The Tupelo journal., 1903-07-10

from contact with the world. Mel
Their should he be a worldly-minded
Christian, loving the world and the
things of the world, with never a
vision of his high calling and des-
tiny.
DOTH these types'of Christians are
- stumbling blocks to the unre-
generate soul. The world points it's
finger of contempt and r%eproach at
the Christian who is all immersed in
the earthly walk, whose life bellies
his profession. 1t turns with disgust
and impatience from the Christian
who has grown so pious and Heaven
ly as to be out of all practical touch
with the world and the worlds needs,
and who has lost all sense of per-
sonal responsibility towards the
state and nation. 1t says of one "A
pretty Christian, surely! He is no
better than or different from the peo-
pie who make no profession" 1t says
of the other: "Whcn a person gets
so much religion as to be too good
for the world, he ought to get out.
This religion which sets one in a lit
tie I-am-holier-than-thou sphere and
sewers all obligations of citizenship and
responsibility towards the govern
ment of state and nation is too ex-
elusive and sanctimonious to be SEN
sible or practical" And these two
Christian extremists become stumb-
ling blocks and hindrances to the
progress of the Gospel in the world.
But there are those, thank God,
who steer the blessed middle course,
who keep their eye On God and walk
as children of light in the world. The
Heavenly calling does not make them
forget their part in the world.
and their responsibility in the af-
fairs of men, but rather intensifies
the sense of obligation towards the
world and the opportunity afforded
by the earthly walk. Their lives are
above reproach as far as contact with
the worlds sinful pleasures, its greed
and selfishness are concerned, and
their loyalty to the community in
which they live, their sense of the
responsibility of citizenship, their pa
triotism and their earnest, steadfast
effort in behalf of every public good
and uncompromising opposition to ev-
cry evil command the respect and
Endorsement of their neighbors and
associates. They live Christ in a
practical way, and demonstrate that
religion does not curtail the abilities,
does not stife patriotism, does not
change public-spirited energy into
meaningless prayers and the singing
of the soul away into everlasting
bliss.
WE have been led to select this
w topic and text for our indie
pendence day sermon, because the
tendency on every hand seems to be
a distinct separation in, thought and
practice of Christianity from public
affairs and politics in it's broadcast
sense. The world in its progress, and
civilization and political evolutions, is
moving at a tremendous pace. Life is
indeed strenuous. These are condi-
tions which the citizen must face. He
cannot frown or argue them down.
He must accept the situation and adj
just himself to the swift movements
of the onrushing world. 1t will not
do to take the governor off the en-
CINE. If you do the engine will race
to it's ruin. It will not do to check
it down and lock the steam in the
boiler, for the increased pressure
which finds no vent will burst the
boiler and tear the engine to pieces.
1t is so in regard to the affairs of
men. If the governing hand Of God
is removed the engine of political,
commercial and industrial life will go
racing on to certain ruin. If it were
possible to check the present tremen-
dous developments in the world the
pent-up power would work it's own
destruction. Both extremes must be
avoided if the nations and peoples Of
the world are to steer a safe course.
The greatest peril which this nation
has to fear is the Indifference or
willful neglect Of its Christian citi-
gems. We believe there is q tendency
in this direction. The nation as .
whole is losing its ems Of God a.
q governing and controlling factor
in the national life. This modern
day materialism is having its narrow
ing and blighting influence upon the
Christian and bringing him to believe
that oufsido NJ thu male nf r~eli0ion