New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-16
THE NEW CHRISTIANITY.


People have become so used nowadays to such
q development of working Christianity as Grace
Chanel which was cOnsecrated last week, that
they hardly appreciate its significance. But III
truth Grace Chapel and the many other religious
agencies now doing work on the same lines repre-
sent 4 new Interpretation Of Christianity, which
is shaping itself In the minds Of modern Chris
tians Christianity to-day is learning TO serve
God by serving man. 1t may be SAID that II
ought always to have done So anu certainly TIE
Christianity Of Christ did, as we know, lay the
strongest possible emphasis on the sacred oDil-
CATION of human brotherhood. But, as we also
know. the vital meaning OF that great teachins
was often lost sight of by the Church. Even 10
day, when altruism has become an intellectual
fashion, how many Christians there are to whOm
Christianity means practically little more than
an inward assurance of their personal salvation
through the acceptance Of certain dogmas. Then,
too. there seems at the present time to be a
recrudcscence Of the objective side of religion.
II is the golden age of the Church miner and
frrnsher. and many Christians seem to regard
the frppcries of ritual display as the supreme
end and aim of the Churchs mission on earth.
There is a sort of matcriazed sainthood current
in the Churches to-day. coined ont Of the passions
Of youth and hardened by the tread of the pass
inr wears Worldliness when it enters the
Church. loves to initiate the outward life Of the
faithful. II will sing Of self-denial and even don
its robes But It is deaf to the cry OF the weary
and the heavy laden.
Such conception Of religious duty. however,
il becoming dlScrcdteI \ more spiritual,
more helpful and we may add, more Christ
At, T.. al. ina Ia Ian ~
This poor Imitation Of IT, AT such a time" said
Bishop Potter. in his noble sermon At the conse-
Grafton of Grace Chapel. for the Church OF God
.'to sit still and be content with theories or IT'S
duty outawcd by time and long ago demon
"stratcl TO be grotesqucy inadequate TO the de-
.'lnands of a living situation. This IS TO deserve the
"srorn Of men and the ours" of God. Take my
"worI for IT, men and brethren. unless you and
II and all those who have any gift or steward
shin Of talents or means. Of whatever sort. are
"vllllug to ct M out of our sloth and ease and
selfish dilcitantcsm Of service and get down
among the people who are battling amid their
"n,yerfv and ignorance then verify the
church In It's stately splcndor. its apostolic or
.ders its venerable ritual. It's decorous and dig
''ninod conventions. X revealed rs simply mon
.sfrous and insolcnt impcrtinence." BY his po-
sltlon and scrvc.. no mar Is better entitled 70
speak for The new Christianity ~ service 10
humanity. which Is really the old Christianity;
and no one could better express is spirit than
the Bishop has don" in these words Great
power and opportunity bring corresponding obll-
caiion, and dutlcs. \ great Church organization
WAS not meant 10 BE- the end OF Christ's teach
ines but m agency. rather, for the uplifting OF
men and women. This IS the Inspiring message
If christianity TO The world to-day as II Is in
fcr-,r,ted 10y some Of irs wisc>t leaders AMI I'M
der liz. inspiration ~ that message devoted men
and women in Increasing numbers, are Ewing
,h. Gospcl ~ Christ among the humble and the
moor. And in living II they preach II with an
.,nuu.ncc far greater than that OF The most ac-
complishcd pulpit orator.