Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-05-23
PRACTICING THE SIMPLE LIFE.

DR.. Van Dyke, moderator of the Pres.
ibyterian general assembly which has
been in session at Los Angeles this
week, said to the assembled delegates
that Inconsistency of Christians is the
i stronghold of unbelief. The lack oil
vital joy in the church is the chief cause
of Indifference In the world. The fee
BILE energy, the faltering and reluctant
Esprit, the WEAKNESS In well-doing with
which too many believers impoverish
and sadden their own hearts, make 9TH
of religion and turn away from it in
cool neglect"
What then, asks Mr. Van Dyke, is the
! duty OF the church and in what way
may she win the confidence of the
world? His answer to his own question
| is: First, she must increase her labors
in the love of men; second she must
practice the simple life in the trust of
God.
| 1t was the younger element Of the
Presbyterian church TO whom DR.. Van
Dykes remarks were addressed and to
whom they carried peculiar signifi-
canoe. TO them 1t meant the breaking
of dogmatic chains and the elevation
tof simple belief in Gods merciful kind
mess above the dogmas of denomina-
tons; the quiet foreshaGowing of a re-
vision of creed considered by them
| illiberal in the light of modern thought
| and inadequate to the needs of the
twentieth century. 1t was the forging
| forward of the church to present neces-
sites and larger usefulness by the
subordination of its creed and discipline
| to the broader principles of Christian
faith and hope.
| DR.. Van Dyke and the younger
churchmen to whom he spoke are in
line with the inevitable in their desire
for revision. Nothing is .fmmutable
about the church but the Faith on which
II. is founded. Forever .the old order
changeth. giving place 10 new, and God
good custom should corrupt the world
The church must move in the evolution
of all things. 1t must keep in step with
the greater revelation of God to each
succeeding generation. It must do all
this or lose its character as a harbor
where the shallops of human faith may
rest secure from the tempests of
doubt and infidelity.
While the world has been drifting
growing away from God. The basic
principles upon which the eternal faith
is builded are stronger IN the hearts of
men today than when Calvin preached
of predestination. Modern thought is
not infidelity against God, but against
dogma; not a disbelief in the sermon
on the mount, but revolt at creeds. II
the church would retain its hold upon
the world 1t must keep its creed abreast
as an atonement, not Lucifer in hell.
Calvin, Luther, Edwards. saw God in
the storm, but failed to seek Him in the
sunshine. The world has turned from
a frowning providence to the smiling
face of mercy, and In SC doing has lost
sight of the great theologians. In re-
gotten a personal devil. In the JOY of
finding a Father of infinite mercy and
loving kindness it has rerudiated much
dogma incompatible with its apprehen-
sion of God.
A simple, kindly Christian life is the
highest doctrine. An honest, sincere
and unquestioning effort toward good is
the highest evidence of religion. The
great world Is intolerant of creed, but
Van Dyke is right when he insists
that the church must practice Christi
anity and forget to proseyte; that it
must labor in the love of men more than
the interest of its organization.
The world Is not infidel. On the con-
trary it is naturally and intensely re-
ltgious, but it wants something to touch.
The new world calls for works. 1t
proves Christians by their sincerity and
not by their professions, and churches
by their utility In making men better
and not by the number u, their commu-
nicants. 1t is all a question of utility
in a workaday world, add when the
church has, as 1t can, proven its USE
fitness seven days in the week and re-
ligion become the common ordinary
help to sincere and useful life that it
should be; when kindness and helpful
ness and simplicity are .he cardinal vir-
tues of the churches, the renaissance of
taeir power will have begun.