The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-07-15
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION AS
ONE WAY OF SALVATION.
The Reverend Howard s. Mac.
Ayeal Tells of the Evils Which
Aff1ict Mankind.

The Reverend Howard 8. MacAyeal. CO.
pastor OF Pilgrim Congregational Church.
yanon, taking for his text Genesis Kill. l3:
But the men Of Sodom were wicked and
sinners .sas. before the Lord ord exceedingly" A.
Ezekiel xvi, Al lp part. he said:
Sodom has gained the sad distinction
OF standing for eyn 30 great and hideous
text, however. which is used as side
light. reveals to US a very commonplace
phase Of social life. and one which steadily
repeats Itself in the enlargeme OF privi-
iege during the prosperous days Of a ma
tons life. There thus comes into our text
a phase OF life which can never be passed
by save at the peril OF definite and large
Perhaps we have seen few ages when
the accumulations have been SO plentiful as
to-day: Accommodations which in themselves
are beneficial, but upon which We may not
depend for the salvation OF the Individual
or the state. At the same time 1t is noto-
rious that q widespread feeling of future
the moral as wen as the physical man, has
taken possession in large spheres of life
OF our people. and that this feeling has its
roots IN the blessings that have to do large
sessions that mark the hour.
Seldom had wealth. and we may not
doubt that her idle classes stood for a cer-
conditions mentioned by Ezekiel wrought
their legitimate result We may thus lind
grave reasons for careful study Of the
great facts that have to do with the sal
walton OF men. and IT Is worth while to look
at the sanative and saving power of the
various possessions at hand. possessions up
OF themselves and their fellows.
Should ask the question: Is II possible
to be saved by the use of remedies otherwise
than those provided in the great plan Of
redemptionr the feply from age after age
would be. No; look at the sacrificiai Gus
toms Of the whole world Expiation by
way Of substitution 10 the genius of sacri-
the genius OF religion. most eminently Wit
messed In the religion Of Jesus Christ. We
are. however. untrue to the instincts Of the
Thus men try again and again to substitute
some other remedial agency Tor the cure of
sin; and 1t would appear that the days of
Power pow when .s, We stand possessed Of wealth
temptation. To-day We are presenting sew
eral things as the means FOR curing the
evils which affict the race. The first Of
these ie the panacea OF education. This
presupposes that sin Is isnorance-sirnply
an error, resulting from lack OF KNOWLEDGE
Then Solomon ought not to have sinned and
have marred a life like that of David. The
fact is that Christian education does pro.
duce' result in the line Of Righteousness, but
mean the cultivation Of the higher life With
in the soul. Lecky CIistory of European
Morals) says: IT is one of the piainest facts
tuEt ucItucf Tie lnulElQudlS nor the ages
that have been the most distinguished Tor
Intellectual achievements have been the
most distinguished for moral excellence. and
q higher intellectual and material ciyilixa-
ton has often coe1isted with much de-
pravity.'
"a very pertinent fact Is recently pub
Hshed in connection with the decrease Of
candidates for the ministry. We are all
aware OF the standardization OF our school
system. Well. out OF 2000 candidates for
the ministry In our seminaries to-day, only
Ito come from the schools and colleges out
side the circle defined as Christian or de-
nomina tional schools. The facts speak for
fields Of literature. We ind there the great
names. such as Hardy. Ward. etc, feeding
the public with tales OF domestic intrigue
the glamour Of splendid genius. II you viii,
but still unfit for pure souls to read. No.
education and educational development can
not bring the soul OF themselves into touch
with the great at veri nI Of saving grace.
fining power Of wealth. with It's attendant
culture and aestheticism. Here history has
but enc message for us. Farrar, ia his
Seekers After God: tells us this: Never.
where the worst forms Of Wfckedness were
practiced with more unbfushtng effrontery
than In the city of Rome. and under the
corruption seemed to have fastened on the
very vitals OF the national existence. It il
surely a lesson OF deep moral significance
! that Just as they became. most polished In
manner In fact, ali history has shown
that the refinements OF civili1a ton are e
ways In direct relation With forgetfulness
Of God. The history Of New York, Chicago.
and to-day IN Phsisdelpnia. T. Witness e
IN the midst Of tropical life, with It's nat
ural beauty and wealth. rather than In the
cold ana 6axrsk North. that man has been