.

The Freedom Of Thought Is A Sacred Right Of Every Individual Man, And Diversity Will Continue To Increase With The Progress, Refinement, And Differentiation Of The Human Intellect.