The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1896-03-04
THE PARSON.
The Human Side Of Religion.

Editor Representative:
Periods of political revolution, peacable
or otherwise. are very trying to the pre-
vailing religion of the period Religion in
France has never regained the command
ing position held by it previous to the
French revolution.
revolutions are made against the pre-
valllng order of things and If the prevail
ing religion allies itself with the prevail
ing political conditions, very naturally re-
llglon comes in for its phases of Odium.
And even if religion takes a neutral posi-
ton 1t is not very different, for the people
are apt to conclude that those who are
not for them are against them
There is strong temptation for the priest
hood, representing the prevailing orders
or religious affairs of period to identify
themselves with the editors and politicians
representing the order of political condi-
tons OF that period. In the prevailing or
der or condition of affair the parsons, ed
itors and politicians are placed and can see
no reason why they should favor revolu-
ton that would interfere with their inter-
ests. The parson sees not why he should
run any risk Of doing violence to his con-
tribution box and social standing. Neither
does the editor and politician see why they
should lose their subscription list and the
the office they honor or the one they ex-
pect under the present order Of things.
Their interests are identified with the pres
ent order or programme, and very natur-
ally they oppose all change in the pro-
gramme.
Now, the people are not so much sur
prlsed that the editor and politician, who
are unregenerate human natures anyway,
Should be controlled by considerations of
personal interests. But they are likely to
expect better things of the parson; and If
they find that he is governed by the same
worldly motives as the editor and politi-
clan they fail to see any evidence of his
calling" And as the cali of the parson
is special inspiration for'the Interpretation
of scripture, when they lose faith in the
faith in the 'inspiration' of the scriptural
critics. Thus religion falls into bad re-
pute in period Of revolution.
Even If the parson makes the excuse
that it is not the business of theology to
interfere in political matters. the effect is
not very different. The people are apt to
conclude that, If religion is merely a mat
ter Of sanctuary observance, it is not a
balm in Gilliad, nor a succOr in a time of
great need. to them. And they will de-
mand a religion that makes itself felt in
the every day life Of men.
But it will never do for the people to lose
faith in the religion of the Bible because
of the presentation and exempliflcation Of
that religion by the present theology. This
would not be less absurd than for us to
lose faith in Republicanism and Democ-
racy because of the exemplification of
Democracy and Republication made by
the present order of editor and politician.
The Christian Biblical writers placed
great stress on religion in every day life,
and not so great stress on sanctuary OBJ
servances If modern theology has re-
versed this order, it is not the fault of
Biblical religion. Perhaps the theologian
feels that it is much safer to reprimand
men for not availing themselves of the
means of grace offered by the sanctuary
than to reprimand them for the sins of
every day life especially if those sins are
in the high places which fill the contribu
ton box and give social distinction.
Again, the sins specially handled with
out gloves by the Biblical writer's are the
worship of mammon, covetousness and
selfishness in all it's FORMS injustice and
lack Of brotherly love. The money chang
ers and usurers are hit specially hard, and
the oppressors of the people are denounced
everywhere in unmeasured terms. Indeed
there is every evidence that if the apostles
had lived in our day the present order of
sinners in high places would not get off so
easily. But the fact that these great sins
which effect the whole people and threaten
the life of the government itself are left
untouched or handled most gingerly by
the present theology, is no fault Of the re-
ligion of the Bible. Perchance the theo-
Logan feels that it is much more conven-
lent to insist on sanctuary observances
and to denounce small sins in low places
which either won't or can't strike back.
Perchance he finds it less healthy to de-
nounce money changers and oppressors
Of the people than to pronounce demnitiOn
bow-wows on those who stay away from
the sanctuary, who break the Sabbath, are
drunkards, or prostitutes and such small
fry as put little in the contribution box
and have no social distinction to give.
Perchance it is an age and country Of
mammon worshipers and maybe the par
son is not an exception to the general rule.
Again, the apostles denounced all man.
ner of sin with an utter disregard of
consequences to themselves. They count
ed it gain to suffer in the cause of truth
and the Lord; and were abundantly per-
secuted by the parties whose sins they de-
nOunced; they were refOrmers before the
reform was accomplished, and cheerfully
accepted the consequences. If present
theology fails to profit by their example
it is not the fault of the apostles or their
religion. Perchance our theologians are
not in the martyr business. While they
know it is not fashionable to stone men in
this age, they perhaps realize that they
could be but equally hard through their
position the contribution box and socially.
And perhaps they feel that it is much
safer to be a reformer after the thing is
accomplished. Indeed that seems to have
been the rule with theology in all ages
since the apostolic age It is so much
more convenient to build monuments to
martyrs than to suffer martyrdom. They
are willing that the active fellows shall
enjoy thet monument
The average parson like the average ed
itor and politician, and like gold and silver
either oppose reform or have nothing to
do with it until reform Is accepted. Then
they come out big, as who but we did it?
There is good deal of unregenerated hui
man nature in that sort Of thing, but per-
haps the people fail to see in it all any
evidence of the parsons high calling. In
deed, they may finally conclude that the
parson, like the editor and politician, is
more concerned about his election made
sure than about his calling.
But the intidel is not any better. Col.
until your month waters. But vote the
party deprive the people Of homes. Sam
people and for the people until you think
gold-bug Democrat. Both the infdel and
theories, but dismal failure in the matter
until you ask him for something. This in
ogy, but passes eventually by the God of
loon keepers, Sabbath breakers and those
shape. Both pass reverently by the money
Not so did the apostles. Not so did the
greatest statesmen many of whom were
suspected Of being infidels.
Fl. J. Ripley.