The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-03-23
UNDER WHICH KING 2

Inc world mas assumed an attitude to-
wards the Church which may be called
aggressive. Science, as represented by a
large number of scientific men, is disposed
to thrust religion entirely aside. Its tone
is contemptuous-for contempt is perfect
ly consistent with incomplete knowledge
The young, the gay, the fashionable, are
emboldened, therefore, even when well
disposed towards religion, to require at
the hands of its teachers, moderation.
They are decidedly impatient if the pull
pit manifests the disposition to grasp the
reins firmly. They begin to talk about
the enlightenment of the age, and have
learned enough from the magazines of
the day, which now undertake to talk
theology, to incite them to call in ques-
ton the positions of the preacher. Nay
more, they will find on any point prom
inent divines lending their countenance
to their Liberal views, and the pastor is
confronted by some FESTIVE and unman-
ageable church member with the author
ity of Canon Farrar, or DIR. Swing, or
Mr.. Beecher, or Robertson Smith, or Rev.
Heber Newton. or Dean Stanley-and he
is audaciously challenged with the ques-
tion-What have you got to say to that 2
Under such circumstances it is pitiable
to see the pulpit or the religious press
driven into an attitude of timid hesita-
ton, and to see flag of truce sent out
for the purpose of negotiating compro-
mise between pulpit and pew There is
no middle ground in this business. The
very same gospel which was true eigh-
teen hundred years ago, or three hundred
years ago, is true to-day. The world has
no privileges to extort from the Church
which it was not entitled TO enjoy in the
days of the covenanters or the apostles
and early fathers All attempts to patch
up an understanding between the world
and the Church, and to find bounda-
ry line on which "the kingdoms of this
world, and the glory of them, can adum-
brate with the kingdom of Christ and the
temples Of the living God, will inevitably
end in failure. What concord hath Christ
with Belial? or what part hath he that
believeth with an unbeliever? And what
agreement hath the temple of God with
idols?
Did Jesus, when he was on earth, 90
about preaching any diluted gospel?
Did he shrink from declaring all the
truth? Did he seek to placate and to
pacify gainsaying world, and to coax
them into respectful demeanor towards
religion, by inclining his erect standard
before the popular gale, or softening the
conditions on which men were required
to renounce absolutely and with no sort
Of reservations the pomps and vanities,
the indulgences, the prizes, the allure
ments, of this wicked world? No gentler
spirit ever touched this earth; no heart
more sensitive to pity, more profoundly
charged with human sympathy, ever APP
peared among men. Witness his tender
lamentation over the city which cruciied
him; witness his agony in the garden
witness his association with his disciples
witness his behavior. with Martha and
Mary and at the grave Of Lazarus; wit
ness his dying exclamation Father, for
give them-they know not what they
dop And yet no uncertain sound pro-
ceeded from those lips when he spoke to