The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1891-05-01
Ia Christianity Advancing 7

Byicr Rerei,c Of this Subject ~ith Rec. Dr.
MaeArthur, Of the Baptist Church.
New York, April l6'-Every thoughtful
observer of The sgnes Of the times must DC
aware that there is abroad in tho lapu
spirit of critical philosophy with referenceto TO
religious questions and the generat a'.l,uu'
Of Christianity. In the progross OF cishIa,
ton there appears to have been developed
n larger keenness of research, greater dis
positSn 70 inouixe ord anslyse, and nzten- l.
? dency totexsrcise iudiySansi. ,iadgsu
matters that heretofore have been deter
miued by authority of the church or are ruied
by the creeds. To some the world appears
to te growing better all the time. 10 othS's
it is plainly re,rograding. and discussions
in both the secular and religious press PLAIN
" show wide differences of opinion.
Rev. DIR. Robert Macarthur, OF the Bap-
tist church, in answer to the general question,
"Is Christianity Advancing" replied as
follows:
without doubt Christianity is advancing
along many lines. To a careful observer
this must appear very evident Christianity
has in itself the element of progress. The
moral, religious and educational forces which
are at work strongly point TO the fact that
Christianity is constantly gaining ground.
As one result humanity Is lifted to higher
plane and moral ideas have wider sway.
Science, with all its mutiform discoveries
and reVelatl0nS, Is not OpStruVtioS 'hS oPiS"e
of Christianity, but in various ways and to
remarkable degree is contributing to its for
ward movement. The light it bears to
Bible truth helps us TO clearer insight into
A---------:- i-~----~-~s-~ss--"'>>-
''On the other hand, rel gion is the pro-
mc:cr of scientific truth and friend of art
1t has been an inspiring factor in the pro
gr,ss of the race toward n higher life.
''Ihc fact that the secular press is friendly
to the church and her work is n most hope
fu sign. Missions at home aud in foreign
fields were never more successfully carried
on than E1w. AS tho der and for enlarged
-. work comes from the heather world tn,
gifts for our treasures are corresponding,
increased.
IL take an optimistic view as study tn,
religious world. While there are grea
evils TO tc dcplored. there never was 81
much good done,as at present. Right is Il
prevail. Christianity is moving toward su
premacy. The Bible is studied by more per
sons and with more studiou, and devou
spirit than in the past. The revision OF
creeds is proof of this assertion. Mere creda
statements are not enough. Any manifes
disposition TO ignore confessions does no.
necessarily imply undue liberality o!
thought, but shows that the Scriptures arc
more Sr!ISa!X yIS IhnT Sx9miasd am ssff
Increasingly
10 give fresh impetus TO the diffusion o
Christian truth, and do not feel any over
wrought solicitudc about infdelity. Trut
is mighlicr than error. lnidel speculation
arc negative forces. Our age has no relis
Cor the hippant sayings ofa CELSIUS or Vo
taire. Men and women are reaching out 70
truth-gospcl truth and they are not to b
satisfied with the veneer work of the sophis
But we are not confined to mere assertion
There are facts and figures that are too elo
qnent with proof of the progressive charactc
+ Christianity.
Ponder these. In $50 the population G
t'iS country was in round numbers 26,000
o}O In 1880 the population of this countr
was in round numbers 50,00O 900. In 1856
there were but 100000 of men and wome
members of the Evangelical churches. Ii
1850 there were mors than 100000; tha
is TO say, while during thirty years tn
population of our country has doubled, an
it is the most rapidly populating ca ro