Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-08-03
Christianity of the Future.

From Our New York Correspondent
The Rev DR.. David H. Greer, who is man
of such religious authority that he would
have been the successor of Phillips Brooks
had he not declined the call, and who is the
rector of the church which the head of the
Vanderbilt family attends, is distinguished
in New York by his study of the social
problems. Anything that he says upon
this subject is regarded as the word Of one
having authority. Dr. Greer said first in
speaking of the temperance problem:
am satisfied that we are to have solu-
ton of this mighty problem, not in legisla-
tive enactments nor in criminal procedure,
but think that temperance is to be gained
solely by the influence of the Christian re-
lgion. | used to favor prohibition, but |
think that it will be demonstrated very
soon that this does not offer the key to the
problem. | was in favor of stringent crimi-
nal legislation, but | have abandoned that
idea. My experience teaches Inc that in the
future it will be recognized that the only
way permanently to reclaim the victims of
incompetence and to prevent others from
becoming victims is by the influence which
Christian ministers and Christian men and
women are to exert.
There is going to be very soon Il change
in the views with which the Bible is looked
upon by great masses OF men and women.
This change will come to us in the next
century, and the results will be stupendous
for good. Men and women will no longer
read the Bible mechanically. They will not
set themselves stint of so many chapters
a day and having read them regard them
selves as having performed Christian
duty. They will not look upon the Bible
as Il sort of FETCH
On the contrary, it will be underst God
that it is "A book to be studied; as Ruskin
said, it must be dug into that its truths
may be brought out. 1t will no longer be
esteemed as gold coin, but as ore, from
which glorious and golden truths are to be
extracted When people begin to realize
this they will understand what is meant
by the inspiration of this book 1t is an
inspiration not in the technical sense, but
in its influences. There Will be new and
splendid lights kindled by this modern
treatment of the word of God.
Simplicity will take the place of subtlety
and vagueness 1t will be understood that
the lesson of the Old Testament rs re-
vealed by this method of reading the Bible
is simply this-that God is one, God is a
Spirit, God is religious, and the lesson of
the New Testament as Suggested by Christ
life is that religion is lsve. And when in
the next century this is understood of all
men | have no doubt that the influences Of
Christianity will be the most stupendous
since those eXerted in the early days of the
church.
There is going to be, too, u change in the
methods Of public and private benevolence.
Free and mdiscriminate charity will be al.
most unknown. 1t is beginning to be I'M
derstood that the highest charity is that
which guides rather than supports. Mpr
and women will be taught to help them
selves. The aid will be given in an almost
concealed manner. Self respect will be
cultivated and self reliance as well. The
| greater benevolences will be conducted
Npon sound business principles and pre-
sumo that III the next century those who
then live will see something like solution
OF these great and hitherto troublesome so
cial and economic problems