The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-01-28
"THE CHURCH AND THE WORLD"

To EDIrox THE HxRALD:--
Tho following paper, substantially was presented to
Mr. Moody's Christian Convention, which met In the
Hppodromc, In this city last year, but for some
son that know not, it neither read published
give now the HERALD IN the belief that it will DO
found Of interest to not few OF your rcaders:--
"These few words-thc Church and tho World-are
as d;squicting ~ churcDman as Is the bugle note
to q soldier, for they AZ once conjure up In
his mind two trreconcilable and unfortunately. in
scparabe enemies Now, whether this enm.ty Is
justihabe or not on tho part Of the Church am
abie to say; but that 1t is not prosecuted with the
vigor that Church writings demand VIII DO readily
seen by u casual glance a. her writings and then ut
their interpretations as seen through her acts. To
suDstantiate the first Eeed not 80 beyond the title
OF the Church, received IN its hrst inception and
taincd as It's cardinal beauty at the present
that this title Is thoroughly upheld by the
Church venture 10 say no theologian will
10 aaeny 0r tho entire eo wr aa Of the
through and imagcd on paper tho
picture presented would be that OF q warrior with
tho world for an antagonist, which, u secta
rianism we're not too strong, would be framed
with Faith, Hope aud charity. In my opinion tho ap
parent anomaly that y believer exist uncon nected
with any sect !s demonstraabiy proven by the Hip
podrome meetings, and in TACT the contrary IS only
disccrnibls through b,coted observation: but viii
admit that their isolation from some sect Is
demnable tits, nevertheless justified by the Church
through example, for tue Church certainly not II
should bea solid rock, but mosaic tablet
crete only IN It's universal adherence TO the Bible and,
handicapped and ettered by sectariansm
the devil Is not 50 black he Is painted; for, setting
aside few isolated cases, II would require considera.
Bile courage on our part TO venture 10 cast
the hrst stone at this enemy the word)
wnick made the scapcgoat tor shortcom
and continually hagellatng with words booa-
erangs which frequently return upon ourselves For
the wordand we love to term II, our enemy--ccr-
tanly embraces all manner OF uncleanness deceit
tred lust But that they are exclusively or even mainly
the possessions OF the non.churchmen Is crr0neouu
Now, these facts that lew VIII deny but those who
docgedy persist IN not seeing, and who would
rather remain their forced ignorance than know
the unpleasant truth-ihat those without the fold
ceivo but the from tho tables OF those within,
ana u place Of being minlstered unto they
compelled to minister Therefore, unless
consider these poor outcasts who
cngrossed with their occupation OF bread WIN
nng, Disguised with the pomp IN
which they have good reason for knowing they
too lowly TO participate hey hide from its glitter
Tor lear the contrast Will increase their plainncss)
consider the Church aud the world as duality Tor
setting these astda find the difference slight be-
tween the Church and the world that almost
afraid TO draw the line. For what does the Church
lack have that the world lacks possesses unless
u DO simpcityY Wealth and power are the greatest
things the world boast OF, and these unblush-
ingly displayed by The Church Through sectarIani
and architecture the worldly secluded In palaces
the churchmen hidden cathedraIs. Tho world Is
divided into clans The Church into sects. Now, II
these remarks contain grain Of truth the Church
certainly In an improper position, Tor II the world be
harmless warfare against II IS unustinable, and II
II be uptng possession OF It's gifts Is siniu
an evil thing containoth only evil. S. J. HENRY.