The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-01-06
SIGNS OF THE TIMES.

All this Is but sign OF the temper the
spirit OF the times. The age at heart IS
practical. As such IL interprets every
phase of life from the practical point OF
view. Religion IL no exception The ten
dency OF an age has more influence upon
theology than theology has upon the pre-
vaiing tendency.
The teaching OF Jesus isQ many sided
u Is easy 10 discover I'm harmony with
the practical spirit of our times many
sayings OF the master that point entirely
TO right action
Is a practical test that applies at the
laAi lndgnent
In SO far as We have done II unto the
least OF one OF these my brethren We have
done Il unto me-" Not every one that
Saye'h Lord. Lord. shall enter into the
Kingdom OF Heaven. bRt he that doeth
he will of my Father which Is I'm Heav-
en-. Besides. IN his life not summed IN
m the statement "lIe went about doing
good Surely there can be nothing plain-
er than these statements
In the light OF these practical commands
and In harmony with the spirit of the
hncs men turn as they have never turned
before 10 practice. Not only men I'm the
church but men out Of II
IN fact il may we'll DE questioned wheth-
er or not the great majority OF those on
gagged ip the great phiianthropic inter
are connected with the church. They are
largely men OF affairs OF strong moral
conviction, of strong sympathy for other
men and active in everything that tends
20 lift np the general flame OF society
certainly great number OF these mon
have no formal relationship with the
Christian church and they are not counted
In It's communion.
Moreover II Il IN the light OF what The
world Is doing and what the world needs
tina we see much or the criticism OF The
caurch. 10 Is being criticised for It's Ieth
srgy not IN faith but In works.
n leading clergyman I'm our drnomina-
pon SAID only. a short time ago "Congre-
zafiVnalism iS overfcd aud underworl,ed
The ideal church OF today IS "A workinr,
enureh in every pulpit IN The land mon
tv---tvrtfr-r- TTr-TCrrCar sTdG OF Tho
gospel and the great need of the world
Hre urging men TO greater action II has
been said that the ideal OF the minister
Today Is the general. lie Is 20 stand ba-
fore his audience on SUNDAY. as Coesor
ana Hannibal stood before their soldiers
and urge them 10 the attack against evil
ana 20 the rescue of men. ft cannot be de-
nled that not only from the worlds noipt
pl view but from the point OF View OF the
teaching OF Jesus the man who does NOT
40 this is "a failure. II matters not how.
ee,oquehi the sermon. how logical or how
thouEhtiu " q produces no fruit n is tt,
dead. - u
~ 80 Ear then'as the church IS doing
ms II Is ln perfect harmony with tbo
spirit ~ the world For every practicol
'harity ios,erod by tho church the World
WI respond with a loud amen. Men NAV
,o's' '"u' cease 10 believe in immortal
ny and Vet realize how stern and irnnera.
I'VE is duty. J think q was Mrs Ward
vno said. walking one evening az oxford
Goo, now unthinkahle. Immortality how
unbelievable. buf duty how irnperailver'
OUR Duty rs PLAIN.
The whole Of duty hen i- not 10 ,.s-
roo ang Keep IT'S commandments. hut
90 lhat which in The light OF COM
h1ence appears just and right Whom ,
nuen has doue that Il would seen t,,t
hufh, ideals. goals. heavens arc onl,. ~.
dental 10 mans life and can cors,-
dlentiy be assigned 10 Limbo and tbo
riFbt. Nevertheless ~ Is NOT The whole ~
"'r tex and before VIC decide that dut, is
ne one thing necessary wc shall ~ ieost
stance at i1c saying. Follow me-
The command ~ perfectly plain and sim.
ps. We are ied INTO no metaphysical dls.
fincfiOns as 10 the nature Of that ur,
which We are 20 follow.
We know. however. from our rnspei Ia.
% what practical realm This ieadersbip
or Jesus would take as. We know that I,
ftcrifcc
We know 10 that this Facriho. would
hs only The outer expression OF his low
fr man and God
That this love would y, che binding nnL
lsf~een himself snd God on the one hand
r1d himself and humanity On the other.
hat u would be a life no longer finite Or
1Arror' e1t Infinite and al embracing.