The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1872-05-30
THEOLOGY-BTOLOGY.

| There is time when journalist may
speak with propriety, and that is when
he has something to say that will interest
the people. CHE SHOULD never speak at
any other time.) Upon subject which
engages the special attention of a cora
munity he should not be reticent. This
much by way of approach to our present
theme
A noticeable feature in the recent his
tory of this city, and one which must have
been commented upon by the thoughtful
portion Of the people, is the work of re-
vival in our Protestant churches. Not
revival in restricted sense,-as referring
to emotional interest, brought about by
supernatural infuences,-but In the gss--
eral uplifting Of the heart and mind to
right living, and higher conception Of
the Divine
We believe IN prayer, in revivals, and
In the Holy Ghost; we recognize, in the
work accomplished, the power of God !;
but withal, are led to propose the ques
tion,-Whaf is the secret of this reforma
ton? .n,
Let us look at the heading chosen for
this article. Theology is the supreme
science, arrived at by regularly ascend
ing the scale of sciences each one being
a step leading us to the correct under.
standing of ourselves, and finally, when
we reach theology,-to a comprehensive
discsrnment of Christ, the head of all
science. This systematic elevation of the
lite, having in view, as the final attain
ment,unison of thought and affection with
God, is eminently safe. There must be a
basis. A foundation must be laid before
a reliable superstructure can be erected
We cannot doubt the good intentions of
many men to adopt better life we be-
lieve that at times an influence has been
upon them Which was not of earth =
but ali the work is not done by the mas
ter,-and because the groundwork was
weak, they totered ana fell from the de-
sirable eminence where premature ad-
minstration of Theology had placed them.
Those men are doing the most sndLr-
ing work who teach the people how to
live, and do 1t without riding year in and
year out upon a theological horse
Christ said to the people, "Chil-.
dren have ye any eat?" This He
is still asking,--My children have you
anything to eat 4? The question is HON ely
but pertinent. The Saviour would have
a man par'ake of proper food; bat while
He is anxious to give what is needed TO
develop the man, His ministers many Of
them, prescribe that which acts in contra
riety to it.
There is an abundance of Theology for
the average mind in the little word Obey.
Better than symbolism, better than the
ology, under lying all the childish no
tions of the church, trying to settle
what nobody understands, best
foundation is-ts obey. To do the will
OF God, to keep His commandments
this is the basis of true religion And
just here is whore men,-if they would
become strong men of God, -must begin
to serve Him, by obeying To our mind,
the minister can do nothing better than
to lead his people into hGbituoI obedience
To obey from habit, not from thought.
When the great day comes we shall obey
without thinking. Then we shall put
away childish things, and become habit
ually obedient to the Master.
The great work, then, for our ministers,
is to teach the people the secret of right
living. To talk much more upon she
science of Biology, and considerably less
upon that of Theology. And here it is,
we believe, that the question proposed
What is the secret of this reformation is
answered. We have had in the past two
years, ministers who saw the necessity of
treating humanity as Christ did, accord
ing to its fact. Some men have had such
an attachment for the higher things, have
set their affections SO entirely On things
above, as to forget the necessities of those
to whom they ministered. They have
made Liz hit of sublunary things by taking
up temporary abode in supposed di