The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-07-01

which was lost Thus, the Christian must
seek man where and when he needs him.
His mission sends him out to- the hungry.
thirsty. sick. prisoner and stranger. under
an imperative command of his Master. To
omit this is to be both unlike Christ and
disobedient to his requirements. It has also
good philosophy on its side, for such heart
doors ever stand ajar for the coming OF
such messengers. and they are assured OF q
welcome.
I'm this manner Christ makes the race
one In all of its diversified composition.
Man has divided It into classes and castes
from one s another. Those not s SO fortunate
as himself he has been disposed to ignore
and count out Of his world. With Christ
epce. With man. misfortune is under ban.
while sin is often condoned and fellow
SHIPPED. Christ reverses mans order and in
Is not
cannot be suptnely passive, but must be In
tensely active. One has said: Under Moses
ne who did no evil was a good man. Under
Christ In the text. simply charges mac
tion..Ye gave me no meat We cannot
satisfy ourselves by refraining from certain
obligations to be engaged in doing certain
other commendable things. Here is q vital
consideration for the Christian church. Ma
intrenchments Is beaten Christ said: mas
much AZ We did It not to one Of the least Of
fnsse; . ys did 1t not to me- The church of
OAAASe AOAASASS AS right 10 MS favor anu
acceptance unless she shall iii her hands
with loving services for humanity.
IN such labors. two dangers arise. The
suffer from the imposter seeking only the
loaves. Christ met this very difficulty in
his time but still continued his course Of be-
slowing blessings indiscriminately on the
multitudes. The seriousness OF this danger
rs OFTEN overdrawn. Even the abuse of low
ing mfnistrations may be followed by last
ing good to the persons abusing them. There
mn oufn En- ,Arlr HA1r
the church mans best human friend. Some
WIN abuse her love but others will revere
her and accept her truths and grace. The
ciaily authorised workers the church shall
delegate all Of this work of ministration. We
all need the reflex influence Of personal par
itors, pastors and others I'LL important
places in the working forces Of church
but t, must not take the place Of the individ-
ployed is enriched but il that employment
be omitted 1t IL Impoverished.
Our thesis, then, is this: The Christian
church must ever minister as the worlds
appears az a mendicant. Her representatives
daily present themselves with subscription
paper in hand and pathetically appeal for
contributions. She poses as q great beggar
but is not 80 much in evidence as a real
contributor to the common good. This
breeds contempt with very many. who see
in some directions is effectually blocked
thereby. Whereas in her true function she
has much more to give to men, than she
asks from them. Christ and the early
Christians were more noted for what they
did and gave than for what they asked. The
church Of to-day IL, to say the least, In
ttations for help than from her substantial
benefits conferred.
"Her legitimate field Is q large one. TIL,
charities need and look to her. Hospitals
homes. refugees asylums and the like ar,
in her direct line. Loving ninistrations o.
visitation, nursing, consolation. advice ant
help are Just suited to her spirit. As teach
err in schools and homes hec opportunities
are boundless. It is her mission to put int,
society a leaven that shall permeate
from the lower to the upper crust AS .
manifesting itself Above all, her mora
uplift to society in its every branch and in
dfyidual are worth more to the world man!
times over than the paltry sum requires
for her maintenance. 1t remains for her t,
80 multiply and make effective her ministra
lions az that the people generally shall
look upon her as the Indispensable force she
Is designed to be. Appreciation Of her vii
be on this basis. In this utilitarian worl'
reverence and esteem are In proportion Z
actual utility. Il Is possible for her to be
that an shall recognize her great worth
| Instead Of pleading for Z chance to live AM
work. men will press their gifts Into he
| hands and throw open wide the doors &
their hearts The day Of Chrlsts popula
ministry will be repeated when the maBse
and not the few fioceed to hear the trutl
| and secure his blessing. II We. make tn
church Of Christ manifestly worth lovine
| the people will not fail to love her,