Telegram-herald. ([Grand Rapids, Mich.) 18??-1892, 1891-05-02
IS CHRISTIANITY ADVANCING!
Brief Review Of This Subject with Rev
DIR. Macarthur. OF the Baptist Church.


Brief Review Of This Subject with Rev.
DR.. Macarthur. OF the Baptist Church.
Especial Correspondence
NEW YORK. April S-Every thought
full observer of the signs of the times
must he aware that there is abroad in
the land q spirit of critical philosophy
with reference to religious questions and
the general attitude Of Christianity. In
the progress of civilization there appears
to have been developed a larger keenness
of research, a greater disposition to in
quire and analyse, and q tendency to ex-
ercise individual Judgment in matters
that heretofore have beep determined by
authority Of the church or are ruled by
creeds. To some the world appears to be
growing better all the time. To others,
il is plainly retrogradiny, and discus
sions in both the secular and religious
press plainly show wide differences of
opinion.
Rev. Dr.. Robert Macarthur, Of the
Baptist church, in answer to the general
question, lis Christianity Advancing
replied as follows:
without doubt Christianity is I'D
vancing along many lines. To careful
observer this must appear very evident.
Christianity has in itself the element Of
progress The moral, religious and edu-
cational forces which are at work
strongly point to the fact that Chris
tianity is constantly gaining ground.
As one result, humanity is lifted to a
higher plane and moral ideas have wider
sway.
Science, with its multifoym discov-
cries and revelations, is not obstructing
the spread OF Christianity, but Ia vari.
Gus ways and TO a remarkable degree is
contributing to its forward movement.
The light it bears to Bible truth only
helps us to o clearer insight into its
deeper meanings In no way does it
contradict the teachinge of revelation.
''On the other hand, religion is a pro-
moter Of scientific truth and friend OF
art. 1t has been an inspiring factor in
the progress Of the race toward higher
life.
1.-THE fact that the secular press is
friendly TO the church and her work is a
most hopeful sign. Missions at home
and in foreign .ields were never more
successfully carried on than now. As
the demand for enlarged work comes
from the heather world, the gifts for
our missionary treasures are correspond
ingly increased.
81 take IN optimistic view as study
the religious world. While there are
great evils to be deplored, there never
was so much good done as at present.
Right ia to prevail. Christianity is NOV
ing toward supremacy. The Bible is
studied BY more persons and with a
moro studious and devout spirit than in
the past The revision Of creeds is proof
of this assertion. Mere credal state
ments are not enough. Any manifest
disposition TO ignore confessions does
not necessarily imply undue hberality Of
thought. but it shows that the Scriptures
are more critically examined"
DO you think the spirit Of inddclity
Is increasing
"a pure Christian literature IL doing
much to give fresh impetus to the diffu-
sion Of Christian truth, and de- not feel
any overweight solicitude about inf.
deity. Truth ia mightier than error.
Inidel spcculations are negative forces.
Our age has no relish for the flipmnt
sayings Of CELSIUS or Voltaire. Men
and women are reaching out for truth
gospel truth-snd they are not to be
satisfied with the veneer work of the
sopaist. But we are not confined TO
mere assertion. There are facts ard
figures that are too eloquent with proof
OF the progressive character Of Cars
tianity.
Ponder thee. In 1850 the popula
ton OF this country was IN round num-
bers 25.ooo. 600. In 1890 the population
Of this country was in round numbers
s0.0oo, 900. In 1850 there were bat
s.or0. 600 Of men and women members
Of the Evangelical churches. In ISe0
there were more than Q o-,o. 600: that /.
% say. while during thirty wears the
population Of our country has doubled.
and IL ia the most rapidly populssina
country in the world. the membership
~ our Evangelical churches has more
than trebsed in the same PERIOD
More recent aSurss are stsIl more ~
cosraxing. The growth Of church mem
b-rship ssnce 1880 Is more rsY.d tbAn The
growth n the population. The popula-
ton sisce lsss h~ perhaps iacr-asrd .
little over ~ Per cert, bat the church
membership since thai ssse hss incre~e.-i
nearly ~ Per ccnt B~aevoient contrl-
hussons haze hs-n eo-re~psndsagiy graz
The canrch was never ~ triumphant ss
now. Jesss Christ u hing Hss pkercei
palm - On tb> heins ~ ne unsv~-.s
The crirp~on and rod II brighter aav
sl-~sdy ccsc~ - >s~*~ra skv Infs~sstv
y m iSnouain'nsn failure Trush Il VIC.
sprsc.s
FAIR 9sxrcsT 90 FowrauR