The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-02-18
NEIN SPIRIT IS STIRRING
TWENTIETH CENTURY DESTINED
TO SEE IMPORTANT CHANGES
IN RELIGIOUS WORLD
BECOMING MORE TOLERANT
Time Will Come When Men VIII
Think Mere OF How to Live
and Less of What to
Relieve.
BECOMING MORE TOLERANT

Rev. A. n. Alcott preached about the
spirit of the twentieth century yesterday
afternoon at the Church of the Redeem
er. The text was, But can we not dis
cern the signs of the times?" Matthew,
xvi, 3. In part, the sermon follows:
While Jesus was once preaching his
new conception of God and of religion,
the Pharisees and the Sadducees asked
Him for a sign of some kind to show
them the truth of what He said The
Savior asked them to observe the signs
% the time. The whole world then
was pregnant with new ideas and great
events. The Romans were mighty and
their overshadowing influence was felt
by all. Old religions were being forgot
ten and new thoughts and new doctrines
we're being preached; in short, new
spirit seemed to be creeping over the
world. Jesus saw these things for He
as not a Savior alone. His statesman
eye could discern what others could not
and it was for this reason that He asked
the Pharisees and the Sadducees to OBJ
serve the signs of the times.
I'm all centuries there are signs of the
times. The twentieth century will wit
less changes in the religious world that
are already beginning to be foreseen by
mighty on this earth. One of the most
striking things evident to all at the
present time is that religious people are
becoming more tolerant of those who do
not believe just as they do. 'Isms' arc
losing their force and the word religion
is beginning to mean just what it should
/ firmly believe and many people over
the earth believe likewise, that the TWEEN
tieth century will be one Of the greatest
in the history of the world from re-
ligious point of view. The time will
come when the Universalist will not
push this doctrine forward, or the Cath y
lie that doctrine. The Baptist, the Con-
gregationalist, a member of any sect,
will not assert this or that. We, or
those who live after US, will not worry
about anything save leading a noble.
religious life. He is Baptist or
she is a Catholic will probably not be
heard and 'isms' will be dead forever.
'It may seem impossible for these
things to come about Many will doubt
whether they will come to pass, but
everyone knows that churches. like hui
man beings, must work out their deS-
TIMES. We all know that changes in re-
hgion come slowly and that there are
a thousand and one things which tend
to these changes. When the great time
has arrived for people to look upon re-
igion as it should be they will think
mere of how they live, not how they be-
lieVe This is our fault We believe
and are satisfied with that belief, but we
forget to live. righteous, Christian
life means much
ga rich man should not avoid paying
his taxes and thus put some of his
own burdens upon the backs of others.
Ii is not right. People who have money
should not lead wicked lives for that
reason, but it seems that many do.
Il have been much interested in the
Hamilton trial over in Minneapolis
do not wish to say anything for the de-
Tense or the state That is not in my
province, but it cannot go unnoticed that
there was something radically wrong in
the West hotel the night of the murder.
We hear that everyone was drunk. That
was bad and it went to show that GER
tain people were misHsing their money.
Drink has been the cause of more crimes
than anything else.
81 have also been much interested In
the doings of Mrs. Nation. Her battles
with the saloonkeepers in Kansas have
created excitement all over the country.
Things nave reached a stage now where
revenge is being sought on many sides.
Physical violence is something that ought
rot to be recognized, yet Mrs. Nation
has done a great and good work. The
state of Kansas ought to have its laws
enforced, and they probably will be be-
fore long.
1.-The signs of the times are beginning
to be noticed. People are looking for
freer religion. Many want to lead bet
ter lives and let their actions stand fe-
what they are The church will during
the coming century be the medium Of
the religion of all and all people will 60
to church to be taught how to live from
DAY to day, month to month, year to
year, birth to death"