The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-01
Non-or.hodox Christianity.

1t is reported that most idyllic condi-
tion of things exists in Marion, Indiana A
groceryraan in that town has determined
to conduct his business on the Sheldon
plan, and considers that In order to do
this he must allow his customers to wait
on themselves, without supervision. and
that he must not deliver goods which
he thinks tend TO encourage laziness
He keeps no books and never sells on
credit.
This must he regarded as one Of the
phenomena which indicate certain tend
ency of thought in these days. Although
the merchant in question does business
on such an ultra religious basis, he is
not a member of any church, and the
reason which he gives for this is as fol-
lows:
Il have often been asked TO Join a church
and TO identity myself in the work of that
church. Until all conflicting creeds are ABOLISH
ed. and ali denominations are united, the world
viii not have reached the place destined for il by
the Creator. II Is hard 10 refuse these people
but stil / think that ] owe it 10 them as well
myself to tell them the truth and to point
out tile defects in their creeds. When / End q
church that asks that a do as Jesus would
DO, and more, then | will become a member
of that church"
This is significant. The man in ques-
tion may be a crank. But he is un-
1uestionably an honest crank. He has an
honest dissatisfaction with existing re-
iigious organizations. and prefers TO sep
arate himself from them and live his own
life according to his own conscience This
is the tendency of thought which is par
ticularly marked among intelligent and
earnest philanthropists in these days.
II may be said that the churches Of to-
day DO ask their commandments to follow
the example of Christ, and no more. But
do they? Consider the life of the average
church. and the demands which ii makes
upon Young man or woman anxious to
live a conscientious life. Theoretically all
that is necessary is an earnest desire TO
do right. Practically, what is the state
OF the case7
The young man expresses desire TO
join the church. and this is encouraged.
The first consequence of his doing SO is
that he is invited 10 join all of the church
societies, two-thirds of which are simply
social clubs. He is asked to contribute
money for the social gatherings of the
Christian Endeavor Society. for the cur
rent expenses of the church. for various
charitable and religious undertakings. He
may or may not be in sympathy with
these: he must contribute, or be consid-
cred mean. He may, possibly, have de-
mands upon his time strength and money
which do not allow him to enter into all
this semi-social life, but If he does not,
he cannot really he considered a good
church member. The same is true to a
greater extent of the woman who joins
the church Is there anything in all this
social life which Christ would regard as
essential?
II a member of one Of these churches
happens to fan into sin, the course of the
other members tends directly toward
ostracism. The world outside the churches
is not harder or colder toward a sin
ming acquaintance than the society OF &C.
clesiasticism. What is more. mere pow
erty bars people out of the social life of
the church. Are these things as the mas
ter of Christendom would have them?
The man or woman who. without TAX
ing thought for self. spends money freely,
as 1t is needed for the good of others. re-
ceives from the strictly orthodox, as a
rule, condemnation and disapproval as a
person too imprudent to be encourag ed
Is this according to the teachings OF
Christ?
II is not the unbelef of modern days
which weakens the churches 1t IL the
Inconsistency which thinking people in
stinctiveiy feel between their practice
and the teachings Of their great founder
So long those who profess to follow
one who was friend of pubiicans and
sinners themselves draw their skirts
aside OF the least suspicion of sin in an
acquaintance, when the sin is OF GER
tain order. there can be little consistency
in their belief SO long as these same peo-