Chapter VI: The Religious Mission of Sorrow

I. The consideration of Loyalty leads over to a new problem.
"Tribulation" as a hindrance to religious insight.
Reasons why this is the case, introduced by a statement
regarding our experience of evil. The principle that "Evil
ought to be altogether put out of existence" stated, and
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the reasons therefore indicated. Man as in intent a
"destroyer of evil." Our natural interest in destructive
prowess 215

II. Resulting situation in which religion seems to be placed.
Religion appears (1) To presuppose as well as to experience
a vast range of evils in the real world; (2) To depend
upon the assurance that the ruling principle of the
real world is good; and (3) To agree with morality in
making use of the principle that "Evil ought to be
altogether put out of existence." Resulting apparent
dilemma: Religion seems either superfluous or else doomed
to failure 219

III. Illustrations of the dilemma as it appears in practical
life, and as a barrier in the way of the religious life.
Need of an abstract statement of the dilemma as a means
of discounting our emotional confusions 227

IV. Reconsideration of the principle that has led to the
dilemma. Not all evils equally worthy of abolition.
Idealised ills. Definition of Sorrow. The process and
the results of idealisation. Creative synthesis vs. mere
destruction. The winning over and conquest of ill.
Strength of spirit involved in such creative synthesis,
which, in its turn, is never passive, but always morally
active. Suggestions toward a solution of the dilemma.
Sorrow as a source of religious insight 232

V. A recent literary instance of such insight 241

VI. Summary and suggestion of possible results of such
insight 250

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