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

For the first time we really meet the
true representatives of the millions of
China, Japan, India, the far east and
the far north. We find that to each of
these people God has spoken a word.
We find nothing there that is worth
having that is not contained in Chris
tianity, but we do find much that is
from God, and we rejoice and take
courage. We grasp with greater firm
ness tho faith that the fullness of his
word in Christ they will yet receive.
The faith of the future must have this
world consciousness of Gods presence
and truth.
We must not in the future confound
strange faces and strange costumes and
strange tongues with the devil and his
angels.
1t is too small a notion of God.
1t is too big conception of the devil.
Such confusion must become more
and more impossible in the faith Of the
new generation.
Seoond-That the only test of the Or
thodoxy of the religion of the future
will be the measure of the character Of
its disciples.
There is only one conceivable condi-
tion under which Christianity might
tremble to enter into discussion and
comparison with other religions-if the
character of its disciples were inferior.
Before this supreme test the Christian
ity Of Jesus Christ today stands match
less. We know its authority must be
supreme because the type of man it pro-
duces is the highest Of which man has
yet shown himself capable.
The creeds of the world are all under.
going the searching investigation of the
electric light of this scientific age.
Many traditions are being swept away
as fiction pure and simple. Any creed
that cannot stand this search ought to
perish. do not want religion that
is not true. If / am wrong, the sooner
l know it the botter-the better for
me; the better for all concerned. True
orthodoxy is loyalty to the truth. The
creed that survives the shock Of the
iconoclasm Of the twentieth century
will be one that can meet and that will
be ever ready to meet with calmest
assurance the assault of hosts arrayed
against it, and that courts the most
searching analysis of science and philos-
ophy. 1t cannot be called Roman or
Protestant, orthodox or heterodox, old
school or new school; it must be vital
its logic must be the logic of life. We
are told that in Pennsylvania there is
a religious body of Germans who take
an eager share in the worlds work.
But it is customary among them for a
man to give up money making at mid
die age.
To this end no lives abstemiously
and lays by every penny, accustoming
his children to dress plainly ard to live
without meat or dainties. At 90 he
usually hands over his office or shop to
his sons and gives the rest of his life
to missionary or charitable work for
the lettering of his kind.
A CHRISTIAN DEFINED.
Doyou ask the question, Are these peo-
pie Christiansf Perhaps they have no
organic connection with any historic
church, Roman or Protestant. But
this really has nothing to do with the
question. They ere Christians if they
live Christ's lifc--it does not matter
what they call themselves or what we
may chose to call them. All religions
are true which produce Christlike
men and women. 1t is blasphemy to
call any religion false that does pro-
duce such disciples. 1t is blasphemy to
call any religion Christian which fails
to produce Christlike men and women.
Only here will we find the supreme test
of the true religion. This is to be the
only measure Of the orthodoxy of the
future. Sectarianism is fast dying, even
in its own homes. People more and
more are ceasing to care about the
distractions over which our fathers
fought unending wars. In the great
centers of our life sectarianism in
Christianity is already downed. This
is because the test of life is coming
now to be the only test Of crced. We
have come to believe you--to know that
a mans life is his creed.
To know the religion of people at
its true worth and meaning find their
Efe-you need go no further. There
is nothing more to be said. AS a matter
of fact the Midway plaisance at the
fair was the most interesting parlia-
ment of religions ever assembled. In
30 far as the exhibits there made re-
hected the actual life of different peo-
pies, they gave us the only reliable
statement Of their creeds. We may
put on our best clothes among strangers
and juggle with words-the life tells
the real story. The Turkish establish.
ment, so far as it is really representa-.
tive, Is an exposition of the Koran, the
Chinese of Confucius and 80 on to the
end of the catalogue, with the White
City itself, which stands as the express
sion Of Christian progress and attain
ment. A Chiuaman sent the following
letter some time ago to the editor of a
New York newspaper:
saw that the board of foreign missions Is
raising Sl,000,0OO to convert the heathens Of
China, India and other unfortunate and neg
ected children Of God. am one of those bo-
1ighted heathens that they wish TO convert,
but heather as l am feel as II have Chris
Ian charity enough left to plead for certain
portion Of New York city. Let mo suggest TO
ne board that they have leave half OF China's
hare for the Fourth ward In New York and
Ihe other half to that part of Harlem bounded
by Tenth avenue, First avenue and Ninetieth
and One Hundred and Twenty-hf streets.
This Is q territory almost as large as the coun-
ly Of Pou 10y, In which Is situated Tong Cho,
China, where the bulk of the money is to be
'ept-a county where there was not drunk
srd or murderer for 800 years
Here 10 the report of a Chinese who has Just
.nv, O.. Ill ltl
spnt nose and q torn and tattered coat be-
,auae he dared 70 Wnlk nnon their straeta. IL