Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-10-17

1liiSscS VI IlOlilltiNl NlllStlditS III % ~
tus-eating atmosphere, listless, idle, unac-
complishng.
federation is long advance from intol-
prance, but liberation easily becomes in
difference, and both are utterly made
Quate to express the ideal relationship be-
tween bodies of Christ's followers: Toer-
ate? Endure? Re indifferent? Shame on
those, who would thus cruelty the Christ
afrcsh! Like a mighty army moves the
church of Cod shoulder to shoulder,
heart beat answering to heart beat. steps
swimming 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 flag of the
regiment. the flag Of the army above the
standard of the denomination, the white
banner of thu. Captain. OF the host o tne
Commander of the armies of the faithful,
the King. omnipotent and eternal! Not
intolerance. not liberation, not inditfer-
ence, but fellowship. is the rallying cry,
and we may believe that it finds a sympa.-
thet;c chord in every heart of this great
company.
A good beginning has been made. Fed
aration is fellowship put into nractice.
Federation OF churches and of Christian
workers has ceased to be dream; IT 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
against the legalized saloon. and against
the desecration and annihi,ation of the
day of rest. bulwark Of our national lite
now thrown down and trampled in the
lust-our brethren under other national
flags are not free from the bitterness OF
this assault; a common rallylng tor the
preservation. or the securing OF an ldcal
! wise direction of UNCONVENTIONAL enter
prises in the way of the founding of new
churches, thus tending to economy OF ef-
:ort 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.
our hearts beating as one in our common
love and loyalty to our common Lord.
Let me suggest two thoughts which may
strengthen lis in our fellowship.
First-The enemies of Christ and Els
followers are neither dead nor sleeping.
Luther said, as representation of the
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 lbs t. devouF her substance
dition 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-
divide anything. The block will bear al
most unmarked the edge Of an axe han
died by the feeble finrers Of an infant. but
the axe goes cleaving through the wood
when the edge comes down under the
sweeping power Of a strong mans arm.
True, multitrdes of nominal Christians
live on most amiable terms with. the
world. and know next to nothing of any
tribulation OF opposition occasioned by
their profession OF Christianity. But that
is not because there is. any real alteration
in the consequences Of close union with
Jesus. 1t is because their uniol is so very
slight and superficial. The world loves it's
own. and what can it find to hate in the
shoals of people whose religion is confined
do with their lives? 1t mas not ceased to
be a hard thing to be a 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 gone. The
Inquisition. the massacre Of St.. Bartholo-
new, the reign of Philip III. of Snain. the
1l,,1yo of A Ix,o1 with hi, cofo IooIc s,,f h
Netherlands. the fires of SmithHeid. these
are not so far in the mast that rnists of
oblivion have shronded them. But let
us understand, nv fellow Christians tina:
the world and the flesh and the devil are
against Christian building and Christian
living still. just as they always We're.
I do not believe in people looking fo-
consent to persecute them. but I have ar
idea that the sting Of SmithEeld fires and
the wrenching of Torcuemada's rack. if
those experiences could be repeated. might
correct some vagaries of modern theology.
The laundering summons of the enemy
at the door might be Wholesome anti
dote for some conditions in orr churches
of to-day. There is something in the call
to battle, battle for cause which is
righteous and supremely worthy, which
stirs the deepest ard the best in us. Is
it true that there is to-day little of the
heroic in r>ligion to appeal to men? Alas
for us if that be so.
The statement comes from some of our
theological seminaries that there is some
dearth of candidates for the ministry.
Why? Why is it that the ministry does
hot appeal to every stalwart. able. earnest.
unselfish Christian man in his college days?
It does to some. A part of the product
of our seminaries to-day was rever sur.
passed. But why does not the Calm of
htS oI,
an one until it 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 voiun-
teers for service when the Merrimac was
Dor, though it meant voyage into the
jaws. of death. Eight men We're needed;
you know the response to the call for vol
unteers.
I 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 the ir 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 the
church makes the ministers. And the
minister will not go far beyond what the
church requires, or at least he will not go
far beyond the point to whicA the church
will follow him. If the church of the liv-
ing God is to any considerable degree hon
eycomhed with indifference, pcrmeated
with the dry rot of lethargv, if the heroic
flement in the church is dying, then the
thurch may hold itself responsible for a,y
Himinution in number, and for cry less, "
ing of staiwart efficiency in Its leadership.
No man or Strnnctb and self resoect il