The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-05-05
A PEOPLES CHURCH.

Omaha of late has been discussing the
question of establishing peoples
church" The project finds many who
favor It, and perhaps as many who vigor-
ously oppose it. 1t is a question that has
drawn out considerable discussion among
the ministers of the city, but one of the
most sensible and incisive contributions to
the discussion is an article to the World
herald by Mrs. &. A. BRoMER. Mrs.
BRoMER bases her arguments on the fol-
lowing propositions: First-All things
secular are governed by law, and in all
controversy the law dictates the settle
ment. Why not apply the same rule in
spiritual matters?
Second-Before a person can become a
member of any of the churches he general
ly has to say publicly that he renounces the
world with all its vain pomp and glory, de-
clare his allegiance to CHRIST and place
himself under His law
Then" argues the lady, "why not ap-
peal directly to that law tor the decision in
every case, as it is minute enough in It's
particulars to cover all?'' She then quotes
the law:
Brethren have not the faith of our Lord
JESUS CHRIST the Lord of Glory with respect
TO personsi for if there come into your assembly
man with gold ring, in goodly apparel, and
there come in also poor man in vile raiment,
and We have respect to him that weareth the gay
clothing and say unto him sit thou here in a good
place, and say to the poor stand thou there, or
sit here under my footstool; are ye not then par
tial in yourselves and become judges of evil
thoughts: If ye fulfill the royal law according
TO the scriptures, thou shalt love thy neighbor
as myself; ye do well. but if We have respect 10
persons ye commit sin and are convinced of the
law as transgressors." GOD completely ignores
our ideas of distinction in wealth, intellect and
culture, tears down these barriers between
men, that human nature builds and who can
accept it? These are hard sayings, but it
is CHRIsT's law given by precept and ex-
atnple-the Christians pathway in this life
runs not along the royal highway. IF any
man will be my disciple let him take UP his
cross and follow me-" The naughty and cul-
tured PAUL, as he keenly felt the pain of
humbled pride, said: IF we suffer with
CHRIST we will also reign with Him. If we pro-
fess TO follow CHRIST we must obey His law, as
cur profession will not avail us anything on
that great day." II remains for the rich and
cultured to humble himself before GOD to
check the the tendency to self love, self exalta
tion and pride for the poor to cleanse their
hearts from hatred envy and jealousy and
before GOD, In his house, to meet on an equal
footing. Let the brother of low degree rejoice
in that he is exalted, but the rich in that he is
made low, because, as the flower of the grass.
he shall pass away, for the sun is no sooner
risen with a burning heat but it withereth the
grass and the flower thereof faueth and the
grace of the fashion of it perisheth; SO also
shall the rich man fade away this way
There can be no question as to the cor
rectness of the lady's statement Of the law.
or the deductions she draws from it. The
foundation principles Of the Christian
faith are the fatherhood of GoD, the
equality and fraternity of men. But while
1t is proper to insist upon these principles
being carried out it is easier to say let the
poor be exalted and the rich be brought
low, than to devise means for
it's accomplishment in practice and
pending the discovery of that
plan if the poor, the wretched and outcasts
who most stand in need of the consolation
of religion ind places in our large cities
where they can feel welcome and receive
religious instruction it will be in places
especially dedicated for their use and not in
the heightened, pew renting churches in
which men are won't TO display before con-
gregations cursed with pride, religion 6
every grace except the heart