The Portland daily press., 1884-12-22
PULPHT AND PLATFORM.
wILLIsToN CHURCH.

WAALAnAON SnOhSds
Shall we modify Christianity" was the sub
ject of the sermon by Rev. Stephen R. Den
men, d. D., of New Haven yesterday morning.
He took as his text Thess., v, 21-"Prove all
things. Hold fast that which is good"
Religion is supreme common sense. 1t pre-
ceeds on the same principles with successful
mechanical and commercial business 1t asks
no favors, shuns no tests Although there is
much above our comprehension in the plan of
salvation, yet the pracrical results are readily
seen. The perfect fairness of Paul's advice ia
apparent to all thoughtful persons. The suc-
cess of measure depends on its adoption and
use. This is sound logic aud good sense.
There are two members to the text. First
prove thing; If worthless cast it aside if good
hold on TO 1t. The generous fair minded per-
son is always open to conviction and we comes
all that Is new and useful. The narrow
minded bigot prejudges everything. He re-
Jects what Ia new simply because it is new
The old they say is better whether it be wine
or theology. This view closes t1e doors against
all progress. Christianity has suffered from
bigotry as well as many other things. The
Protestant church has been doubtless too
much afraid os new things and measures
prove all things" A demand for this exists
in business, society, in the present condition OF
things, In the nature and wants of man. This
Is the first process of the mend in regard to
any new thing or theory whether 1t be to re-
gniate the tariff or increase production, or
settle the question of the SOULS destiny.
You should prove things experimentally.
Give every new theory a hearty welcome, a
full discussion and then fair trial, Progress
lies in this direction. If new Theory will
stand the final test by which all things must
be tried, actual service, then adopt it and hold
on to it, We use the physicians prescription
1t cures US, and we keep that prescription and
use 1t in the same ailment again, God has al
ranged plan OF salvation for us, whereby it is
possible for God TO Justify the peniteDt, believ-
ing sinner. This is the divine prescriptjon for
spiritual healing, but we must use the phy-
sician's prescription, the one that he has writ
ten cut and put his name to, and placed in our
hands.
Uniess we comply with Gods plan of saliva
tion within the time set, we lose eternal life,
The critics of Christianity attempt to discredt
the plan of salvation. They deny the exist
enee OF moral disease, criticise the physician,
his method of cure, and lastly deny any bad
results II men are not saved. No man can be
cured BY carrying physicians prescription in
his pocket, nor can a man be saved by carrying
New Testament in his pocket or his memory,
He must prove 1t by actual trial. And no one
is competent TO pronounce an opinion on Chris
lanlty until he has done those things required
OF him, and proved them by actual test.
But in these days of progress we are told
that we have outgrown the old traditions.
There are two classes that stand aloof from
Christianity-the educated, and the middle
class OF mechanics and shopmen The opinion
OF the former constitute the reading OF the
latter. These people are non-church goers.
They hear only one side. They prove nothing
for themselves. Now, how are these classes to
be reached? Modify Christianitv, it is said, to
meet the educated men. Bring your religious
teaching up abreast of modern thought. This
talk ought TO alarm no one, for it has been the
staple criticism Of all sges. But it is being
said by leaders in the church and by the re-
ligious press. Now, what is meant by modif-
cation? By men outside the church il means
the surrender of the Christian faith, SO that
men may do as they please and yet be saved.
There are certain immutable things, such as
righteousness, Justice, truth, sin, redemption,
penalty. The method and spirit of stating
these must be modified from age to age as
dress and manners are modified. No man or
set OF men are authorized to alter Gods esti-
mate OF sin or purpose to punish it. What
does need profound modification is Christian
lie and conduct; not to modify Christ's doc
trines, but to live up to them. No, We are not
to return to former age or method, but de-
liver the message God gives us in tender,
truthful earnestness, with souls full of love
and all on fire with the message we bring.
NOTES.
Rev. Mr.. Lamson preached an excellent ser.
anWa nj H-a.. 4t.. L.