The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1903-10-14

quate to express the ideal relationship be-
tween bodies of Chris's followers: Toler-
ate? Endure? BE Indifferent? Shame on
those who. would thus cruelty the Christ
afresh! Like a mighty army moves the
church of God" shoulder to shoulder.
heart beat answering to heart beat, steps
swinging in time to the martial music of
the church militant and the church trium-
plant. Like a. mighty army moves the
church of God" No regimental sacrifice
of conviction, but above the fac of the
regiment, the flag of the army above the
standard of the denomination, the white
banner of the Captain of the host. the
Commander of the armies of the faithful,
the King, omnipotent and eternall Not
intolerance. not toleration,. not indiffer'
ence, but fellowship. is the rallying cry,
and we may believe that it finds a sympa.
thetic chord in every heart of this great
company.
A good beginning has been made. Fed.
grafton is fellowship put into practice.
Federation of churches and of Christian
workers has ceased to be a dream. 1t is
far from uncommon to-day. in single com
munities, in counties, in States. Let me
indicate a very few of the lines which have
been. suggested and actually followed in
this federated work. A religious census OF
given community, resulting in religious
directory, showing church and Sunday
school membership and attendance; Chris.
tian citizenship efforts. including those
against the legalized saloon. and against
the desecration and annihilation OF the
day OF rest, bulwark of our national life
now thrown down and tramped in the
dust-our brethren under other national
flags are not free from the bitterness of
this assault; n common rallying for the
preservation or the securing of an ideal
public school system where it can be done
wise direction of denominational enter
prises in the way of the founding of new
churches, thus tending to economy of ef.
fort and wise stewardship of resource but
chiefly, chiefly. cooperation in the vital,
invaluable work of the church universal in
evangelization. this above everything else
the joining hands of those who believe
that the world is lost without Jesus Christ
in harmonious and loving fellowship of
action for the worlds salvation. In all of
these endeavors we may work together.
sur hearts beating as one in our common
love and loyalty to our common Lord.
Let me suggest two thoughts which may
strengthen us in our fellowship.
First-The enemies OF Christ and His
followers are neither dead nor sleeping.
church in his day: "Who would paint a
picture of the present condition of the
church let him paint young woman in a
wilderness, or in some desert place. and
round about her let him figure lions, whose
eyes are glaring upon her and whose
mouths are open tn devour her substance
and her beauty" That is the natural con.
aition of the church. When the church
IN that age. in this age, in anv age, is truly
alive. and is fulfilling her destiny, she will
find about her, as OF old. men more cruel
than ravenous beasts. The gospel means
battle 1t is rightly on the offensive. not
the defensive. The gospel divides, when
it is manifested in disciple whose en-
hn1t rs tln "a, 81 Atterh t,
divide anything. The blocl; will bear al
most unmarked the edge Of an axe han.
lied by the feeble fincers of an infant. but
The axe goes deaving through the wood
when the edge comes down under the
sweeping power OF n strong mans arm.
True, multitudes OF nominal Christians
live on most amiable terms with the
world. and know next to nothing of any
tribulation or opposition occasioned by
their profession OF Christianity. But that
Is not because there is anv real alteration
in the consequences Of close union with
Jesus. It is because their union is so very
slight and superficial. The world loves its
shoals OF people whose religion is confined
to their tongues mostly and has nothing to
10 with their lives2 1t has not ceased to
be a hard thing to be real and thorough
Christian.
To be sure. opposition finds different
foes to-day than. in some other days. You
know to what lengths IL has gore. The
Inquistion. the massacre OF st. Bartholo-
new the reign OF Philip II. of Snain. the
Duke of Alva with his satanic deeds in the
Netherlands. the fires of Smithfeid. these
are not so far in the past that mists OF
oblivion have shronded them. But let
us understand, my fellow Christians. that
the world and the flesh and the devil are
against Cnristian building and Christian
living STILL Just as they always were.
l do not believe in people looking for
trouble, searching for some one who will
consent to persecute them. but | have an
idea that the sting of Smith6eld fires and
the wrenching of Toruuemada's rack. If
those experiences could be reDeated might
correct some va2aries OF modern theology
The laundering summons of the enemy
at the door might be a wholesome anti
1ote for some conditions in our churches
Of to-day. There is something in the call
10 battle, battle for q cause which is
righteous and supremely worthy, which
,tirs the deepest and the best in us. Is
i true that there is to-day little of the
heroic m religion to appeal to men? Alas
FOR us il that be 50.
The statement comes from some of our
theological seminaries that there is some
hearth Of candidates for the ministry
Why? Why is it that the ministry does
not appeal to every stalwart. able. earnest.
luselish Christian man in his college days.
It does to some. A part of the product
of our semnaries to-day was never sur
passed. But, why does not the claim of
this great vocation press upon every such
an one until il is soberly settled one way
or the other? 1t is not because young
men are afraid. There was no difficulty
in filling up the ranks of the Rough Rider
regiment. though every man knew that he
was taking his life in his hands when he
volunteered. There was no lack OF volun-
teers for service when the Merrimac was
to be sunk at the mouth of Santiago har-
Dor, though it meant a voyage into the
jaws OF death. Eight men were needed;
you know the response to the call for vol
unteers.
/ will not believe th,t there is among
our young men a lack Of courage, lack OF
willingness to suffer. Can it be that young
men have made up their minds that with
the present spirit in the church there is
little demand for the heroic in her minis
try? They say that a minister makes his
church. He does leave his stamp upon the
church, but it is no less true that tho
church makes the ministers. And tho
minister will not 60 far beyond what tho
church requires, or at least he will not go
far beyond the point to which the church
will follow him. If the church of the liv.
ing God is to any considerable degree hon.
sycombed with indifference, permeated
element in the church is dying. then tho
church may hold itself responsible for any
diminution in number, and for any lessen.
ing OF staiwart efficiency in its leadership.
| No man Of strength and self respect IS
| going to submit to being regarded merely
| as convenient adjunct to weddings and
| funerals, as a kind of family pet TO hd
coddled and fed with sweetmeats. Ii the
] church wants much that Is heroic IN her
L Il. hat il Ina nla