Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-02-02
! FOR SUNDAY READING.
All sorts OF Opinions.

New York Sum- both sizing up the re-
,igious condition of the world at the be-
ginning of this new century. Consider
ing that they appeared one in London
and the other in New York at about the
same time, it is remarkable they so we'll
agree on the present condition of relg
ious faith. 1t will seem neither article
offers any remedy for situation admit
1tably deplorable. Ed.l
RELIGIOUS FAITH AT THE OPEN
ING OF THE CENTURY
New York SUM-
The churches known as "evangelical"
are making a combined effort to dlstin-
gulsh the opening Of the new century by
a wave of religious enthusiasm like that
which swept over this country in the
eighteenth century under the impetus of
the preaching of Whitefield and Jona-
than Edwards and was repeated IN the
great awakening of 1857. 1t is an effort
upon which they will wisely expend
every energy. for 1t is not too much to
say that super natural religion is nov in,
more peril than ever before since man
was created or developed under evolu-
ton into the being he is. For very self
preservation these churches must over
come the enemy.
AT the time of the revivals of White
field and Edwards there was great de-
cline in religion. The generation which
succeeded the early Puritan settlers, or
more strictly perhaps, the second gener
alton after them, had Hen away large
" from the religious restraints of Their
fathers and in that arduous pioneer pc
Rod a moral laxity had come which
or, fi1lJ -t,s,re. ft,s
colonies religion had been brought into
frequent disrepute by the conduct of
both ministers and laymen. But relig-
was neglected., but not abandoned
When, therefore, appeals to that faith
we're made By Whitefield and Edwards
and the many revivalists of their school
and of the period which succeeded them
IN the first half of the last century 1t
was quickly revived and stirred to en-
sthusiastic expression. Then men OF
those days believed absolutely in the
E.ble as the word of God and in heaven,
II he'll, in everlasting retributon. bar
ring few deists, who, however, rela-
lively to the infidelity of this time, We're
religious believers.
Consequently our great American
churches. the Baptist, Methodist and
Presbyterian. together with the cognate
CONGREGATIONAL. We're built up rapidly
SlEd the influence exercised by their
ministry was everywhere profound. and
In continued undiminished. but rather
gaining in strength, up to period
which extended beyond the middle of
the last century. Religious faith in no
way diminished and the doctrines
Preached and conviction as to their
truth were unaltered. Even the rupture
between the Trinitarian and Unitarian
Gongergationalists Of New England in
1915 was not provoked by any denial oil.
slsepticism regarding the authority OF
scripture, for channing's reverence for
it was not less than that of his oppo-
nents.
When. therefore, business reverses
brought SORROW and humiliation in 1851
il was again easy to STIR UP Il religious
revival by directing mems thoughts and
Inspirations to the spiritual and heaven
iy compensations in which they still be-
l.eved without questioning; earthly
prosperity had merely cooled the ardoI
III their faith. The financial panic OF
ls57 became of a consequences to them
witch was insignificant as compared
with their passionate concern for the
eternal welfare of their souls. The sig
Eal event of that Year became the great
s.awakening. not the business revulsion.
!. III now, when the stock exchange and all
lsthe Exchanges of this market adjourn
az midday the brokers should hasten to
pra yer meetings to supplicate heaven to
pardon their sins, and If on the resump-
ltion of their business many of the NUM-
1 her should return with tear-s stained
faces to warn their fellows Of the ter
rcrs OF hell, the situation would Offer
4 some parallel to that of 1851.
I Is there any possibility of slAsh a repe-
lt.tion of the religious excitement Of the
great awakening? Since 1857 the whole
tone and character of religious thought
have changed. 1t is not exaggesatiig
| the fact to say that In the last quarter
eli the last century the very foundations
| Of religious faith were destroyed in tht
great mass OF the thoughtful minds OF
1.-The Protestant world and, as the case OF
/ the late Professor Aiiyart Indicated
we're shattered in those of many intellf-
gent Catholics. tho the pope makes
their preservation essential to salvation
The documentary authority on which
7Christian theology rests Is discreditec
even by theological authority The Bible
has been made a literature. OF human
ccmposltion and open to human crItl-
cisnl. The temporal rather than this
spiritual welfare of society is the end t.
| which fashionable current religious ac-
tivity is directed: philanthropy super,
sedes religion. The church has become
largely social institution appealing t.
tastes that are rather aesthetic than re.
llig ous. Presbyterianism reyolts agains
l.etribution. Great religious revivals
lhave practically ceased. Camp meetings
are turned into secular assemblages en-
couraged by real estate speculation.
Under such circumstances what is the
hope tina great revival of religion car
he stirred up? Where is the religious
faith to be revived? Religious conform:
Iity as a social convention there u.s. pu,
4 of genuine vital religious faith, how
much is there? The last century shoot
The foundation of Christian theology by
Icontending-a proving to the salts
faction of scientific standards-that SUI
Iernatural religion is no more than
| pigment of the superstitious human i'm
4 agination: and in place of faith Their,
has now come in at leas. doubt thru
out the Christian world, and in it tn,
pulpit and theological seminary share
nay. they oftentimes stimulate ans
Head IT..
The church, therefore. begins the new
century with an awful obstacle in tn,
/ yvay- nf tic prnprpSs ia ha ra,onvad Il,