The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-17
Solving the Problems.

Upon the shore of the Red sea we are
confronted with these problems. We are
consciously insufficient. largely helpless,
and sorely perplexed. The solution of these
problems somewhere exists. else human
history will prove a stupendous failure.
What is it,? Negatively,
''F'irst-It is not intellectual culture This
is important, even imperative. Yet knowl-
edge may only increase the power to do
evil Brilliant men are often basilisks and
attract only to destroy. Literary gifts may
stimulate vice and give infamy renown.
The French Revolution originated when
scholarship was on the summit and learn
ing was flowing down the common walks
of life.
meet the necessities of our times. 1t also
has its sphere. 1t may advance secular in
terests, provide for physical needs. establish
better homes, make independent, self-re-
speeding and useful citizens. But industrial
education cannot cure INSTRUMENTATION, ar
rest viciousness. or terminate crime.
''Third-Civil law is inadequate. 1t may
restrain, but cannot regenerate. 1t may be
pr0jnytlactic, Ii is not a remedy. Whole
some law must be the expression of popu-
lar sentiment. and be supported by it, or
else 1t is a pillar of salt, or rope of sand.
neutrality-suspicious. may claim to have
with altruism in its endeavor to cure all
sorts of Ills but our hope rests on none
of these We believe with John Stewart
Mill that only a power external to man and
infinitely above him can give to the indi-
vidual and to communities upward
trend.
1.-The agency by which this is to be &C.
complished is the gospel of the Lord Jesus
Christ. The reasons are obvious:
"First-The gospel deals with the springs
of all action. The worlds PHILOSOPHERS and
all civil legislation are occupied with overt
acts and not with their sources. They may
restrain; they never conquer. But the gospel
energized by the Holy Ghost, works with
in, destroys the love of sin, substitutes in
ward grace. and thus corrects the outward
conduct; for out of the heart are the issues
of life and death. The solemn, imperative.
'Ye must be born again. will live until
time shall end.
'.Second-The gospel addresses itself to
the individual soul. Society is not regener-
ated I'm a mass. One by one we are rescued
from sin. Whatever does not contemplate
this fact will fail. The gospel begins with
the unit and extending its influences leavens
the whole lump. Thus 1t proposes to cor
rect moral evil, to advance the public good.
and solve. as 1t certainly will. all the
problems that shall arise as the ages go on.
"Third-Human experience declares the
same. The worlds religions have lacked
the Interpretation and vitality of a faultless
model. The mightiest intellects have adj
mitted their impotency to conquer sin and
liberate the race from its woe. The great
Justin Martyr, who represents a countless
multitude, experienced the dawning of an
uplifting life only when he turned away
from all products of mere human intelli-
gence. and met the personal Christ on the
beach Of Aegean sea-"
SAVING POWER OF THE GOSPEL.
"Fourth-All history declares the saving
power of the gospel. The witnesses are
found at the Five Points and along the
Water streets of our great cities. in
Hawaii. in Madagascar, among the Laos
and wherever the cross has been lifted 1t
was this that exalted the Anglo-Saxon
race above the Latins; that converted saw
ages into saints: that put out the fires Of
Druid affairs and erected peaceful sane
tuaries amid primeval woods; that ban
ished Wodon and Thor and gave suprem-
acy TO Jesus Christ. There is not an in
stance fri all history OF nation elevated.
enfranchised. saved without the gospel of
Christ. and this only can penetrate benefi-
cent government. Believing this. Christian
nations hold In one hand the worlds scep-
ter and with the other cling to the cross.
Only when we link being 10 the uni
versal throne can we live In harmony with
our destiny solve the problems of existence
and advance human history toward that
zone far-off divine event
To which the whole creation moves
Thus IL is shown that the gospel Is the
worlds only hope, and when its principles
are accepted the personal and social enig-
mas which now perplex US Will be solved.
Here observe:
.'First-This gospel must be preached In
/ its purity and entirety and in the power
| OF the Holy Ghost. This includes the great
/ fact OF sin. its eternal consequences and
| salvation by the cross alone. New methods
| may be admitted. but the everlasting gos-
| pei must be the theme What souls need