The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-05-19

ment OF animals has changed. A vast or
ganiZation headed by noble men and wo-
men, and bearing on its roster the names
OF a vast number of humber. but equally
highminded persons. protects dumb
brutes from cruelty in England. In the
United States a similar society, founded
by that great humanitarian, Henry
Bergh, is thousands strong. Has not
Christianity brought thesa things about?
And surely science itself has not made
its marvellous advances without incur
ring a vast debt to Christianity. What
has developed education except Chris
tianity? Who were the students, and, in
turn, the teachers at the beginning of
the renaissance OF knowledge. which has
already reached so sublime a point, and
which Is. apparently. too far from It's
max 70 make a prediction OF its end yet
possible? Were they not the Christian
monks. who, when outside the cloister
walls there were universal turmoil and
dissension, preserved within their monas-
teries a peace and quiet given over 10
two things-their devotions and their
studies? IL was they who laid the foun-
dation stones for the grand structure OF
modern progress. as certainly as 1t was
earnest Christians who laid the founda-
lions for the abbey. whose towering and
magnificent facade you gaZed at before
you entered here.
"Mercv and charity. Mercy and char
y
day: signs OF the progress and develop
ment that have already come; signs
that progress and development are as
grandly Inevitable in the future as they
have been in the past The imperious-
ness OF wealth. the arrogance or class
distinction, must continue 10 give way
70 them Already the poor mans voice
is loud IN England. and not loud in wall
ing. but loud in counsel that Is care
fully regarded and respect fully needed.
Mercy and charity-Christian virtues
both-support our hospitals and MONIES;
preserve our children from vice and teach
them virtue: dominate our law and mag
isfrates move our monarchs-control
our world. Can any one who really
thinks assume that Christianity is not
gaining power?
.'But the church itself" asked. las
differentiated from abstract religious SEN
timent-is that growing. too? Does the
number Of church-goers. OF open worship
ers. keep pace with popistfon In It's
growth"
The broad-minded churchman sank
back again into the depths OF the cav
ernous chair from which the earnestness
OF has remarks had drawn him, and. with
half-closed eyes. expressed an opinion
amazing In It's width and wisdom, coming
as f. ala from a high Official OF the
Church OF England
II DO not KNOB he slowly said, that
that follows, or that II needs 20 follow.
do not know that the number OF
'church-goers' as you describe them, has
grown as rapi lily as has the number OF
men and women. 7 DO not know that II
has not. mind you"
T,her. after another brief pause, ne
started forward again and with nttle
gesture OF earnestness, exclaimed soft
ly;
Need we care?
Cannot a man ne a Christian unless
ha attends church. I think he can b.
L - % course. most desirable for all
Christians 10 openly acknowledge their
Christianity ny regular attendance at
place OF worship. I Is glorious that we
are permitted 20 gather in public edi-
fees and acknowledge our devotion Il
makes rs proud or our rellgion-aud pride
the right kind o pgide-is a wonder
fully good influence. And from each
other We rathsr force. There is power
magnetic and ins0iring sympathy-in
numbers Church worship and church
membership are Rrsat helps. particular
" % the young II y a fine thing for the
Young man 10 listen 20 the Word % our
Lord and 20 pray - Him and feel His
r~eserce In ths rnf3<t OF a concourse OF
other listeners, OF ether suQplicators. or
svmpathfzerS. But the voice OF God
= loud in the wilderness. Does He not
allure "a 20 petition Him In secret
What consolation IS 50 passing sweet as
that which comes . Us when ~ are
alone wttn Hin? Churches are the visi-
he evidences % religion: but religion
an religion exists elsewhere than IN the
rews: IS preached from other places
than the p2ip!t. has melodies even
swepter than fhe vasces OF any human
choir, and harmo1ieS deeper. granaer,