The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1896-07-02
SELECT RELIGIOUS READING.
GOING OUT AND pnrSorso IN.

Going out Is the indispensable prelimi-
nary to bringing ia for every worker in the
Masters vineyard. This holds true of the
great Worker himself II was necessary foi
The Saviour TO 20 ont from Heaven before
He could bring lost world within the pale
Of salvation. Only the aggressive church
can be the redemptive church. DR.. Chal-
mers, the famous preacher and reformer oi
Scotland. used TO contend that there were
two kinds OF churches. One is simply at.
tractive. while the other Is aggressive. The
attractive church draws within its walls
persons suited by its teaching and, ser
vices, but the aggressive church goes out
into the highways and hedges. taking
with IL the message and machinery cal.
culatcd to- win back to the fold those
who had straycd away or carccssly kept
outside. The latter Is beyond doubt the
type OF church most in harmony with the
New Testament ideal. Ecclosiastical con.
yentions are In the habit of spending good
deal OF time and talk over 1.-THE secret of
winning the masses,' but in reality there IL
no secret about the matter. Ii was made
plain long ago In the instructions given by
our Lord To His disciples. "Go ye out
said He. Into the highways and hedges and
compel them to come in." Going out in.
variably leads to bringing In. The marvel.
Gus success Of the salvation Army In win.
ning the unchurched multiudes Is the re-.
suit OF its going out after them. When the
'hurch of Jesus Christ goes out after her
alicnated or Indifferent children with full
understanding of their needs and the open
hand OF hearty human fellowship
then-and not until then--will she
succeed In bringing them back.
Religious ind olence and selflshness are the
two great obstacles In the way of going out
after the lapsed masses in our day. Too
many protesting Christians content them
selves with the unworthy reflection that
there are plenty OF churches and mission
nails in every town, and that II people who
live within the sound of church bells 20 to
no place of worship. the fault Is their own.
Ihoy forget that the come from tho cold
iron throat ola church bell falls unhecded
on ears that would be- responsive 90 the
warm. loving. urgent "come" of Christian
sympathy. The Good Samaritan has no
need to get OIL his beast nowadays, and 20
to the wounded man whore he lies. Lcns,
OF all Is he required 10 go to the sensational
length Of giving up his own beast, and
trudging laboriOusly on foot lie satisfies
himself with the remembrance that the inn
II close by where the wounded stranger can
be attended to, and II H. his own fault IL he
does not go to Il. How the man IL to get
there, or whether he IL In too weakened
condition to walk To the friendly shelter,
does not agitate his mind. lie rides on his
way with the comfortable reflection that sC
much Il being done for that class of people.
Inc sting OF this sarcastic rendering of IN,
grand parable of philanthropy lies in it
truth. We have deputed to church bells and
mission agencies the work We ought to dc
ourselves. Nothing can be more opposed tC
the spirit and method Of Jesus Christ thar
the policy Of that church which has "a hand.
some building. luXuriously cushioned. ear.
peted aud curtained for It's richer adhercnts.
and Il cOntcnt to keep the poor ut arms
length In what II Is pleased to call its ''mis.
sion Equally fatuous is the decision OF
proirssed follower of Jesus Christ that
he does his duty by his brethren
wandering In the highways II he pays
subscription 10 home missions while h,
sits IN his church or Mt his Grcside IL
selfish and indOlent ense. The demon oi
sclshness must be driven out. and the only
way In which il can be- driven out IL hy the
eNpul~lve power Of "A new affection for souls. i
Tarrying nj the cross, the smouldering cm.
bers Of enthusiasm will leap up into the fir,
Dn the altar of our hearts. and we shall b, ,
urged 10y the irresistible coustraint of
Ghristlikc passion to
"Rescue the pcrishing. darr for tho dying,
Snatch them In pity from ain and the |
grave;
Weep DER tho erring one. lift up the fallen
Toll them Of Jesus, the mighty to save"