The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1903-10-16


tus-eating atmosphere. hstless, idle, unac-
eorphshing.
Tolera,ion is long advance from intol-
eranee, but tolerstion easily becomes IN
difference, and both are utterly made
quate 20 express the ideal relationship be-
tween bodies Of Christ's followers. Toler-
ates Endure Re Indifferent Shame ON
those who would thus cruelty the Christ
afreshl Like a mighty army moves the
heart beat answering 20 heart beat, steps
swinging in time 10 the martial music OF
the church militant and the church trium'
phant. Like mighty army moves the
church OF God" No regmental sacrifice
OF cons.s> ION, but above the hae OF the
regiment, the flag, Of the army above the
standard of the denomination, the white
hammer OF the Captain of the host. the
Commando OF the armies OF the faithful.
the King, omnipotent and eternal' Not
intolerance. not toleration, not indiffer-
ence. but fellowship. is the rallylng cry,
and we may believe that II finds a sympa-
theuc 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 10 be a dream. Ii is
far from uncommon to-day. in single COM
munties, IN counties. in States. Let me
indicate 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. a 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: a common ralylng for the
preservation or the securing of an ideal
public school system; where II can be done
wise direction of UNCONVENTIONAL enter
prises in the way of the founding Of new
churches, thus tending 10 economy of ef-
fort and wise stewardship of resource, but
chiefly, chiefly, cooperation IN the vital.
invaluable work OF the church universal in
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 US in our fellowship.
First-The enemies of Christ and lis
followers are neither dead nor sleeping.
Luther said, as a representation OF the
church in his day: "Who would paint
picture OF the present condition OF the
church let him paint young woman in
wilderness, or in some desert place, and
round about her let him figure hons, whose
eyes are glaring upon her and whose
mouths are open 10 devour her substance
and her beauty" That is the natural con-
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
battle. Ii is rightly on the offensive, not
the defensive. The gospel divides, when
it is manifested in a disciple whose en-
bodying of the gospel is strong enough to
divide anything. The bloc. will bear al
most unmarked the edge of an axe ham
died by the feeble fin ers OF an infant, but
the axe goes cleaving through the wood
when the edge comes down under the
sweeping power OF strong mans arm.
True, multitudes of nominal Christians
live on most amiabe terms with the
world. and know next TO nothing of any
tribulation or opposition occasioned by
their profession o: Christianity. But that
is not because there is anv real alteration
in the consequences of close union with
Jesus. IL Is because their uno ~ so very
slight and superficial. The world loves its
own. and what can IL find TO hate in the
shoals of people whose religion is confined
to their tongues mostly and has nothing to
do with their lives? 1t ..ls not ceased to
he 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 It has gone. The
Inquisltion, the massacre OF st. Bartholo-
NEW, the reign of Philip III. OF Spain, the
Duke OF Alva with his satanic deeds in the
Netherlands. the fires of SmithheId. these
are not so far IN the past that mists OF
oblivion have shrouded them. But let
us understand, nv fellow Christians, that
the world and the flesh and the devil are
against Cnristian building and Christian
living still, just as they always were.
| do not believe in people looking for
trouble, searching for some one who will
consent 20 persecute them. bu. ! have an
idea that the sting of Smithhe,d fires and
the wrenching of Torquemada's rack, IL
those experiences could be repeated. might
correct some vagarics OF modern theology.
The laundering summons of the enemy
at the door might be a wholesome anti
dote for some conditions in our churches
OF to-day. There Is something IN the call
TO battle, battle for cause which IL
righteous and supremely worthy, which
stirs the deepest and the best in us. IL
1t true that there is to-day little of the
heroic in religion 10 appeal to men? Alas
for us If that be so.
The statement comes from some Of our
theological seminaries that there is soma
dearth of candidates for the ministry.
Why, Why Is II that the ministry does
not appeal TO every stawart. able. earnest,
unsefish Christian man in his college days!
1t does to some. A part of the product
of our semlnaries to-day was never sur.
passed. But why does not the claim OF
an one until II IS soberiy settled one way
or the other? II 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-
tecrs for service when the Merrimac was
to be sunk at the mouth OF Santiago har-
Dor, though II meant a voyage into the
jaws of death. Eight men we're needed;
you know the response 70 the call for vol
unteers.
Socond-The insistent call for service
has not ceased. Dean Frederick W. Far
rar, who has but recently passed from
among us, has said. is not this fatally
true, that the lives Of very many are friv-
olous, useless, egotistical; that the lives of
very many are wasted and self-ruined by
their own vi.est passions; that the lives
OF some are like mere poison and pesti-
,ence TO all around them; that it is the
lives OF few only which are noble and gen
erous, brave and unselfish, merciful and
just, pure and true; And the main curse
Of most lives is that they think only. OF
self and live only for self" ! hope that
the words contain an exaggeration. can
but believe that each of us knows in his
own circle lives which. though they be
hidden from public view and knowledge,
are brave and unselhsh," pure and
true" But the words OF the great church
man are a challenge and an appeal. The
tus call for eerriro has ceascd