The record-union., 1898-08-21

our conference nor wish to join one
! of our chuches. Any one who believes
in a God of cruelty and of wrath, and
who sympathizes with the idea that he
will cruelty punish the wicked forever.
would naturally be out OF place in one
of our churches. But a gentle. loving,
prayerful soul, who cannot as yet be-
lieve, because the Fathers face has
been hidden by false conceptions of
him, belongs naturally with those who
hold the faith which is desired. but as
yet not realized"
1T is not our wish to accuse others of
hypocrisy because they do not in all
respects live up TO their creed" says
the Christian Register" Unit) of
Boston. "On the contrary, it is our
firm persuasion that there is in the
church, on the whole, very little open
strenuous profession of things not act
ually believed. But we fear many peo-
pie are silent about their disbelief out
of regard for the peace of the church.
not seeing how religion itself is thereby
brought into disrepute. We may
grant that, so far as they personally are
concerned 1t is, at the worst, but a lit
tie fault If they seem to assent silently
to the preaching Of ideas which have
no meaning for them. But when peo-
pie are supposed to believe in everlast-
ing punishment, and yet do not show
that they have any realizing sense OF
the fearful implications of that belief,
the outside world is swift to draw the
conclusion that religion is only a play
thing without much serious bearing on
vol hok
all should have the courage of their
convictions. Either they should be-
lieve in an endless hell, and treat as
false prophets all who believe other
wise, or they should say boldly that
this conception is much too dreadful
TO be true To say that, If the creed
declares it, the minister must preach
it, comes far short of being satisfac-
tory settlement of the issue involved
Doubtless" says the New York
Outlook" the tendency once was
towards a religion almost wholly un-
practical; but doubtless in our time
there is tendency towards a religion
almost exclusively temporal and
earthly Religion is more than ethical
culture. 1t has more to give than bet
ter clothes better food, better sanitary
conditions, better bodies; ii has need,
therefore. of other instruments than
sewing soup-houses, and gym
nasiums 1t has more to teach than
how TO deal honestly with ones fellows,
serve honestly ones State, and act con-
siderately towards ones nearest neigh
Dor. 1t has need, therefore, of other
instruments than ethical lectures and
civic reform clubs. These modern in
struments are quite legitimate. and
even in localities, necessary. But this
is not the whole mission and message
of the church, nor yet its most impor-
tant ministry. Whatever may be
ones view of priesthood, it is certain
that no church will long retain it's pow
er in the community which does not be-
lieve that Almighty God, the Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ hath
given power and commandment 20 his
ministers to declare and pronounce to
his people, being penitent, the absolu-
ton and remission of their SINS"
While Christianity appeals to the
spiritual nature of the poor, it also ap-
peals to the spiritual nature of tie
rich" observes the New York Church
man" (P. E.). 1T is through the rich,
social inequalities and expressions of
the world are to be adjusted. Let those
who call themselves Christian Socialists
speak to the poor about the faults of
the poor, about the hope and faith of
the poor, and to the rich about the
faults. duties and privileges of the
rich. The religious feeling and convic-
ton which ara TO remedy whatever evil
appears in the present social condition
of the people must be reused in those
who employ labor, who possess capital.
who distribute wealth. 1t is absurd to
tell the hungry man that you know he
is hungry, that you feel for him, and
that you blame a certain class Of men
for his sufferings. But first of all state
the rights of the hungry to those who
have plenty: point out to them the
hitch in the social machinery which
causes this evil; appeal to the Christian
love of those who possess the power to-
make things right. If the spirit of
religion be avoked in both these classes
of men, social amelioration is sure to
fellow. To aspire after social ameliora-
tion by exciting class hatred is abhor-
rent to religion. Social amelioration,
il it could be obtained without religion,
would be- al mere pagan materialism."