The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-11-10
OUR RELIGIOUS CONTEMPORARIES.

Referring to a recent fog, through. which
the editor drove, the Central Presbyter-
ian says:
It is commonly true
y LESSON that the things which
FROM THE FOG. are new and at their
beginning have more
or less of otscurity and uncertainty. Each
new enterprise is not wholly clear, and
we must drive cautiously. Each new study
opens the way into an unknown land, and
our thoughts move slowly. We wish to
be sure Of each truth we attain and We
pause frequently to reflect Each young
life goes through Il period of togsy. DAYS.
We are anxious that the boy MAJ not
miss the way, that he be not deceived
by errors that loom large by his Way51:.e,
and that he will come safely through to
the day when there is an open vision CT
truth and duty. Then his way VIII be
safe out into the sunny Gay of a s:r1nS
Christian manhood
Z The Christian life begins with short
vision Of faith and much uncertainty.
First steps are not always made With
confidence, and there is Vagueness of an
derstanding. Things are not seen in Just
relations nor is their true character clear
ly understood. One of the blind men
whose eyes Jesus opened first saw n.en
as trees walking" When Saul of rarsus
was called of Christ, he was blind, and
saw no man; but they led him by the
hand, and brought him into Damas us,
and there the scales fell from mis- eyes.
1t is the just man of whom it is written
that his light shineth more anu more
unto the perfect day.. over the green
fields of Paradise no fogs ever drift. Gnu
on the heavenly hills no mists ever rise.
The Rev. George G. Smith, of Georgia,
has not sounded the alarm moment too
soon:
Germany, lIol-
ABOUT RAIN land, F'r Il Ice,
BOW PULP1TEERS.'' Switzerland, New
En- Id, all
warn us against allowing rationai;;m 10
creep into our pulpits and our colleges.
As yet it has had little influence on the
great bo6y Of our preachers. and they
still preach the old-time religion; but
unless 1 am mistaken, there are not a
few preachers of culture among us even
who care more for Driver than they do for
Clarke. and who relish the Outlook. the
Christian Register. and the Independent
far more than they do the conservative
Advoca tes.
And this honest and brave minister
warns the church of the evil ahead. He
says:
..The preacher who accepts the methods
of the higher critics and, discr2d:.s the
Book our fathers revered as 1acalNOle,
that cares more for culture than psety.
is simply preparing the way for agnos-
ticisnl, and finally atheism. Churches
served by such men may be elegant, the
preachers may be well paid, but their
ministry will be fruitiess.
I Who are to blame for allowing this
80 !,
free from the vagaries of Dutch "scioI-
ars,'' befuddled with beer and smoke.
Let US keep clear of all such tesgy
guesses.
Discussing the sojournins of the Israel
ties in Egypt, the Religious Herald says:
whenever two peoples of widely offer
ent genius have
THE 1RREPRESSIBLE been thrown to-
RACE QUESTION. Gether in a COM
mon country,
history shows one of three solutions for
the race problem. Either amalg gam ,t,on
has resulted, with it's consequent losses
TO both; or the withdrawal or expulsion
Of the weaker, as occurred IN the cAC GUS
of Israel; or, finally, the determination
of one race in the unequal struggle for
existence, as in the case of the American
Indian is almost accomplished. IS 10
other solution possible? What :,eason
nave we. in the light of history, 20 Look
for any other? The reply is, We are not
saved by history. History IS DOGGY, Its
pages are black with shame. We have
an unused factor, never known among the
ancients and not yet adequately admitted
into the problen,-the teachings OF Jesus
Christ. we should have faith to believe
that a gospel of love has a solution not no,
vet reached. whereby widely different
races may live together without annals anna
nation determination. or expulsion. II
will be very difficult. But Christs gospel
was intended to do difficult Things. else
1T were worthless, When love snail nave nave
a distracted from the problem the clements
Of envy malice. and hate. and inserted
the new factors of fraternity and good
will, the remainder Will be Of ready so so.
luton