The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-10-26
FEUDALISM OR FEDERATION?
Interesting Sermon by Rev. {. 7. Root at
Church Of The Mediator.


the Church OF the Mediator yesterday
morning by Rev. f. Tallmadge Root, field
secretary OF the federation of churches,
which was recently formed for state work.
He spoke on "Feudalism II. the Face OF
the Foe? or Federation" and took his
text from Is. xi:13-H. lie said:
The eyes OF the world today are turned
to Japan, fearlessly facing the mightiest
Of empires, Russia DR. Griffis recently
explained the rapid rise OF Japan as a
world power by the intense patriotism OF
her people. But he said that a century
ago, under the Feudal system II was not
50. No Japanese felt loyalty to his coun-
try, but only to one or other or three
hundred daiwios. Are not the churches
today still In the Feudal period. when
they say: 'I am a Congregatioaalist.
am n Baptist l." CD Must they not
awake to the fact that they all belong
to the empire of Christ?
Isaiah similarly saw the wretched re-
suits OF division between Israel and Ju-
dah. and predicted their reunion as the
indispensable condition OF the glory OF the
Mossianic age. So our sectarian spirit
must cease, and together must we fly
down upon the common foe.
There are. indeed. important differences
between the denominations. as there were
between the two kingdoms. Israel stood
for liberty: Judah for the house OF David ;
had either truth been lost. the whole
world would have been a. loser. Each OF
our denominations stands for principle
which the world needs
But az both kingdoms had one history
and one hope, so all Christians have cred
and conduct upon the life and teachings
OF Christ
30 Lord and Master Of us all,
whate'er our name or sign.
We hear Thy voice. we heed Thy call,
We test our lives by Thine!'
HOPE FOR ETERNITY
And all have a hope for eternity"
However, we differ; we all assume that
the unseen things are real and supreme
ly important.
The question II: Which today are the
more important our differences or our
identities. The very fact that they are
held in common. proves the common
truths TO be the more important. IL they
are in no danger. we may and often
must discuss differences But IL the com
mon truths are threatened all must
unite to defend them. Men may dispute
about the course OF the ship. but IL the
ship springs aleak, all man the pumps 10
keep her afioat.
Such is the situation with religion today
Charles Booths Investigations in London
reveal the tendency everywhere. He finds
multitudes OF Christians fighting a losing
battle with sin and indifference, too alb
sorbed In the conflict 10 know that the
battle is going against them The diffi-
Guilty does not lie In the points In which
they differ: for all follow spiritually the
same method; and all, even the Salvation
Army, fail.
ALLIED WITH LIQUOR TRAFFIC.
The common assumptions OF all are de-
ME. The supreme Importance of the
teaching and example OF Christ is practi-
caliy displaced by the prevailing assump-
ton that the end In life II to make money.
Contentment with things present and
seen excludes any real interest In ques-
ton OF eternity. The announcement OF
this current creed is the creation OF social
conditions with which even Christianity
cannot cope. Greed produces a concession
OF poverty which paralyzes morality and
religfon--Booth says that great gulf is
fixed between the religion OF Christ and
those who fall below n certain economic
lines. Greed titles itself with the liquor
traffic and every form OF vice.
The facts give the death blow 10 all de-
nominational self-conceit. All sects. as
such are equally powerless. We must
adopt some practical form of coopera-
tion as that proposed by the r.. l. FEEDER
alton Then the churches will filnll Isa-
iah's prophecy: "They shall fly down up
on the shoulder OF the Phillstines I'm our
midst; together shall they win the chill
dren OF the streets: they shall put forth
their hand upon saloon and business In Its
methods shall obey them.