St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-07-14
not relaxing. There are no signs that Christ
is losing his leadership of the world. Church

not relaxing. There are no signs that Christ
is losing his leadership of the world. Church
building is proceeding at a rate never before
equaled, which is q token that the people
are not losing their faith in or withholding
their support from the churches. In the
past eighty years Christianity has doubled
the adherents gained in eighteen centuries
and to-day there are four hundred and forty
eight millions of Christian believers. Budd-
hists number less than this, when the con-
fessionists are not included. In 1900 there
were only seven protestant missionary So
cieties. Now there are seventy with an in
come of over six millions of dollars against
$3.50, 900 in 1900.
1t is not true that Christianity and science
are hopelessly opposed. The great scientists
OF the country, such as Dana Gray, Young,
Dawson, ETC., are humble Christian believ-
ers, and the weight of great names on the 9TH
er side of the water, is in favor of Christian
ity. ThreeNhundred and twelve colleges are
at this present under Christian control and
fifty per cent of the students are Christian
against twenty-six per cent. in 1880. That
does not look as if the educated young men
were breaking with the gospel. The great
scholars who are shaping the thought of the
hausted energies. 1t is the friend of the
poor man, the richest blessings it has for the
most favored, it proffers him.
1t helps the weak, it sides with the Cypress
ed, it brings comfort to the sorrow ladened
self control to the tempted, it rebukes the
proud, and unjust, it pleads for brotherhood,
and philanthropy.
1t seeks to harmonic the differences be-
fha
which now set men in antagonism to one
another. After the foe of the Christian faith
has said his worst, let him declare what he
has to offer as a substitute for the Gospel
In every land; on the farthest islands of the
Pacific, behold the self denying apostles of
Christ, laboring to Christianize the neglected
and degraded, and by their heroic efforts
making heathendom to witness the trans
forming power of the Gospel.
The missionaries and philanthropists of
the day are not infdels or sceptcs, for these
siatter go on no crusades of mercy, and spend
neither themselves or their substance in lift
| ing to new levels of life the benighted and
despised of earth's children. The names
most hOnored now are those who caught
their inspiration from Christ and his gospel
and went forth under its power to work for
the redemption of the lost and the reclama-
ton OF the fallen. Moody's name is rever-
enced by London's outcast population, in
whose behalf he has labored with such mar
velous success. Africa is the arena of mis-
sionary sacrifices and achievements which re-
veal the compassion and regenerating power
of the gospel. To its defamers and enemies
Christianity answers back as did the Master
of old to his fees, ''for which of these works
do We stone me.''
This is not an hour in which to lose heart,
or become ashamed of the gospel. 1t is the
positive and orthodox faith which has all
along been the mightiest. Infdelty is not
an Institution, 1t is restitution, and world
illness, in all its types, is simply heart-heath-
enism. 1t is the old fashioned gospel which
is the hope of the world. 1t presents to man
for his love and service, an almighty, all wise
and merciful God, not grim, leaden-faced
Moloch. He is the great loving father and
friend of all. 1t is Christ who has made the
thought of God so majestic, so benign, and
won man to affectionate trust and obedience.
The more men love and resemble Him, the
better and brighter will this world become.