Connecticut western news., 1894-08-16

anity to be, but we can say what Christ said of bis foss, "They know not what they do." If this be christianity let us wash our hands of it. The pew method is seeking to bring Into greater promi- hence sentence from the Lords prayer which reads Forgive us our trespas-es as we forgive those who trespass against us. Can we expect Him to forgive us in any larger measure than we are accustomed to forgive others2
 Christianity is an everyday life that involves every deed: 1t is not primarily the rule of mystical faith which blos- snms into holiness on Sunday and into sin on Monday. This rule k an old wineskin and the new wine of Christ cannot be holden of it. A larger and better conception Of the meaning of the life and teachings of Jesus is to enter into the hearts and lives of new and rising generations and in this way is earth to be lifted hearenward, man be- coning one with God. The rising gem eration is throwing of bondage to the old wineskin which has so long held sway that 1t seems to be authoritative | One comes to me saying, make it plain | that they I eed Christ. they rejoice that they have Oh. ist. I ask them to ex- plain aud their answers are not clear, I do not understand, I do not have the | feeling that they claim to have, do not feel that I need him, just what does that mean?" Put away those troublesome questions from your heart. Do you not know that the world would be happier if all our words and deeds were controlled by the same spirit that controlled tue words and deeds ofChrist? Do you not thiAk that we all need more of that spirit than we possess? It Is the spirit of Love. Do you not see what it means to need Christ? The more we try to be governed by that spirit the larger will be the measures of if granted to us. The Christ-hke life Is tue happy life and it Is that which makes chris tian happy. Living the life and doing the deeds ,sf love is to be drawn towards God. and how do we know this? For ''God Is Love"
 The thought thus far has been quite largely devoted to an explanation of what christianity is, which leaves limit ed space for the introduction of other ways ard methods belonging to things new. which are essential to any complete consideration of the theme. A few can just be mentioned. Starting with this belief that the interpretation of the scriptures is new and the interpretation of christianity Is new, it follows that the preaching of our day is different from what 1t was, and in communities where now Is heard preaching that fo: the most part existed fifty years back, there reason gives place to emotion, intelligence to species of mysticism, christian living to christian dogma and q christian stagnation prevails. The preaching of that day was needful for but it is unable to produce those results now.
 Another change for the better is the decadence of emotional revivals; educa. tion IS slowly putting these away. They remain here and there but only as ghosts of their former selves. The teaching of the Sunday School is also changing along those lines that have been indicated ill the new interpreta. tions of scripture. The nature of the mid-week meetings Is changing, and here the testimonies of minds that think are prevailing over the oft-repeated and thread. bare words of mystic emotion.
 The old meeting house with hard, high backed pews and closed Blinds, SC that even in the hour of worship but stray beams of heavens sunshine could find entrance, is yieldi 8 to this law oi the new for the new; and progressive architecture erects tue modern commo- dious church. The institutional church is being organized, throwing out mani fold lines of christian industry in every day of the week. The old wineskin de veloped but one side of human nature, and that the soberest, while the new seeks to develop the whole man, body, mind and soul. The institutional church which would have been looked upon askance generation ago is mol without its gymnasium, readingroom and halls for sport. these faculties essential to a many sided growth, until we all come to perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness oi l Christ.
 The religious press assumes broader and m ore liberal tone. Denominations lines are weakening and their difference. are kept in the background. It is al the slow increase in tue world of the spirit of love which governed the life oi Jesus when he was man; obeying the new commandments which he gave.
 This subject necessitates freedom oi speech and there are many who .wil take exceptions to what has here been expressed. It is rule that whenever ( new thing is introduced some one i, ready to oppose it. When the railway was first laid through New England valleys many communities loudly pro tested that the new thing would depre ciate property and frighten herds be | yond recovery: yet in spite of opposition railroads had to come and they brought with all their imperfections a new ana better order. So with due reverence te those who object in the sphere of chris tianity, iu spite of objection and pro test the new IS coming: no man can stoI it: it Is the design of God, and thougI 1t have imperfections and in ways aud methods be decidedly earthly it vii effect new and better order in tho sphere of the kingdom. One might a, we'll attempt to stop the globe in itl sweep about the sun: it cannot be done Then what is the duty devolving on us' Say first Thy will not mine he done and inspired by this sentiment let u, enter heartily into the ever advancing stream. welcoming the new, doing oul part in fulfilling the declaration of God spoken to the world through the below ed disciple, "Behold am making al things new.