The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1894-05-16
The Church Is Losing Prestige, and
II Must Fit itself to the De-
mands of the Times,
Or II Will Fall in lnn0cuOus Desue-
tude, and The World Will
Pass BY.
Creeds Must Be RELOCATED and the
Brotherhood of Man Must
Take Their Place.
1T MUST ADVANCE.

The unity OF the Spirit-Ephesans Nv, B.
We are all agreed that the Christian
Church is an Indispensable factor OF our
civilization. However critical we may
be of its defects, we must needs admit
that il is the most conspicuous and i'm
portant element OF human progress.
1t has encouraged our aspiration, de-
Tended a high standard OF public and pri-
vate virtue, denounced the vices and vic
ious tendencies of society, organized a
thousand charities for the relief of the
unfortunate, given comfort to the sor-
rowing, strength to the tempted, resigna-
ton to the bereaved. 1t represents our
noblest impulses, our loftiest ambitions
and those hopes which in their upward
fight are so daring that they search for
another life when the resources OF the
present shall be exhausted.
But the Church has of late years lost
part of its old prestige. The world has
learned the lesson which is aforetime
taught and is looking either for new
truths or new application of ancient
truths. Neither life nor religion is quite
the same thing that it was to our faith
ers, for both life and religion are more
valuable, more significant than they
have ever been. They should therefore
produce larger results and furnish us
with grander incentives. The Church
must recognize these facts and fit itself
to the crucial emergency, or it will fall
in innocuous desuetude.
What is needed above everything else
is the urity of the spirit. There are to
many theological standards for an age
that takes no pleasure in theology, and
there is too much sectarianism at a
time when men believe more firmly in
brotherly love than they have done in
any previous historic epoch. The ten
dency is toward minimum OF creed and
a maximum OF charity. We have more
faith in an honest life than in an accept
ance OF the Five Institutes OF Calvin and
would feel safer at the judgment bar Of
God with an honorable business record
behind us than with all the theological
decisions of the Nicene Council. There
is extant no Reputation OF Christianity
but on the other hand wide and deeI
loyalty to the moral law as announced
by Christ. 1t is not an age OF doubt, bu
it is thoughtful age. No men since the
sun shone on Eden have ever had |
more biting hunger or 80 unquenchabl'
thirst for Gods truth. both respecting
this life and the other, than now.
There is universal wish, therefore
that the Church, which has been s.
brave in time past, may take the leader
ship of the people, as Moses did, shoV
them the way through this desert Q
hard work, aud give them the promis
OF green fields beyond the Jordan c
death.
Why should the Church allow itself I
be split into factions by theological di
ferences when every faction has tn
same general purpose in view and a
are working for the same object2 Tn
world asks for the bread of Christ, an
receives the stone of sectarianism in i
stead. 1t longs to hear OF heaven, an
will listen with patient ears TO the proc
OF Immortality, but il has no interest
the competition and rivalry of sects, {
in the dogmatic and doctrinsl side OF r
ligion.
II we could relegate all creeds TO II
background, imprison them within Il
limits of the students library, cause the
10 be regarded as simply fruitful subjec
Cor investigation, but not necessary
the moral progress Of the community
we could bring into the foreground,
the only important matter for conside
alton, the best way TO embody the serm,
on the Mount In our laws and the 10
OF God and love Of brother man in o
public opinion the Church would real