The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-01-31

l To ask again the question with Whlcl
 I began, if 1t were within our power tC
 change our own parishes by a word into what we would have them, what would
 we make of them. Should we not fine
 the answer if we may judge by what
 men seem to be working for, oftenel | inadequate and small. Can you not imagine many men who would simply ask that their church services should be crowded, that the offerings should be large, that the salary should be inCreas-
 ed, that the organizations in the church
 should be many and well supported and
 all such things as these; rather than
 that righteousness and peace should
 dwell among us and the laws of God
 be observed in the community and in
 private life.
 Or to put it in another way how many
 have sufficiently strong and permanent
 ideal? How many have sufficiently be-
 fore them the object and aim for which
 they are laboring to see the necessity
 for deciding to accept pain and sorrow
 for themselves provided this was nee
 essary to advance the Church of God
 as whole, I do not for one moment
 believe that any man Is called to de-
 eide such questions in our day I be- lieve that the laws of God are such that
 usually the success of the worker as an
 individual goes hand in hand with the success of the whole provided the man
 is upright and honest and self-denying
 in his work.
 But am trying to get before you how hazy and indistinct it is possible for our ideals for the Kingdom of God in our community to become and how lack of definite purpose weakens the man. hood and true ambition of the young. And how it keeps us acting as indivd- uals ra ther than finding assistance and encourag cement in united action.
 And I say frankly that for myself that I believe that this thing alone would form one of the strongest reasons for not entering into the Christian min istry.
 I can nothing alluring in the ambition to enter into competition with others to get an opportunity to be rector of parish and when there to so conduct it that I can hold my own aginst clerical competition and be ready for the next higher opening under the same terms of competition. If there is not some thing to live for and work for higher than that I should not consider the sa- crifice of self-respect sufficiently repaid by the end gained.
 And theoretical at least I should be to bear the burdn of criticism which comS with a somewhat public life an responsibility for a public insti- tuition, if there were nothing to be done but protect myself and prove that I could I do it. If on the other hand we are engaged in a common cause which in the providence of God is destined to conquer the world and which each one in his place is striving to promote to the best of his ability for a common good, and we have sufficient evidence that this is the spirit in which this devine is kept alive. Then I can see that there is sufficient reason for doing almost anything to carry out this work. Then we must realize that all men are human and our object for living is not to complain but to change things and nen that are wrong.
 From that standpoint why in the name of all that is reasonable should we not fight to change things just where | ve are rather than looking for com nunity that has no need of reform, and | cave what is disagreeable to some one i lse.
 l put this as an ideal rather than a | practical maxim for the reason that as ong as we are human many will find themselves misplaced and unable either o lead or govern the tendencies of the in which they live and must ry again. But it must certainly be all f owed that it is not just the ideal man vho looks forward to the time when he will find community adapted to Him ather than adapting Himself to a com nunity.
 I do not believe there ever have been many great battles fought and won on uch a principle. It is the like looking or some one who will not fight in or CT that We may gain a great victory. But all this is idle talk and idle criti- ism unless it is within our power to elp on some change for the better. And l any suggestions I feel that what we hould keep in mind that as one of the reat weaknesses of the Christian min jtry is any really true and permanent lealism. So we should put this as our rst object in reform l for one have o faith in any artificial tests which an be applied to candidates for Holy rders. do not believe that at the age of 22, hich is the average age of graduation i 'om college. that the man himself . nows what he is able to do as a reacher or leader among men. Much , ss that any real test can be applied ! IT acertainty. But I do believe that ( le spirit with which he is surrounded | hen he begins his work will develop |,
 him either good or bad qualities If sees that real scholarship is at a dis 2 ,unt and that magazine reading will : lswer just as well, he will take the f sier method. If he sees that men |; ,ove him so shape their own work that z will always rebound to their own ory, he will begin to look out for him. If If he sees that self advertising :,
 ngs recognition he will begin to plan f r things which will attract public at < ntion. If he sees that piety and gen. !, eness are used toward one's superiors d i'd those whom he wishes to conciliate, I, nile utter indifference, and an un- n rupulous use of power is exercised a CT interiors, he will become hypo- n ite. If be sees that men are laborine