The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1896-10-08
SELECT RELIGIOUS READING
rnr REVIVAL OF nEronx.

Reform is often talked about as II II were
the beginning Of new order OF things, the
invention OF new modes and ends OF life.
The very word itself should correct that
fallacy. Reform is to form again on the
basis OF an order already established or an
ideal already raised up for the inspiration
OF humanity. The eye grows weary with
reading and the ear becomes heavy with
hearing about new social movements
and moral reforms in our day. What we
want Is not new panaceas for social and
moral evils, but revival OF the old
life and the old motive powers TO be
and TO do. One OF the proofs Of the divine
origin OF man is the fact that In his highest
moods and moments he looks back TO his
past "a the prophecy OF his future. Every
real movement Of progress il a reformation,
because II Is u going back 10 or a seeking
after the realization Of the revealed purpose
OF God. The noblest developments OF the
future can never exceed the types of moral,
social and political order to be found with
In the pages OF the Bible. The message and
the weapon of reform Is that Word OF God
which has been delivered to US by David,
Isaiah. Paul and the Master Himself.
Christian men are not playing with reform
unless they reverently and patiently study
the handbook of life TO discover what new
light will break from its teaching for the
problems and perils of their age, The COM
ing OF the kingdom OF God and the doing of
tnc viii OF tou must DC along the lines OF
obedience 20 activity fashioned afterthe pat
tern shown on the mount of Revelation.
reform IL realization of the purpose OF God.
All Christian Legislation opens its book of
laws with n recital of the Divine statutes. The
best sanitary measures are n revival OF the re-
forms indt Gated in the Mosaic system. One of
the ablest men OF science our generation
saw, said that he wanted nothing but the
Pcntateuch to establish the most perfect
sanitary order In the land. The lesson OF
Leviticus Is that public health Is inseparably
connected with public morals. and that
sins against health are sins against God
After many centuries that lesson IL being
taken to heart by humanity. The ques-
tions that deal with the relations between
masters and servants, capitalists and work.
men, rulers and subjects, are more and
more seeking solution In the teaching OF
Jesus Christ. Professor Drummond, In his
"Programme OF Christianity" reminds me
very forcihly that Christ came not merely
and not mainly to save "A few select souls
and transplant them 10 Paradise, but to re-
construct human society ON a Christian
basis, aud to destroy sin and misery, the
fruit OF sin. on this planet "What Christ
came here for was to make a better world"
All reform must have for its objects the
creation OF an atmosphere of righteousness
in the country In which everything base and
vicious shall be storilized and everything
good and true shall flourish the creation
OF that atmosphere II absolutely dependent
upon the thoroughness and fidelity with
which the principles OF the Bible are APP
piled to every condition OF human thought
and every department OF human activity.