The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1893-11-23

uOShh0 VI DlSUtEy uul hdTIOWueS3 WlJu
the decline of ignorance.
The decline Of bigotry inevitably
leads to TIE decline of the spirit of
faction and division. Such study must
lead us directly to unity of associa.
ton and action. The aspiration fer
vital union in Christendom has thus
been quickoned as never before. This
quickenlng must continue as this study
continues and the great essentials are
insisted upon rather than minor differ.
ences exaggerated.
Fourth--That true civilization and
the Kingdom of God" must DO seen
to be one and the same thing in their
advance and development.
The foreigner objects to Christianity
because of certain vices he sees domi-
nant in the manhood of nominal Chris.
tian notions. Our answer is: "These
men are not Christians; they have not
the spirit OF Christ; they have not been
born anew with his spirit; they must
not be taken rs examples. The social
vices Of which you complain are the
very powers Christianity is daily com.
batting" In one sense the answer is
to the point. In another it is not.
We have certainly in tho past failed
to make the same allowance in passing
Judgment upon the civilization of those
who hold strange religions. We have
charged every national vice to tho
heathen's god and priest and temple.
We must not in fairness quail before
similar method of reasoning.
The fact is. this is the test Of life
again. Do what we may, juggle with
arguments as we may, Christian or
heather can not escape the logic of the
accusation. In one sense Christianity
is responsible fully and wholly for the
product known as Christian civiliza.
tion. Civilization is the material in
carnation Of the faiths of a people
True civilization is the growing uni
versal Kingdom of God" Of which
Jesus constantly taught, which he came
into the world to establish. In pro.
portion as it is false, Christianity has
failed in its mission. The distinction
of the sacred and the secular must per-
ish. The logic of the heathens is unan-
swerable. All things are sacred. The
sphere Of Christianity is the sphere Of
the conscience. What does not touch
conscience is outside the domain Of the
moral world. Every power that re-
mains untouched and unsound in our
midst is standing accusation and chal-
lenge to life, to Christianity. An in
famous act by the government of a
Christian nation must be charged to the
Christians account-the government is
his. If it is not Christianized, SO much
the worse for his Christianity. If we
permit social regime which manufac-
lures drunka-ds and prostitutes and
it is poor excuse to lay it
all to natural depravity and charge up
to the poor heathen's religion every sin
Of his ancestor and of all his living
collateral relations. If our civilization
is anti Christian, let us see to it that
we have here the challenge to mortal
combat that we must settle before we
demand the faith of other worlds.
AN INCIDENT.
l read the other day of two little
bootblacks who were bosom friends
Jim and Andy. A good angel directed
a ticket of the Fresh Air fund to Jim
during the hot summer days. He was
delighted at the prospect of vacation,
Of fruit and fields and fun. But he
grieved because of Andy. They hatch
ed a plan for Andy to take the ticket
and be Jim for week in the country
M hn ha H.,
and after this he could go, and they
would both get the outing. Andy OBJ
jected to going first, and it was arranged
finally for Jim to lead in the scheme.
The writer says that the farmer and his
wife, with whom Jim went to spend his
holidays, made him heartily welcome
and told him they would do all they
could to help him enjoy himself, but
he must promise not to say any bad
words nor tell single wrong story.
Jim was staggered. What chance
would there be now for poor Andy2
The thought of his chum's disappoint-
nent worried him, and all the more
when every day of country life and
country fare brought him some new
lelight. 1t seemed quite too bad that
lis partner could have none of it.
The quiet habits and simple piety of
he farmers family, and their kind way
with him were revelation to Jim-a
'evelation Of himself as we'll as of
,ther things. Moral sense awoke in the
lntaught street boy.
The thought came to him that if he
,ould not tell lie for Andy he might
ell the truth. All his new surround
ngs encouraged the idea, and after some
hesitation he spoke of his little partner
n the city and confessed the scheme
hat had been agreed upon between
hem.
His good friends heard him with
noistened eyes. Two neglected boys
lad at least been keeping the divine
commandment to love one another and
,refer one another. Was not God pre-
,aring the way for them to learn the
est2
Loving kindness answered the ques-
ion by sending for Andy at once. He
vas provided with a good home in the
country not far from the house Of the
worthy farmer, with whom Jim con-
inued to stay.
How can Christianity hippantly dis
Miss responsibility for a civilization
hat produces and leaves to die in the
treets and prisons hundreds of thous-
Inds of such boys without one honest
fort to save them having ever been
nader
How can we face Japan with her
her fraternal unity of So
,iatv xuithnnIt distinctinna hatuaen rich