Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-11-04
VARIOUS TSNS.
REV. Won HERRLICH DIsC0URsRs AT
LENGTH UPON THEM.
rugersolhsm, Like the Bantam, Has the
Smallest Body, but the Biggest
Crow.

xviii, Z: "And they saw the people, how
thew dwelt careless ave are apt to
think" said the speaker, "of the forces
which war against Christianity as things
on the outside. Explanations of the lack
of progress On the part of the church in
taking the world for Christ are generally
made to present the harmful influence OF
error, unbelief or general in6delity. We
seem to have chronic horror of tie varied
forms of unbelief, and can hardly speak OF
them without fear and trembling. We as
cribe to this or that ism power almost
measureless in hindering Gods kingdom
Atheism-the worship of negation-an
illogical process of arraut nonsense. Ag-
Mysticism, the We know nothing philos-
ophv, which to faith and intelligence is
weak and silly, but which l should think
in some cases would be wonderfully true
and applicable. Transcendentalism, the
sublimation of shadow, or the theory that
there are no objective realities, but whose
followers are mighty careful to keep out OF
the way of a train of cars or to step over an
open we'll hole. Ingersollism, the bantam
of the brood, with the smallest body and
the biggest crow of all of them. And a
certain sort of thing which some call liber-
alism, but which after all means nothing
sure, nothing definite, but an aimless drift
ing over the ever troubled waves of theory
and speculation Faith cure and theoso-
phy-these are the names that often bring
a chill TO the glowing hesrt, or help to par
alyZe the Christians effort.
Some one of these is supposed by many
N ba ha form, iobf Al 49, y -,
his most successful Roadway against the re-
ligion Of Jesus, but nothing is further from
the truth. None of these have permanent
or Inherent power to hurt or injure US.
But there is an ism more dangerous far
than any of those l have enumerated, and
it is in and of the Church itself, and that is
carelessue ss-indifferentism. Yet thuse
who consider it their mission TO wage q
wordy warfare with the followers of Inger-
soil or the admirers of Robert Elsmere-
let them do so-that Is the mission of the
few, and the fewer the better But the
foe we wish to attack and speak of this
morning is of our own household and re-
veals itself in every Church and in every
heart, and it must be fought by us all if we
wish to succeed in the grand work of
Christs earthly and spiritual kingdom.
And this dangerous ism manifests itself in
gross indifference toward the divine and the
spiritual-tOward their God and their fell
lowmen-of many we see about US"
The speaker then gave a number Of illus
trations of that ignoble selfshness which
shuts itself up in an attractive home or
surrounds itself with personal pleasures,
and never gives thought to the welfare
and comfort of others; capitalists who
never give a thought to the investing of
their surplus means in manufactures or in
dustries which would give employment to
the many who would thus have an honor
able and manly way to make living.
The best way to help city or increase
its attractiveness and increase its popula-
tion," he continued, sis to put money into
those things which will give people work
and employment, even though it may not
pay the investor one hundred per cent on
the dollar. The kingdom of God is one
kingdom and the cause of Christ has one
object. l will say nothing about that which
is worse than indifference-open enmity,
invidious and unchristian remarks, slurs
and ISLANDERS about others that would be
unbecoming in a Hottentot, much less a
lady or gentleman picking flaws or search
ing after failing in those who, very likely,
are much better than we are for the very
fact is, if we do, it proves that they are So
going about with microscope to see if we
can't find something weak or imperfect in
some one else's life or character. Oh, from
all such sort of piety good Lord deliver US,
and make us kind and charitable! All
these open things are positive hindrsnces
to the growth of Christ's kingdom. Then
there is the depressing indifferentism to
church attendance. Those who do not
realize the effect of their influence and ex-
ample by their presence at the churches
services, or who come to church so seldom
that they forget where their pew is, or who
tell the minister, oh, yes. Well, Pll be
out next Sunday and then go away and
forget it five minutes afterwards.
Then there are many VINO do not con-
meet themselves with any Church or Chris
tan body, and the reason of it is (no mat
ter what they may tell YOU because they
are afraid it will cost them something-it
is not a religious but financial matter.
Then there is often a sad indifference to
strangers who may come among us. We
fail to give the kind word or pleasant smile
of recognition that might be of so much
help snd encouragement-the kindly, i
am glad to see you, and we hope to see you
often / am not speaking nov of that
peculiar stranger who takes pains to sit
near the door, and then starts on a run for
the sidewalk the moment service is over,
and then spends the remainder OF the
week in telling how cold and unfriendly
they are at the church on Eighth street
There are those who come among US with q
real yearning for recognition and friend
ship, and are good and worthy of il. 1t is
true, we may be taken in at times, but
those occasional results will not hurt US
very much. l have been deceived several
times myself in my kindness and interest
to strangers, but it did me no harm. save to
somewhat Tighten my pocket-book. Then
too, we are too indifferent to the younger
members of the parish in regard to then
spiritual welfare. Need we wonder that sc
many young men and women take the
wrong course in life, when we see the poor
example and influence their fathers and
mothers give them. Why should parents
expect their children to take to the good
and spiritual when they themselves are
goddess and Indifferent?
rs it not true that we often follow az
earnest effort TO get people into the church
by entirely neglecting them afterwards
The church of God was never intended fol
cold storage warehouse, nor Swifts re-
frigeratOr csr to bear us toward the celes-
tial city, but some of them come very
near that in their social relationships.
Then there is an indifference toward the
weak and sinful. Do we exert all our
power and influence to help and save them!
We need more of the spirit which led Pau
to plead with the erring, and Christ to
weep over Jerusalem. Many of US sadly
need a harmony between our theory and
practice. Then there are many who are
afraid to come into social contact with
those who are not of high caste or are OF
dubious standing. Such people must be
weak indeed or very uncertain about their
own social foothold. OH the indifference
in all directions. 1t is because of indif-
ference that we do not have a Sunday
law and high license for Sacramento.
tits because of carelessness and indifference
that Gods House is not filled with happy
and devout wOrshipers every Sunday. 1t
is because of indifference that our city is
not more attractive or is lacking in in
dustries to give employment to all who are
willing to work and labor. It is because oil
indifference that so many are lacking in
spiritual grace and development. May
God arouse US TO realization of oul
opportunities and privileges in all direc.
lions and of our irretreviable loss if we
slight or neglect them"