The daily gazette., 1878-04-09
Is Christianity Declining?

From the ". Y. Herald.
Not only the average but the highest
scholarship England and America is
agreed on the questions which Mr..
Froude thinks are still open. With us,
at least, the distinction between good
and bad Is not an open question. For
even our criminals, from the highest to
the lowest, recognize the distinction, and
our judges and lawmakers keep it in
mind while the common sentiment of
the community condemns the one and
applauds the other.
That religious opinion is moving on
toward mOmentous issues is grandly true
but not toward the issues that the histo-
rian would have Us infer-namely, ma
terialistic. the worlds thought is be-
becoming clearer, its light purcr and its
understanding of the character and work
Of God more perfect. The literature of
the day shows this. The questions that
occupy the greatest attention of mankind
in tins age are those that relate TO moral
and spiritual things. The books thar are
published and sell best are of this char
acter. Art takes a similar direction, and
the pictures and engravings that are
most in demand are those that express
some religious idea or sentiment. Ii we
90 into the homes OF the masses of this or
any other community in the land we
Rousseau or Voliaire in the libraries or
on the shelves Of the people. We will
not find the licentious productions OF
French artists on their walls. The ethics
of American society have not vet fallen
10 the level of this class of literature or
art.
And yet underlying these propositions
of the English historian there is great
truth of current experience and observa-
ton. Religion or Christianity does not
occupy the Strongholds in human hearts
which it once did. The Bible is not held
in such high estimation as it once was.
The doctrines which it teaches are not
as firmly believed as they were in other
days, and the ministry of the Church
fails to command the reverence-may we
say, respect which it once had There
are reasons for this. The basis of church
work has changed considerably within
halt century. Ministers no longer 90
out after the multitudeS rs Christ and
His deciples did. They are content in
their pleasant gatherings TO discuss the
questions, How to reach the masses, but
they are very willing to leave the reach
ing of them to other agencies. Church
officials no longer makes the salvation of
the people among whom they build
houses of worship the goal of their en-
deavors. Religion is too dainty and
high priced to-day for the MASSES to have
or enjoy it. 1t was once the glory of
the Church that the poor had the gospel
preached to them, but now it is the rich
who are thus cared for, and if our
churches develop the club idea during
the next twenty-five years in the ratio
that they have in the past quarter of a
"A century the poor will be obliged to 20
TO the mountain sides or the seaShores,
where Jesus and Paul found them in
their day, to receive tho comforts and
consultations OF religion. No wonder,
then that while the Church is shut IN,
as 1t were, in its club house, intidelty
and scepticism make such headway
among those who are on the outside.
Sumpt lary laws cannot take the place OF
hard, faithful work for Christ and until
churches and ministers understand and
realize this, and act ON it more fully and
freely than they have done, religious
opinion, if not religion itself, will hold
a critical position as one OF the great
forces of civilization in the world.