Evening journal., 1895-02-22
CHURCH AND REFORM.
Haste to Correct Outside Evils
Without Attention
TO THB NEEDS WITHIN THE FOLD

of HIS Church.
There were many new faces at this !
mornings session of the Maryland Asso.
citation Of the New Jerusalem Church at |
the house OF worship Of that denomina- |
tion, Delaware avenue and Washington |
street Reports OF all the societies were
read and committee on credentials re. |
ported on the attendance Of delegates.
Communication were read from Jack. |
sonville. Md, Baltimore, German So
ciety, Easton, Md, Washington Society,
Preston, Md, Richmond. Va Mission.
African Church, OF Washington and
the Wilmington Society.
Position OF the New Church.
Rev. Frank tewall. general pastor Of
the association, delivered his annual
address at IL 30 He dwelt on some en-
couaaging signs Of progress in the i'm
provement Of the church buildings Of the
Baltimore German, Wilmington and
the National New. Church. He
dwelt on the relation OF the
New-Ohurch to the prevalent teachings
Of occultism, theosophy. etc, distinctly
denying the claim that the teachlnga OF
the New Church are In any way TO bs
identified with these movements.
Those Who Call Themselves "a Live
"Ohurch."
In his address before the association
regarding the New Church's position on
aggi essiva outside crusades for civil
reforms, Rev. F. b. Cabell said
Unfortunately for the good OF the
church and it's influence as the only
proper reform movement, many branches
Of 1t teach their (children) members that
profession Of faith In the atonement
and a decent external regard TO the
requirements Of the Christian life
are quite sufficient to save them from the
consequences of their sons This con-
viction on their part begets certain
feeling of security for themselves which
leaves then free to attend to other evils
beside their own.
This, perhaps, is the only excuse for
the definition first given, of what is
living church. But that such method Of
removing evil and sin Is unreasonable
and unscriptural might be easily and
unanswerably proved, aud that such
sense of security Is delusive and
destructive TO the souls best interest, If
church members Ia good standing with
themselves and their brethren do not
seem perfect In the eyes Of that very
world Hhom they seek to reform.
No Excuse for Going without
Certainly In the New-Church, where
we have gone back to the old Apostolic
doctrine that every man must work out
his own salvation with fear and trembling
for the final result, we have no reason,
no excuse individually or collectively
/ for joining In q violent crusade against
existing evils until we, as church
members, or as body OF Christians are
above reproach ourselves.
"Let us not, therefore, be carried away
by the tide of forcible external reform,
faithful to the task Of becoming ourselves
perfect even as our Father In Heaven is
perfect
Threats DO Not Reform.
"When we consider our doctrines
concerning human freedom, that ines
timable Jewel of life that ths Lord ever
preserves and never takes away and the
/ further statement that threats and
punishment do not reform, we may well
believe that all such compulsory means
would be unknown In the church that is
to be. / know OF no power In the
church TO compel men TO do rlght-even
its own members. The church has
limited power Of adiudicRting wrong aud
differences between its members This
our Lord declared when be said, con.
cerning an offending member, II he
would not hear the church he should be
regarded as AN heather man and q
Publican, but whore real charity and
mutual love reign, there will seldom be
need OF such appeals.
Wherefore, II the power Of the churct
be 80 limited to forcibly correct evils
within her own doors, what disorder mus
1t involve that she should attempt Il
exercise any such power without. Whal
power, then. has the Church OF God I,
effect reforms, to remove evils from thl
world wherein rests her right to be called
the only reforming power worth thu
name What means has she at hei
disposal to that good endg
First, we would introduce honesty
and integrity into all business affairs
beginning with our own. We wouls
respect the rights. domestic, civil an,
social, OF all men and their good name, Il
other words, are trying 20 do to Others
as We would have them do TO us.
IF the church would approach thi
world and prove her sincerity by every
where acting up to these sentiments, sh
would coon vindicRte her claim to be tn
only reform movement worth the nam
and all the evils which affect societ
would soon be bRnished from the earth.
49,.