The Newtown bee., 1900-07-13

be on our guard against any leader with
such mental and financial ability to WELD
the livelihood OF a thousand families land
who may at will levy tax on every OIL
burning home in the land, accelaratine
the roll OF that power which grinds them
down.
This is no effort at a deep analysis of
conditions but simply the desire to point
out that our vast increase Of wealth is
merely power-power, Pagan or Chris
tian; opportunity to serve the public or
to tax 1t. Which shall it be?
Nor are the higher taste in art, the
better educational facilities necessarily
tokens OF the coming of the kingdom of
God. The eyes of all artists rest on
Phidias the Greek, whose grapes appear
ed so real that the birds sought to pluck
them from the canvas. No educator sur
passes Plato in brain power. But both
these eminent men were at the same time
products and champions Of that civiliza-
ton which demanded that three-fourths
OF the people be ground down in slavery
that few choice men could enjoy
leisure. In themselves, culture, educa-
ton, art have no moral power. They
are simply opportunity, talent whose
good or ILL depends on the motive of the
soul which utilities them. A devil be-
comes more Gendish through large brain
power and not less ugly hearted because
he dresses in silks.
NOR CAN WE FIND THE KINGDOM OF GOD
in the mere number of churches. II their
members are not cured Of greed and self
seeking, of pride and .clannishness-if
Wall street and Third avenue cannot
meet on an eq uality in the house of God
there is no moral power in the churches.
No institution, however worthy it's theo-
retical aim, can be called the instrument
OF God which does not have a work of
love.
Let us not then look for the kingdom
OF God IN railway, telephone, business
facilities, In increased trade-all these
things we see-but direct our Inquiry to
the state Of the human heart which ia
without observation. Are there Justice,
sympathy, friendliness, interest, real
generosity. the spirit Of service, love to
nan, love to the heavenly Father That
is the prime question. For whether q
man live on Fifth Avenue or on the Bow.
cry, that is what he needs and what we
seek-the intelligent heart of love. The
man with silks, selfish, js pauper. The
rags that clothe q heart of love wran
about prince.
And 1t Is just this new spirit that graf
Ines the Christian. When were orphan.
ages and asylums so PLENTIFUL Do not
overlook the new interest for the GRIM
inal--not to wreak vengeance but to re- |
claim him. As never before are business
interests, even monopoliea, recognized to |
be Tor the service Of the people-snd q |
Thousand business leaders are seeking to
transform the competitive method by the |
spirit OF cooperation. The fact Of vast
Drotherhoods -social, even religious-is
based on the increasingly felt presence OF |
common ties and interests. Public of.
ncers are not more venal, but more pure
than 100 years ago. And the churches
nave real sympathy for the needy, for
tne degraded, an interest In one another
tnat never in the history Of the world
mas been 80 broad and seldom 90 deep.
Not even the Apostolic church Of Peter
and James could work for the heather az
modern disciples do. And such an cen
menical conference has been an impossi-
oiilty heretofore. And here do We find
me real Eower that Is to make these
mighty engines OF wealth and politics
forces Tor sgood-by permeating them
With the spirit Of service for man and
[or God. This spirit must redeem the
Irresponsible and selflsh. It Ii the power
mat 10 the wonderful march Of cIviliza-
ion IL to make that civilization the
'phere Of justice, general happiness good |.
ceiling. In this life that works without
do we lind the real kinedom
= God. Because Through Him Il can
'ecome the dominating power that robs
VII Of its sting and transmutes selfish ,
less Into the gold o. love il there rationa1
'asia Of hope Tor the future hone an
nnsiastic, jubilant. How then
AN w BEsr PRoEoEn THE ooMrNo ID
TIE xInaDQlk All con
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