Connecticut western news., 1894-08-16
urs a better christianity than it has

been?
 Observe few of the new ways and means that are coming to the front and being adapted to the new generation. A great defect in former methods of christianity has been of the same nature as the defect in old systems of government; monarchic rather than republic; the control of the few instead of the many; and as long and fiery experience has shown the re public administered for and by the peo pie to be the highest form of govern ment, so still longer and at times more fiery experience is disclosing the same truth in christianity, that the highest dispensation of Christ in the world can not be under the beck and nod of the few. The time was when one interpre- ted truth for a thousand, and two with it might put ten thousand to flight. The time was when the clergyman was the autocrat of every New England viii lage. The time IS when the understand ing ofan educated people is Interpreting truth for itself, and when the clergyman is leveled to his lawful position in a community, the position of one among the people, of the master who came to serve not to be exalted.
 Another new movement of christian ity, better designed to the new age, Is a new interpretation of scripture. The old was to interpret in strict, literal sense, to raise God to the heights of & magnificent mystery, to level man with the worm of the dust, to emphasize the occult nature of the crucitixion which in some esoteric manner removed the wrath of God and provided for man a way of escape; 1t drew in graphic de tail the abode of torment, its continued portrayal was such that people in hor- TOT backed away from 1t and found themselves backing into the abodes of the blessed The old interpretation built the letters of Paul into great sys- tems of theology and made their ac- ceptance paramount. It emphasized the miraculous work of the Spirit in conversion and lost sight of the teach ing that the Kingdom of Heaven exists in germ in every man. It subordina- ted the humanity of Jesus, the simplic- ity and practical nature of his every day living. The whole system exalted the mysterious and depreciated the hu- man reason. Now reason is one of the noblest faculties of man; it Is the image of God in man, the stamp which we bear that attests our divine sonship. The aim of christianity Is to develop this faculty so that it shall eventually become one with the reason of God. Reason is always growing into new heights from which 1t is looking down upon this interpretation of scripture and saying 1t Is old and the old cannot successfully be attached to the new No one without violating natural law IS to make old wineskins contain new wine; new wineskins are to be p,epar- ed. s..-..
 Reason asks what is inspiration and who wrote the bible, and Is man ex- pected to put its mysteries uppermost- 2 Reason adds that the bible Is here to reveal the divine life as life of love, to declare the Fathers affection for His children and to show what kind of everyday living will bring the child up to the love-level of the Father. It is here not only to teach this supreme truth but also to give specific example of 1t. The new interpretation subordi- mates mystery and theology to plain teaching, SO simple that a child-mind car understand. It turns the eye of the soul to the fact that 'sGod so loved tue world;" and love supernal draws as the magnet draws the steel. The bible gives no instance of & soul frightened into the kingdom by the fires of the pit.
 Now what Is meant in the sentence God so loved the world?" What is in- finite love? Is there something dark about 1t because connected with an in finite being? We sometimes read and hear but need an illustration to under stand; and that we might not here fail to understand an illustration has been given. It removes uncertainty. Not only is the precept Glove one another" enioined, not only is the new command ment "that ye love one another as I have loved you" given, but we have a living illustration explaining what God s love for us is God came down and showed by His own example the mean ing of His word. The old interpreta- ton in large measure lost sight of that everyday example: the pew interpreta- tion is bringing it to the front The old emphasized mans Sunday religion and the nature of his religious testi- monies in the hours of worship; the new is laying stress on the necessity of an everyday level christianity and the superiority of deed over word. This example of God loving the world is seen to be more matter of week day living and doing. This was the christi snity of Christ. He went about doing good; he served others, healed the sick. opened the eyes of the blind, sought tn remove the terror of death, comfortea the sorrowing. He wept with those who wept and reioiced with those who rejoiced. He showed the loveliness of self-denial and the beauty of living to help another. He displayed the kind ness that forgives trespasses and that for gives the trespasses of an enemy. He showed that the infniteness of divine love lay. in giving up even life if neces- sary in behalf of another. He showed that these qualities in human being are eternal, and that one who incorpor- ates them into his living does not die; that such one passes into a sphere where love reigns immortal These min istratiops of divine love abounded in every day of the week as we'll as on the Lords day. This is the love of. God
 for the world, displayed in the every day life of God. and He says in sub stance Do as d ""Love one another as have loved you.
 The old interpretation has had ten aency to develop in man kind of Sunday and meeting,ho religion and to neglect the weekday living. My memory recalls more than one who
 used to rise and bear witness to the fact that he thanked God that his sins
 were washed away in the blood of the Lamb. out who also used 10 go upon