The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-01-18


follower OF Richard Wagner, II you prsc-
tice his compositions. dmire his methods,
adhere to his principles, and advocate his
fundamental proposition tina. the object
OF music 10 only realized when 1t is the
exponent of poetry, even though In
such other matters as mis- dislike Of
melody and his opinion that instrumental
music Is practically dead, you may think
him mistaken.
You will, IL you are q biologist, be
reckoned a staunch ana unimpeac ha BILE
follower of Darwin IL you hold to his
general law that the marvellous variety Of
kinds among birds, beasts and fishes, is
and that the most complex forms of life
have been evolved gradually out Of the
sim plest beginnings. Everyone will. ]
say, acknowledge you to ne a follower OF
the famous naturalist if you adhere to
these leading principles, no matter how
you differ. from Darwin on minor points
such as his denfiition OF conscience or
his strangely narrow estimate Of the
value OF poetry.
Again no one will dispute that you are
y disciple OF Charles Wesley IL you main
tain his doctrine of free grace and agree
with the general teschipe Of that great
and good mans sermons, although you
may utterly dsbelieve many OF the stories
told about him by his various biogra pliers.
Now l submit thar what Is rcasons BILE
IN one case 10 reasonable in another. III
holding TO the general views concern ing
harmony, Instrumentation, and the end
and aim CT music set forth by Wagner,
makes you his follower, IL believing in
natural selection and evolution consti
tutos you follower Of Darwin, and ad-
hesion to the leading doctrine of Method
ism esta bishes you as an unquestioned
follower OF Wesley, then, living and
acting IN harmony with the esentiai prin-
ciples taught by the Carpenter Of Nag
ereth makes you q disciple and follower
OF Jesus, even though you may never
have signed, subscribed, or set your seal
to any creed. confession. or article of re-
ligion about Jesus.
Ihe test OF loyal follower of Christ is
not, therefore, does he believe every
thing Jesus is reported to have said and
done, or mas be given in his adhesion to
the crseds OF any particular church but
does he try to guide his life in harmony
with the essential principles laid down
by the Founder of Christianity?
One step further: 10 accept Christ's
lead adership and to become His loyal fol-
lower in the sense have described Is
the most valid of all clsims to the title of
Christian.
merriam; you call a follower of Darwin
a Dsrwinian you call follower of Wesley
q Wesleyan; and Oh the same ground of
reason and common sense / claim that
you are bound 10 call follower of Christ
q Christian.
man may hold with regsrd to the nature
of Christ, bis work and office, with re-
gsr1 to the Bioie, to apostolic succession,
or to the church--whatcver opinions he
nolds on these points, to whatever de-
he may belong, he is a Chris
tiap In the true sense OF the word, II he
10 a follower of Christ-it he accepts
Chist's leadership in the sense OF trying
to live in Christ's spirit.
What 10 Chrisi's spirit? Cap.it be sum-
med up in single phrase that will dwell
easily and clearly in the memory? There
Is no doubt about 1t. The essential spirit of
Jesus CLEANS like ray of light through
all His words and deeds. 1t Dreathes
In His every act from the first resolve 10
give up His own business that He might
the more strenuously devote Himself to
His Heavenly Fathers ;. business, to His
last committal Of His wesried but uncon-
quered soul in His Fathers hands. 1t is
heard among His words upon the Mount:
q Blessed are the merciful" "Blessed are
they that hunger and thirst after right
sousnessn; "Blessed are the peace
makers"; "Love your enemies, pray for
hem that persecute you." 1t shines forth
In the para bles of the Good Samaritan
and Prodigsl Son In His injunction to the
in His conversation with those
no questioned Him: 81 GEEK not my
own will but the will of the Father"-
my meat is to do the will of Him that
sent ms"; in His prayers-"Now is my
,oul trout bled; and what shall / say?
Fat her, save me from this hour? But
Tor this cause csme ] unto this hour.
Father, glorify 1hy name.".. 1t is plainly
evident in tho commandments, which He
more than once declared to be supreme and
20 contain what was essential in the
" hole law and all the prophets.
Jesus may have left behind him no sys-
en- -of theology, but His fundamental
principles are clear and unmistakable.
Every one will agree that they are Love
% God, and Love to Man. Everyone will
Igree that these words represent the spirit
u the Masters teachings. And he who
strives to the best OF his ability to carry
,ut this spirit, to love God and his fell
owmen, 4. a Christian in the very best
md highest sense.
Indeed nil religion is summed up in these
words. Love God and your neig nbor aud
'ou shall have eternal life, Jesus said