The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-03-22

The keynote If the last popular book on
this subject Is. That ministers should qllt
preaching theology and devote themselves 10
the study and exposition Of mans duty ~ ms
fellow-man. For eighteen centuries the
Church has been prOclmng repentance to-
ward God and faith IN Jesu, Christ. Vow i
ought 10 begin 10 proclaim repentance toward
humanity and faith IN the amell0ratlOn ~ the
condition of the human races. We have talk
cd too long. say those theorists, about the re-
generation ot individual hearts. We ought 10
talk hencef0rth about the reorganization #
society I'm this new era the Gospel j, lot 10
Doe ignored altogether. but such teachings IN
II ~ Thou shalt love thy neishbor as thy
self, 80 and Bear We one an0ther's burdens,
are 10 be emphasized. The Christian
host has marched hitherto car
rying al the head vi It's adj
yancing and victorious columns those two
banners. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God
with ali thy heart and Believe in the Lord
Jesus Christ aud thou shalt be saved" BE-
hind these banners We're others. such IS Love
your enemies " DO good 10 all men" But
thcy We're regarded as indicating the results
Of the great campaign rather than Its para
mount object Now We are tod that TINS
order Is tO be changed that the humanitarian
standard Is tO lead the van. and the cross #
Christ tie symbol OF divine love and vicar
Gus sacrifice. is to be relesaicd to the rear.
The uAsls a THIS claim IS ln the fact that.
though repentance and faith have been
preached for eighteen centuries. there is sfl.l
a 81 eat deal Of injustice inequality and sui
feuug m theworld Society las not been re-
constructed according 10 the ideal Of the New
Testament From this fact. which we cannot
deny. the conclusion lsdrawn that the apostles
and their successors III the Church have neg
lected the interests Of humanity III this life IN
their anxiety & secure the happiness Of ipdI-
yiduals in the life 10 come; And the cry now
IS: Let Us turn from souls To bodies from
life and immortality 20 life and bread and
butter. There Is something speciOus IN all
this, and It can be SO presented In glowing
words and imagery rs 10 deceive. II possible.
the very elect" But that such Christian
socialism" Is "A deluslOn and a snare will be
apparent 10 any one who studies history and
the teachings Of our Lord. What was the
condition OF the world when Jesus OF Nazareth
was crucihed. Was there true freedom any
where: Was there social equality: Was
there any practical recognition ~ the rights
OF man! Was not woman, outside Judaism.
either toy or slave There were phil0so-
pliers and philanthropists then as now. There
were theories for the elevation OF humanity
as pretentiOus or plausible as those of to-day
But these all flashed like meteors across the
sky or played like jack o. lanterns over the
tear and blOOd-sosked mOrasses OF humanity.
Christ began 10 reconstruct society by regen-
Grating the hearts Of men. He believed that
the only way 70 secure better conditions was
% have better people. He knew that il the
units were right, tue masses would be right
The great objection 10 making social recon-
struction the keynote Of Gospel preaching,
instead OF repentance and faith, is that il ig-
nores what Christ declares TO be the hrst and
great commandments, Thou shalt love