The colored American., 1901-01-12

attainment, the affections parental, I'll
lal, and fraternal to their appropriate
objects, the aspirations and energies Of
thought to truth; the sense Of depend
ence TO the Greater aid preserver Of
men.
The church should know the envI'
rOnments Of the individuals Of the com
munity; the needs and effects of chart
ty, the reasons for certain plague sTOts
the best ways Of removing them. A
foresight Of the sphere Of action is very
helpful. United TO this thought is
cooperate obligation. The condition
of duty is to see or know it. KnowI'
edge comes by study and proper study
by planning A church rightly com
pretended Is not q sect but a union
striving for the ideal Of humanity. 1t
Is the highest attempt to elevate the
world in purity, charity and love 1t
should be indeed cooperative society.
While worship, instruction and soul
saving from death are it's well defined
functions it must more than ever EN-
phasize the saving of men in this world
and the creating Of new society IN
the earth. AS a body it should carry
no false cOlOrs. 1t should take no
doubtful Or compromising position in
should be right ana take high moral
grounds. 1t should not be moved by
! the follies of men or threats OF foes. 1t
should be ss the Savior directs q light
set up on q hill that can not be hid.
Thus standing 1t will be true to It's
great founder, the Lord Jesus and
meet It's obligation to the community
in which it stands
End The modern day church shOnld
be comprehensive in the sense of en-
| laTged plans 1t ought to take care of
its own poor. 1t may wisely open dor
csstries, gymuasiums, evening schools,
| training classes, domestic science de-
| partments, mems, boys and girls
clubs, penny savings bank, employ
ment exchange, mothers meetings,
reading rooms, choral society. lecture
| courses, etc.. all this and whatever
| else will make more prosperous and
| better members of The community. The
| church should be factor in society TO
cooperate in all wise efforts to improve
social conditions, to relieve poverty
and the sick, TO abolish intem perance,
tO promote education, to secure better
homes, wiser laws and more competent
administrators of government. The
chief work of the church in reforming
society is, however, Indirectly sending
! into it men and women instructed IN
principles of righteousness and inspired
by the spirit of Christ. The true church
embraces in its Thought, its prayers
and its sympathy net only the
whole OF man but the whole of man
kind, yea the whole world. Like the
Savior it would seek to save lost hu'
manity wherever found. It's watch
word is the great commission, "Go!
and when 1t can not go it would send
There are no boundary lines to its love-
Its sympathy Is as deep as human
want and as extensive as Is the spread
Humankind In other words 1t is real
missionary cbuTch. This spirit make
It's work easy and effectual at home Ol
abroad. Oh to have 8 spiritual birtt
and an active life iD such church!
Two remarkable facts are noted con
corning q recently organized church
Ist. At their first PRAYER meeting afte
formal organization IS OF the 19 NAL
members were present, indicating th'
earnestness of their devotion. But
more significant fact than this IL, tina
their first benevolent Offering was mad
} to the American Board Of F. NJ; thu
showing from the start that they IN
tended not to live unto themse}ves
The church that oste1s right mls
siOnaFy spirit must in the veTv Datur
of the case have that spirit reflected
all it's life and work
III. The modern day church shoul
! be progressive. 1st In its endeavc
for information. Ignorance nOwheI