Blue-grass blade., 1891-01-03

the Lords Supper was admins
tered in the presence of Grove
of fallen men, struggling for Q
new life. These poor fellows
could not have borne so much al
the odor of the sacred wine; il
would have set their bodies and
souls on fire. Pure water filled
the nickel. plated tahkard of the
communion service. The bread
and the water of life were blessed
before the wistful gaze of these
reverent castaways. The clergy,
man officiating, an old man who
had dedicated his age to the tenn
persnce work, and Z dozen poor,
plain, obscure, unfocked church
members in the Communicates
seats, were the only representa-.
tives of the church of Christ
present at q scene which was a
matter of intense public interest
in the city, and of severe ecclesi-
astical blame to the temperate e
people.
1t is amazing that we should
even have to remind ourselves
that with this dead line of religi-
Gus responsibility, the Founder of
our faith had no more to do than
he had with the moral example
of Hsrod. Christ was the come
outer of His day; He was the
Protestant; He was'the Liberal;
He was the victim Of spiritual
independence; He was the faith
that rises
"Just to scorn the consequence,
And just to do the thing"
His teaching was one thrslling
protest against e4lesiasticism.
Ms life was one paaetic plea tor
religious freedom. Pe thy GOD
and thy neighbor, and follow Me;
His command and our duty are
in these few simple words. He
cut down doctrinism and dogma
tism as a mower cuts down this
ties. In His insistence OH prac-
tical holiness there was no room
for chatter about creeds. He
gave Himself to God and to mis-.
cradle men. This fervent young
rabbi had no time to formulate
q "Shorter Catechism."
Fancy, for the nonce, our Lord
chairman of thNsexam-
lining committee Of a heresy-
hunting church to-day, One inn
AGNES the eloquent silence with
which He would sit out the ac-
cepted tests Of fitness for men,
bership in His visible church.
What does the candidate believe
concerning the total depravity of
all mankind? Is he aware that
he committed the sin of Adam! !
What are his views upon the eter-
nal damnation of the finally i'm.
Has he faith in the
sanctity of immersion Does he
accept the sacrament Of infant
sprinkling? Test his knowledge
Of the Trinity. Try his theory
of the nature and office of the
Holy Ghost. Is he sound upon
the doctrine of election? Does
he totter upon justification by
faith?
Now, conceive it to be the turn
of the mute presiding officer to
put questions to the candidate.
One may imagine that the test
questions for religious character
would take a surprising turn -
Have you a pure heart! Do you
love the Lord your God with the
whole Of it? Explain to us your
relation with your neighbors.
Are you beloved in your home?
Can you control your temper
Do you talk scandal? Are you
with the condition of the
poor? What are your methods of
relieving it? Can you happily
give disagreeable service to the
sick? How do you bear physical
when it falls to your
own lot? How many drunkards
have you tried to reform! What
outcasts have you sought to save!
What mourners have you COM
forted? On what social theory
do you invite guests to your
house? What proportion OF your
income do you give to the needs
Of others? What do you un-
derstand by prayer to God !!
What is your idea of Christ.
like life!
The Christianity OF Christ ne
cessitates a personal conservation
famed to a white heat that burns
to ashes all the ordinary standards
of conduct involves u religious
liberation "all love, and love all