Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1903-10-07

Truth and Power OF hristianity Is
Capable of mOnstratiOn In
Everyday Life.

Christianity as a religion is as ex-
detrimental as it is practical. and this
aspect of it is not less important
than the other. Or than any other, for
that matter. It has to do with the
inner life as well as the outer life
and is unique in this respect, fulfilling
a demand of our nature which is real
and imperative. There is something
within every one of us that calls for
that in religion which satisfies, which
brings sense Of right relations with
God and Of the right adjustment Of
our own powers of mind and heart,
SO as to allay fear and unrest, giving
peace an3 harmony within, that which
the propnet calls "Quietness and as
surance forever" This inward frame,
this joyous conformity to Gods will,
this conscious transformation into
the likeness of the Son of God, arises
only from the realization of what is
known among all evangelical Chris
tan people as experimental reli-
gion."
Christian Advocate, is expressive and
comprehensive. The idea it embodies
is complete and broad. although the.
terms are too general to be very defin-
ite.-that is, they do not enter very
discriminatory into modes and proc
esses, SO as to set forth the different
elements of the gracious work in their
10 nd IN no
whole. It is quite possible to have a
satisfying experience in religion with
out a large amount of knowledge of
the technicalities about which theO-
logians speculate and debate. Plain
people grasp the substance as readily
as do scholars and thinkers. This is
one Of the beauties of the scheme
which God has ordained for the COM
fort of all grades of intellect and for
all varieties of temperament and sus-
ceptibility; and it is PROOF that there
is Divine wisdom in it.
They mistake the scope and sig
nifcance of experimental religion
who think Of it as relating only to
sentiment and emotion. 1t does re-
late to these, but only as incidents.
It has wider and deeper meaning
All that pardon, regeneration, adop-
ton and sanctihcation include or i'm
ply must be embraced in it. In con-
tents it Is as grand as salvation-it is
salvation revealed, proved, verified,
brought within the sphere of con-
seriousness and incorporated into the
substance of personal knowledge. OF
course it has psychological side,
suggesting material for abstruse
thought and for learned investigation,
but that is not an essential, nor does
it come into the range of our purpose
in writing 1t rather belongs to the
class of learned people who come into
possession of religion as a concrete
blessing, and thus gain the. proper
standpoint for rational inquiry
Without the knowledge that comes
with the experience itself, specula-
tons and theo]izing can never reach
ture. Those who undertake the ex
position of experimental religion
without pOss essing it as a verify of
consciousness, reason on the mystery
in the absence of the most important
data; they seek to solve the problem
while emitting the chief factor. the
only one that can assure success
1t must be, however, that an aspect
of religious life capable of such ex-
tension and such cOmprehensivenes
will vitality affect the, emotions as well
as the intellectual activities. 1t
awakens the affections, hopes, aspira
tons and longings of the soul. 1t
.stirs and energizes the sensibilities.
1t refines and purifies the passions
1t expands the spiritual horizon and
fills the armament of hope with stars
of ever increasing brilliancy. OF
course, with its dominating power in
the empire of mind and heart, the
opposing forces OF unbelief and of
evil passion must reeede and die.
There is something in the expulsive
power of master passion. II love
increase and abound. hate must di-
minish. If spiritual knowledge hold
sway, darkness and uncertainty must
fly before the advancing light If
God manifest Himself in the heart,
every power of evil must weaken in
His presence.
Such religion contains what is
substantial meaning of the word "ex-