Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1901-01-18
More Morrill, Reflections.

More Morrill, Reflections.
1t is a question worthy the true
thinkers earnest study, whether it
ls or js not the un-American indus
trial conditions, that are undermin-
ing true Christianity at the pies-
ent time, and If it is, what is the
remedy. Forty and fifty years ago,
the rural districts had local ministers
who lived among them, each owned
farm OF his own in the majority of
instances, and earned his bread by
the sweat OF his brow, and at fire.
quent intervals preached to congre-
cation who knew by his daily life
that he had through ticket and
therefore put all conf1denc in his en-
deavors. In the fall OF the year
hundreds OF the earnest people would
gather at one common camping
ground, and for days and weeks
WOulC have what was called camp
meeting. They did not do this be-
cause they were excited, neither did
they do this to make money, but
they did it to save souls, and if the
old leaders OF Christianity in that
day could be awakened from their
long sleep and called back to earth
long enough to see the great change
that has taken place in the religious
world, they could not underst md the
cause, without first becoming ac-
quainted with the. changed indus
trial conditions.
We cannot only say that mans
inhumanity to man makes count
less thousands mourn, but we can
with truth say that the so-called
religious world OF today, sanction
and acquiesce in the cause.
The question is, was the Christian
ity OF forty and fifty years ago a
myth and have the modern methods
OF industry revealed this, and
brought about the change, or, are
the industrial conditions of the
present time so radically wrong hat
they carry with them to destruction
the teachings OF the New Testament?
Any argument that will uphold
the industrial conditions of today,
will uphold the present conditions of
Christianity and any argument
which will condemn one will con-
demn the other. >--.
The now much abused Grover
Cleveland said: 1T is not a theory
but a condition that confronts U.S."
The above is true of today and the
individual who does not lift his or
her voice according to the talents
that were given him. against it, will
not be worthy OF the Master. Some
will say: l do not understand what
this is all about; some will tell you
that we are still at war with Spain
and that we have all OF the Spani-
ards subdued except what were in
Philippine islands. Others will tell
you that we did not buy the Philip
pines and do not want them, and
that we are only there to destroy
their heathenish Christianity and
make them adopt 0nrs, and to build
up schOOlhouses and educate them.
Now, If this latter theory is correct,
it shows certainly that the religious
world has kept pace with the indus.
trial world, for the GOOD Book tells
US to go and preach the gospel to
every living creature but it does not
tell us to and shoot people. More
than three hundred years ago the
Catholic church sent men to the
Philippine islands to teach them.
The people OF these islands were
vicious at that time and not nearly
so enlightened as now. Those teach.
ers who were sent there went and
carried in one hand the cross, in The
other short extracts from the Holy
Bible, and held them up to them. In
many cases those missionaries were
murdered, but others were sent who
took their places and in that way
the Filipinos became civilized.
Now, if murder is prohibited by
natural or divine law, to individuals
why is it right for millions of men
although constituting good gov
ernment, but enacting unchristian
laws, to hire men to go and take ths
lives of their fellow men, who arf
creatures OF Gods creation, for any
real or imagined wrong?
G. GREELEY.
>-1-..4on Mooh1 Con