The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-06-11

ana ASK nothing more, we ShOulQ nave
no excuse for our independent position.
But it is the something more which
is always asked in addition to the es-
sentials of religion which compels US
to stand by ourselves To be sure,
there are byways and passwords and
interviews by night for those who are
willing to conform in private and say
nothing in public. But one who lives
openly and acts according to his belief
is not tempted by the furtive advances
which are made by the sects. Organ
izing inclusively for protection against
sectarianisun is widely different from
organizing exclusively for the estab-
lishment Of sectarian differences"
1--WE are not among the pessimists,
says the Northwestern Christian Ad-
vocate' (Meth.) of Chicago, Ill. IN
some respects some of the churches
seem to be staggering a little, but we
are confident that they already are raj
lying again. All great REVEALS nave
been preceded by just such apparent
doubt and unreadiness. Mankind Is
hungering aus much as it ever has nun
gered Men need to be fed even IN
times when it appears that almost ali
food is adulterated. The people neeo
God even in times when tens Of thou
sands are following after many raise
gods and many falser men. Though 1t
be true that a. neglected Bible seems 10
have cut the foundations from beneath
divine founda tons, the hungering hu-
man heart recognizes Gods voice anu
restores authority and power to the
book which is being tossed about ana
scorned by mistaken men. While It
would be better if the march OF the
church were triumphant in every year
of her history, the record shows that
her advance has been in stages. III
vine triumph among sinners mas It's
eras and epochs Pentecost was glorl-
Gus. but the tarrying in Jerusalem nad
it's place in the plan. 1t Is possible tnat
the present time Of halting may relate
to improved methods and better under
higher enthusiasm and deep
er zeal among those who are to ad-
vance tomorrow"
1--WE have more than once in the past
drawn attention." says the Living
Church Up. E.) of Chicago, to the
illogical ad temporary basis upon Whlcn
those preachers stand who. place them
selves in this position (of secular
leeturer). Some have claimed pubic
attention by giving themselves to the
treatment of scientific subjects, not as
the facts of the higher ana
spiritual order, but as ends unto them-
selves. 1t is evident that il people
are made to understand that subjects
of this character are to be taken up
as the ordinary topics of the pulpit.
their interest in such subjects, as dealt
with by the average preacher. cannot
long be sustained. If they continue
to support a quasi-religious place OF
assembly, with all its attendant ex-
penses. they will be likely in the emo
to engage the service of men as lee
turers in science who are known to pc
experts in their respective departments.
But it is still more likely that the re-
suit of such a departure from the rune
ton of the preacher, as commonly I'M
derstood. will lead sooner or later 10
the dissolution of the religious organ
ization in which such methods have
come to prevail. 1t would be much
more economical to attend the lectures
of university of college Professors, who
NAV be prevailed upon, in considera-
ton of a reasonable addition to their
incomes, to devote some portion OF
Sunday to courses on scientific subjects
adapted to a promiscuous audience.
"a Christian has no right to a lux
ury which materializes him." says the
ongregationalist' of Boston. THE
one thing he is after is strength and
symmetry of spiritual life. If some
splendid picture of the holy mother or
of kneeling saint or of TRANSPORTED
Christ as it hangs upon his wall heart
ems him for the days work, makes him
more true and tender, than he has a
right to it if he can afford it. But If
he buys his pictures by the yard, sim
ply that he may tell his visitor how
much he paid for them, that luxury is
making him less rather than more Of
man, and is, therefore, baneful- A
Christian has no right to luxury
which isolates him from his fellow mer
Why is it not a good thing for a man
to spend six months in Europe and the
other six at home, giving generously
all the time to charity and doing many
good deeds in that portion of the year
when he is supposed to be at work?
Simply because such a program cuts
him off from the vast majority of his
fellow beings. Harm attaches to every
luxury which makes one less sensitive
to the tremendous struggle that is go
ino- on ALL about us. a struggle often
not for delicacies for the table or for
an occasional trip abroad, but strug-
gle for daily bread and for shelter at
night Whether or not Jesus owned
he identified Himself to the
uttermost with the average man and
the average mans problems