Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-05-25
CHRISTIANITY A NEW SOCIAL
ORDER


II need but appeal to the ripest books
of orthodox scholarship to prove that
the kingdom of Cod as Jesus conceived
ations of which at least were on earth
and for the earth.
II do not wonder that certain ele-
ments in the community pine for the
old gospel of the first century when
there is any vigorous attempt to bring
that gospel down to date and to test
the life of the twentieth century by the
golden rule and the sermon on the
Olympian games, but the modern
preacher goes afar of the gospel field If
he has any illusions to card playing,
golf or foot ball.
IF there be any traditional sin inner
tied from Adam. some ritualistic vio-
lence for which we ourselves are not
personally responsible. it may be that
some kind of commercial transaction
on the cross between the members of the
Godhead may have wiped off the score,
but your personal shortcomings and
mine, the ethical violation of the laws
of life and of nature. are not thus expi-
ated. Ii is only by nurture and disci-
Piiiitt ny eiAoit, AIS'iutiil ldiluISS anu
renewed trials that nobility of character
lis attained, and in this work there is
need of all the helps of all the ages.
II count eight churches dedicated to
the gospel within gunshot of this place.
having eight ministers consecrated to
gospel preaching and eight congrega-
tlons proud of their preachers their
churches and / heir gospel utterances,
consultations of the gospel, and still
ever there. at Cottage Grove avenue and.
Thirty-ninth street, has sprung up a
tenderloin territory second in degrade
I ton and iniquity only to the abandoned
city"
| IMPROVEMENT OF PROTESTANT
CHURCH SERVICE.
! William Henry Sherman in New York
independently
From Catholic point OF view the re-
| ligious service IN Protestant churches
needs Improvement. This service could
4 he improved in four important partieu-
4 lars without disturbing doctrine or doc
/ trinal traditions. The changes about to
he suggested will require no upsetting
! u dogma or revision of creed; for they
/ pertain solely to church music. the style
and matter Of preaching, the conduct eft
worshipers in church. the interior deco
i ration of the churches.
First of all. the hymn book This needs
4 a thorough reformation. Fully 80 per
cent of the hymns included in the aver
age Protestant hymn book could be-
omitted without loss: for they reveal
4 little poetical insight and less spiritual
4 Inspiration. And. then. the music SO
often of high order in Protestant
churches. is beginning to be debased by
the airs OF the opera: the theater can not
supply fitting ideal for either singers
or preachers in the house of God. II is
no answer to say that some Catholic
1, choirs are falling into the same error.
The point is to admit the mistake.
II The style and matter of preaching
could be greatly improved in many Pro-
testant churches The sunday sermon
in many churches needs to be born
again of the spirit of the gospel. The
devil of sensatlonalism should be exor-
cised from every Protestant pulpit The
4 gospel of Jesus Christ is what every de-
Il yout Christian expects TO near in church.
rot the latest political, social or literary
I fad The gospel alone, as preached by a
Il Moody or a Spurgeon-the word of God
unaccompanied by any pyrotechnlcs-is
the highest ideal for any Christian
Il preacher. and is sufficiently attractive
Il for ali VINO are Christian IN fac; as we'll
as in name. Christ commissioned his
ministers TO preach the gospel, not poll
tics. or war. or literature; and congrc-
cations everywhere ask for that spirltu-
al bread. they should not receive a
stone. The sermon should deal with the
II gospel: in Catholic churches Ii always
deals with the gospel of the Sunday
II The conduct of worshipers in Protest
ant churches might be improved. Why
not observe a reverential silence? 1t is
true that Protestants do not believe IN
the Real Presence; but they do believe
that while attending divince service they
are in the house of God. The write,
once attended a Protestant church in
Philadelphia. occupied an ordinary pew,
Z and was Immediately the cynosure of a
hundred eyes, mostly feminine. Prayer
and recollection and sense of rever-
ence ought to keep the tongue quiet and
the eye at home in any church. Catho-
lies examine their conscences on this
point-their behavior IN church and in
/ the presence of God. Professionals could
do likewise and improve their church.
service
Finally, the interior decoration of Pro-
testant churches is not what ii ought
to be. A commercial house contains the
symbols of trade: a court house The
i symbols of law; the house of God should
contain the symbols of religion; and
these symbols should be so numerous
and prominent as to give to the building
4 religious air or atmosphere. The arts
that appeal to the eye--paintlng and
sculpture--are not the exclusive adjunct
or possession of Catholicism. The vital
truths OF Christianity could. by means
OF these arts. be concretely represented
without giving offense 10 the members
Of any religious denomination; end rever-