The Yellowstone journal. [volume] (Miles City, Mont.) 1893-1901, 1893-04-11

tFrom Our New York Correspondent
The Rev. DIR. David ii. Greer, who isaman
Of such religious authority that lie would
Lave 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
Nanderbilt family attends, is distinguished
in New York by his study of the social
problems. Anything that he says upon
this subject is regarded rs the word of one
having authority. DIR. Greer said first in
speaking of the temperance problem:
am satisfied that we are to have ii solu-
ton OF this mighty problem, not in legisia-
tive enactinents nor in criminal procedure,
but think that temperance is to be gained
solely by the influence of the Christian re-
ligion. | used to favor prohibition, but |
think that it will he demons rated very
soon that this does not offer the key to the
problem. l was in favoro OF stringent crimi-
nal legislation, but | have abandoned that
idea. My experience teaches me that in the
future it will be recognized that the only
way permanently to reclaim the victims of
intemperance and to prevent Others from
becoming victims is by the nfiuence which
Christian ministers and Christian men aud
women are to exert.
There is going to be very soon ii change
in the views with which the BihleiS looked
upon by great masses of mel and women.
This change will ONE to us in the next
century, and the results will be stupeidous
for good. Men and women will no longer
read the Bible mechanically. They will not
set themselves "A stint of so many chapters
IL day and having read them regard them
selves Is having performed II Christian
duty, They viii not iook upon the Bible
as Il sort OF fetch.
IN the contrary, it will be understood
that it is a boob to he studied. a. Ruskin
said. it must lie dug into that lis truths
may be brought out. 1t will no longer te
esteemed aS gold coin. hut rs ore, from
which glorious ard 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, hut
in its influences. There will be new and
splendid lights kindlcd by this modern
treatment of the word of God.
Simplicity will take the place of subtlety
and vagucncss. 1t will be understood that
the lesson of the Old Testament as re-
reaied by this method Of reading the Bible
is simply this-that God i, one, God is a
Spirit. God is religious, and the lesson Of
the New Testament as suggested by Christ's
life is that religion is love. And when in
the next century TN, l. Understood oil all
men | have 10 doubt that the influences eli
Christianity will be the most stupendous
since those eXerted in the early days of tine
church..
There is going to be, too. Il change in the
methods of public and private benevolence.
Free and inaiscriminate charity will be al
most unknown. 1t is beginning to be un-
derstood that the highest charity is that
which guide, rather than supports. Men
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
upon sound business principles, and ! pre-
sumo that in the next century those who
then live will see something like a solution
of these great and hitherto troublesome So
cial and economic problems,