The New York herald., 1879-02-27
"IS CHRISTIANITY A FAILURE

New YORK. Feb. 20. 1872
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-
In your Sunday issue February 16 several corre-
spondents were discussing this question.
Before complaining that Christianity has failed
should We not examine fairly what Christianity
meant to accomplish as far the only authority We
have the subject tthe Bible) tells US?
All through the New Testament have Christ's
words that He not to rule this world, but
to ito make it perceive that it is . fallen
world in need of redemption.
In st. john he says Tho Prince of this world
cometh and hath nothing in me-" Father. glorify
thy Son. as thou hast given him power all flesh
that he should give eternal life ss many as thou
hast given him" II have manifested thy name unto
the men which thou gavest out Of the world"
II pray fofthem. pray not for the world but for
them which thou hast given me-
Ho never urged His followers to seek in
hnence IN worldly affairs, to look after politics or
fame. or intellectual influence. He said
"seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his righteous
and all these things or daily living shall be
added unto you."
There is no word that the mission of the Church
was to reform the world. He came to redeem sim
ners out of a condemned world.
The pible tells that this world is for length OF
time in Satans power; that it will grow worse and
worse until the time of Christ's coming again,
when He will conquer Satan and become the real
Ruler.
Until then He only wants his followers to remain
patient in suffering. seadfas in faith and to keep
unspotted from the world. We told to
rule 1t or guide 1t. ST. Paul says I'VE are troubled
on every slde yet not distressed; perplexed,
but not without help III. Corinthians) and Put on
the whole armor of God that ye may be able stand
against the wiles Of the DEVIL, and 1--WE wrestle not
against flesh and blood but against principalities
against powers against the rulers OF the darkness Of
this world. against spiritual wickedness III high
places and .ise~are lest any man spoil you through
Xt
I'm every direction" says Of your correspond
ents, I'VE md yearning after something new in
Alas! what he wants is simply the true faith, the
love of Christ. Then his own soul will be renewed.
about any religion.
Because he has the yearning let this anxious soul
pray earnestly, giving up all intellectual speculations
for while. allowing the STILL small voice OF spirit
ual life to enter his mind and he will find the
light which is new to every one of in Q certain
moment although old as eternity in itself.
He complains over the "extraordinary disturbance
that prevails in the religious elements"-well! and
in all other elements? In social political, CONNER
cial elements well? Was there ever SO much
troubles and stagnation and breaking down and dis
asters? Is that the Christians fault? the
believers possibly help that among them, i'll all con-
gregatons and denominations hypocrtes, and shal-
low, formal shams of people 'internlingle, calling
themselves Christians and drawing blame and shame
over the few faithful onces? In the parallels the
Lord all this and told us how the good seed
must grow with the tares until the harvest time
should come &c.~
Your correspondent speaks of "the pain and
anxiety of those who believe that in pure and un-
dohled Christianity lies the permanency of govern
nents and the happiness and prosperity of peoples.
Let him wait tor the harvest time aud not expect
the fruit before the time.
Who runs this world, after all?
The Bible tells us that this dispensation shall
come to end, with all those signs of distress Of
nations, fannes, plaques, wars. as all
conflict is raging between good and evil far be-
yond our little interferences We are told that be.
fore the dayof Christ shall be at hand much trbu-
lation and disorders will appear For that day shall
not come except there falling away FIRST and
that man OF sin antiChrist) be revealed the Of
perdition. who opposeth and exalteth himself above
all that is called God. that worshpped so that
he as God stteth in the temple of God showing him.
self that he is God" Ill. Thess. i'll Remember 20
not that when was yet with you told you these
And instead of watching and noticing the fulfil
all those warnings instead of cheering each
other in faith and hope remembering His words,
shall we put forth our criticisms, saying why does
God do this, allow that neglect this?'
Can dare to accuse Him and His Gospel Of fall
urc! II everything seems to go wrong shall we not
knows what We know not and 30 learn to stoop down
to daily task and wait and say Hs will be DONE
The fruit OF the Lords personal ministry when
The population OF the world reckoned now
about one billion four hundred millions. OF those
only three hundred and thirty-fve millions are
Christians, oven in name.
This docs not prove that Christianity has failed Il
proves that Christianity never meant to conquer
and rule during this d.spensation. hut to stand
witness until the Prince OF this world should have
done with His experiment to rule it without God.
that Satan has power yet and that he works even in
the world religions.
Does not the Bible speak of apostate church
and how God remembers her iniquities and will ut
terly destroy her? Qiev. xviii. Forms of churches
will crumb BILE, crumbling.
The faithful secretly marked (Rev viii, 81 and
will be gathered to the true Church OF God. Rcmem
Der how 1.-TWO women working in the field one
will be tsken the other left;" how only half of the
virgins going out to meet the bridegroom ready
and acceptable; and when the foolish other half Of
them will knock and call, Lord. Lord open for us
how he shall answer them, II knew you
Many are called but few will be chosen
No. no. let not your hearts be troubled hut believe
in God and let him manage it all
As st. John ys:-"Little children let not love
In word. neither in tongue. but in deed and truth