NOTEBOOK

while one's babies are in the process of growing up: they

are joy-Sags that make gay the road and prove progress;

and one looks down the fluttering rank with pride. Then

presently one notices that the flagstaffs are in process of a

mysterious change of some sort—change of shape. Yes,

hey are turning into milestones. They are marking some-

h:ne lost now, not gained. From that time on it were

oest to suppress taking notice of anniversaries.

If I were going to construct a God I would furnish Him
with some ways and qualities and characteristics which
the Present (Bible) One lacks.

He would not stoop to ask for any man's compliments,
praises, flatteries; and He would be far above exacting
them. I would have Him as self-respecting as the better
sort of man in these regards.

He would not be a merchant, a trader. He would not
buy these things. He would not sell, or offer to sell, tem-
porary benefits or the joys of eternity for the product
called worship. I would have Him as dignified as the bet-
ter sort of men in this regard.

He would value no love but the love born of kindnesses
conferred; not that born of benevolences contracted for.
Repentance in a man's heart for a wrong done would
cancel and annul that sin, and no verbal prayers for for-
giveness be required or desired or expected of that man.

In His Bible there would be no Unforgivable Sin. He
would recognize in Himself the Author and Inventor of
Sin and Author and Inventor of the Vehicle and Appli-
ances for its commission; and would place tEe whole re-
sponsibility where it would of right belong: upon Him-
self, the only Sinner.

He would not be a jealous God—a trait so small that
even men despise it in each other.

He would not boast.

He would keep private His admirations of Himself; He
301