Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-03-02
sINIPOTENC'Y OF THE CHURCHES.
IJoseph Parker in February Homi-

OF THE CHURCHES.
IJoseph Parker in February Homi-
letic Ikeview.l
am not sorry that the editors of this
review have made 1t part of their eds
torIal plan for 1901 hat yvos ah,i,ia s..-.-s
an opportunity of seeing all the church,
es of Christ in their most discouraging
aspects. To know ourselves diseased is
half the cure. We shall make no true
progress In the direction of health and
efficient energy until we get to know
how truly impotent the churches have.
lin many cases. allowed themselves to
become. The churches are in danger of
losing their distinctiveness as Christian
institutions. They are becoming clubs,
recreation grounds, mutual entertain
ment societies and the like. Our ances-s
tors used to speak of Christian COM
munions as gathered churches. do
rot even object TO the word "separat-
lists. IL it be the outcome of self
mortifying and self-humblng temper. /
eenounce everything merely pcdantic in
ecclesiastical arrangements and titles,
but am neither afraid nor ashamed of
the word separatist, so long as it car
iies with 1T the sacred meaning of the
New Testament word sanctified. 1t
would seem to me that the time has
come when, by q Worldwide deciara-
ton on the part of Christians. organized
churches should take a new start. We
should resolve that the churches of
Christ humble themselves before God,
repent of much in their own history.
land ask God to permit them to begin de
caS all iSan t,1
dents and putting forth trembling hands
to the holy work OF sacrifice and testi-
llnony. We must get back as far as pos
sible, even under pain of suffering much
decentralization and pubic scorn. Our
conduct has been so faulty that we have
| ii many instances made shameful ship
wreck of faith. Christ's house was in
tended to be a house OF prayer, but we
have turned 1t into den of definitions
and a menageric of denominations
Nor are such shortcomings to be made
lup by the toy efforts which some people
are so fond of multiplying. Anything
rev is sprung at with avidity, no mat
ter how much may be cast off which has
been proved to be Of solid worth. Only
get UP a new society. a new scheme,
new toy of any kind, and like every
ouack medicine in the world, 1T will be
loaded with testimonials We have
| lands. and guilds, and rings. and fell
| lowships out OF count. Under wise ard
critical control each may be able TO do
IL useful work. l am, however, i'll favor
cf transformations, perseverine and de-
vout labor for Christ. do not measure
SUCCESS by statistics. I pray God thai
| the churches may never make an Idol
of numbers. The crowd for excitement
/ hut the the two or three for living
loving. heightening communion with the
mystical Presence! 1 do not know tina,
Jesus Christ ever contemplated a drum
land brass band as one of the agencies
for arousing revival in His church
Nor am aware that the Saviour eyel
Imposed an elaborate and artistic ritual
Upon his disciples In the Old Tesla
lnlent do read of trumpets and cymbals
and organs. but in the New Testament
i read of a simpler ritual: And wher
they had sung hymn they went OUT
Jesus to the mount of Olives, to the
/ fresh air, and to the symbolic sunshine
4 We can not make up for shortcomings
by the multiplication OF mechanical APP
/ pliances We are not deficient in ma
| cli!nery, we are deficient In dynamic
force.
do not for a moment question tn,
! Importance of theological and ecclesi.
j astical questions. but we must no
throw them out of perspective ant
make them occasions for hindering tn,
very gospel which they are Intended, b,
their very name, to propagate and pro
claim thruout the world. Let Chris
tians come to know that in the matter
OF drunkenness, gambling, prostitution
4 aud insidious attempts to wreck Til,
4 Bible. the sanctuary. the sabbath. ans