Rufus M. Jones

The Inner Life Rufus M. Jones

Rufus Jones (1863-1948) said in his introduciton, "There is no inner life that is not also an outer life. To withdraw from the stress and strain of practical action and from the complication of problems into the quiet cell of the inner life in order to build its domain undisturbed is the sure way to lose the inner life. The finest of all the mystical writers of the fourteenth century the author of Theologia Germanica knew this as fully as we of this psychologically trained generation know it. He intensely desired a rich inner life, but he saw that to be beautiful within he must live a radiant and effective life in the world of men and events." He goes on to say, "Religion does not consist of inward thrills and private enjoyment of God it does not terminate in beatific vision. It is rather the joyous business of carrying the Life of God into the lives of men of being to the eternal God what a man's hand is to a man. There is no one exclusive way either to the supreme realities or to the loftiest experiences of life."