The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-02-14
THE TIMEs%-RTcHMoND Va. SUNDAY. rrBRuARY14Is 1872.
tho relations Of this and other similar instItu-
tions o. the Church of God.

tho relations Of this and other similar instItu-
tons to the Church of God.
SPECIAL oRGAN.
In tho course OF providence and under the
guidance of the AL Wise Spirit the Churcn mas
from time TO time put forth some speclal or
gan 70 meet some special need. One OF ths
great duties Of the Church is % circulate tho
Scrlptures among all men-tO sec that every
family las "A Bible. and If possible that every
individual reads it. This being a general
Work ana one IN which all branches OF the
Cuurcn can unite without compromising any
denominatiOna tenet. a great organ has been
put forth Tor Its accomplishment. and so we
nave the American Bible Society in this cOun-
try, tho British aud Foreign in England and
other similar institutions IN the various ma
tons OF christendom.
Another great work Of the Church of God
Is the gathering OF the young into classes and
lnstructing them IN the fundamental truths
OF our holy religion. To meet this tho Sunday
school has been evolved and IS now one Of
the greatest institutions for the accomplish
ment Of the Church work on earth.
or THE cHURcH
These institutions. called into existence by
tho Church OF God 10 meet a special need
which pertains 70 the whole body. are not So
c%ieties outside of aud rivals % the Church.
but are organs Of the Church itself, created in
the Church and by the Church. for the most
elective prosecution of It's work IN particular
spheres of duty and responsibility.
The Young Mems Christian Association
stands upOn the same footing rs do the Bibio
Society and the Sunday school. Recognizing
the paramount importance OF gathering young
men. the most threatened and the most hope
full class. into organizations for instruction,
for " rship and for work. the Church OF God
has itself called into existence the magnificent
organ of Christian life and labor which now
fills so great a place in the world, and which
is accomplishing such glorious resultsln every
country under Heaven.
SUPPORT AND DIRECTION.
I'm this view Of the case the question. What
claims has the Young Mems Christian Assocl-
alton upon the Church may be answered:
The same claim which the human hand.O eye.
orfOOt. or IN other organ has upon the body
that 0i support and direction. The hand de-
serves the support Of the BODY because it Is
part of tue body aud because Il does the
body's work. Tho Young Mems Christian
Association deserves the support OF the
Church because il IS an organ of the Church
and because 10 does the Church's work. And
so an organ OF the body should receive direc-
ton from the body because il is an organ Of
the body and does the body's work. The
Young Mems CHRISTIAN Association Is an or
gan OI the Church IL does an important part
of the Church's work and IS supported 10y the
Church. therefore II should receive direction
from the Church. This direction should not
be assumed by any UNCONVENTIONAL organiza
ton. but should proceed from the Church rs
o whole. which Is not an organization, but "A
grand organism.
PART OF THE BODY.
Thelife and spirit OF the Church should flow
into this organ OF It's work. and the direction
be given not as 10y a hand laid upon a tele-
graph instrument, but as tho hand itself Is
guided through vital channels. by which it is
nourished r. "a part of the body.
Ia point OF TACT this IS the relation lnstinc-
tiyely established and practically recognized
between the Dung Mems Christian Assooia-
ton and the Church. and. under tho nourish-
ment of the Church5 lite and under It's guid-
ance this splendid organ of Christian work has
accomplished vast good. and doubtless Will 90
on increasing IN strength and usefulness as
the church comes more fully 10 understand
our mission and the nature of her being. aud
feels the weight of her sublime task-tO bring
all men to the knowledge OF the salvation OF
God.
Helpful 20 the Church.
Rev. s. X. Cox. d. d.. of Harrisonburg. had
prepared the following paper on How Can
tho Association DO More Helpful to the
church,
There are two things implied in the ques-
tion here submitted for discussion: First.
That the Association has been helpful to the
Church 70 o certain extent. Second. That its
usefulness IN this regard may be increased.
We are called upon 10 inquire into the means
10y which this end can be secured.
1t would be strange indeed if the Associa-
ton We're not tributary 20 the Church s
growth and prosperity. Ii Is the offspring of
the Church and Is maintained I'm existence by
her fostering care. The d~esignatiye title OF
the Association identifies 10 with all that is
Christian in effort and aim. Hence the OBJ
lection ls q most unreasonable one that IS
sometimes urged against it. that 1t seeks to
suDplant OF substitute the Church. The mere
attempt would be as matrCidal as II would be
futile. Drawing It's very life and nutrlment
from the Church 10 would be most unWlse 10
aim q suicidal blow 40 It's own vltals. 10 IS lm-
pOrtant Co determine how the two can most
successfully c0-Operate. how tine mother can
best contribute 70 the development OF the
child. aud the child respond IN effective ser
vice % the mother.
FITNEss OF THIN0s.
One method by which the Association can
be more helpful o. the Church Is Oy a tull
recognition OF its dependent and subsidiary
relation. IL is not as an Independent prlncl-
pie. but rs o loyal auxiliary that It's true
sphere Of work and influence can be ascer-
tanned. The child that assumes the authOri-
~ and trenches on the prerogatlyes OF the
plrent exposes itself 20 both ridicule and
failure. In the kingdom Of grace. as Of nature,
tie most potent factor is found IN the fitness
Of things. IN the adaptation Of means 10 ends,