صفحة 462 من 1391

Art cannot claim to be on a level with philosophy or religion,

and may often corrupt them. It is possible to conceive a mental

state in which all artistic representations are regarded as a

false and imperfect expression, either of the religious ideal or

of the philosophical ideal. The fairest forms may be revolting in

certain moods of mind, as is proved by the fact that the

Mahometans, and many sects of Christians, have renounced the use

of pictures and images. The beginning of a great religion,

whether Christian or Gentile, has not been 'wood or stone,' but a

spirit moving in the hearts of men. The disciples have met in a

large upper room or in 'holes and caves of the earth'; in the

second or third generation, they have had mosques, temples,

churches, monasteries. And the revival or reform of religions,

like the first revelation of them, has come from within and has

generally disregarded external ceremonies and accompaniments.