The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-01-21
WHAT The CHURCHES CAN ACCOMPLISH.
Written for the St. Paul Globe by the Late Rev.
C. L. Owen, Phi. D., D. D. a4

nor be held responsible for it, though
they may do much to supplement it when
1t is deficient and bring an. intelligent
and moral influence to bear upon munic-
ipal affairs when it is needed.
Intelligent church people are naturally
and deeply interested in all good work
in government In santa ton, in all kinds
of Improvement in education, in all forms
of charity and In whatever makes for
the elevation and welfare of the people
But churches are not organized especially
to undertake this work. Their influence
will be felt in it all, but their direct ac-
ton is in another sphere. sy
Churches ought to keep out Of politics.
AS such they ought not to be held re-
sponsible for the settlement of the tenn
perance question, or the financial ques-
ton, or the question of the competitive
system, or the problem of poverty.
Churches must not protest too much,
nor pass too many resolutions, nor circu-
late too many petitions, nor imagine that
they are doing something great because
they are so earnest and SO busy. But
church people can undertake what
churches cannot, just as a scholar can
try to do what he ought not to ask his
university to do, or man may attempt
what has family may not 49,,
But what can the churches do? Not
less than they have attempted or Wished
to do, but a great deal more they can
create ideals. They can mold men. They
can generate influence. They can fit peo-
pie to successfully undertake every form
of good work. They work with truth.
with sentiments, with life in it's deepest
parts, with the human heart In
its most serious and unselfsh mo-
ments, and the ideas they cam make
impressive and the ethical aims which
they can render effective, when they are
true to their opportunities, will be more
influential and helpful than any eoutward
work to which their energy might be di-
rected.
| Two years ago was In a town Of ten
| thousand people. Only six families could
| be found there to whom charity could be
! given. said to some church people
| there: ''If your church could have sent
! out a hundred Christmas dinners today
| you would have thought that you were
| doing a great work. Has not your church
| done far greater work in helping to
bring about a condition in which these
hundreds of families are able to get their
! own dinners all the year?"
! The work of the churches for the COM
| ing year which will be of most benefit
| to the city and people will be for the
| churches to bear real and constant wit
| ness in thoughts and actions to truth; to
| discard from profession or practice al
subterfuge pretense and unreality; to
seek to win and to deserve the confidence
| of all the people in the integrity of their
| character and the genuineness Of their re-
ligious life; to keep themselves always In
touch with reality and their eyes ever
| open to the highest aims; to truly be-
! lieve and clearly teach human brother
| hood and divine fatherhood, and to cultl-
vate without ceasing the spirit Of Jesus
| Christ
The greatest needs of men are not ma
| terial, but mental, ethical, spiritual. The
| churches are specially designed, and II
! is their function to help US to much OF
| the best. They can commend to US the
| affirmations of our own souls and make
truth, duty and goodness more real and
| moro commanding. e2ls
&c. l.. Diven, Phi. DID. D.