The Newtown bee., 1904-01-01

1t used to be SO that Christian be-
levers knew where they stood, and
where they belonged, in one or another
of the churches. They we're born and
bred in most cases in some particular
faith. They were instructed and es-
tablished in the doctrines of their de-
nominations; possessed certain we'll
defined moral convictions; reason
able personal hope; and all the essen
tial elements of living spiritual ideal
in Christ. Stability and permanence
in the life of the Church, and all that
contributed to build up Christian
character, used to be considered of the
highest Importance. The spirit of
loyalty, and sacrifice for a principle
and cause made men and women
strong, positive, and efficient factors
Of society. If they we're narrow in
their sympathies they were at least
consistent and self-respecting. If they
changed their faith and church rela-
tions it was to meet their honest con-
victions and worthy preferences, and
not for the sake Of some strange and
doubtful wind of doctrine, or wave
of emotional excitement.
But the times change, and the Chris
tian life Of the people changes; some
times for the better, and in some things
for the worse, perhaps. Let us be
ready and willing to face the facts of
life as they come. We live in larger
relations to the world than our fathers
knew. We must do our work in the
church, as in everything else, on broad
er lines. Provincial life must give
place to the cosmopolitan. Our social
relations are of worldwide significance.
Every man of every nation may chance
class may become our brother in Christ.
The basis of all our Christian activities
has already become, in great measure,
a matter of social science. We do not
stand on our traditions; we have for
gotten some of our prejudices; and we
lind our fellowship to suit our own
ideals and standards.
Why not? The church is practically
what the people make it. 1t depends
upon US. We go where we are drawn.
We look for people of our own class or
set. 1t is not SO much principles as
persons which concern US. 1t is not
doctrines we follow so much as exam
pie. 1t is not worship, but the pleasing
of our own individual tastes, ambitions
and present advantage which deter
mine our ecclesiastical standing. 1t is
not conscience but convenience, in
many cases, which settles the question
of where, and how one. shall serve God.
1 am not saying that this is all
wrong. I believe in the greatest free
dom consistent with the divine stand
ard of morality and true religion as it
is in the Lord Jesus Christ. "Where
the Spirit of the Lord is there is lib
erty." People should 90 to church,
and belong to the church where they
can get the most good, and do the most
for the cause. Every one needs to be
in the family of Christ somewhere, ano
a worthy member always. If man is
more at home, and can be more useful
| in one denomination than in another
it may be even his duty to change his
home and fellowship. Let him bt
loyal to the Lord, and his own convic
tions, not selfshly, but in the spirit Of
sacrifice.
The danger is great in these days O.
diversities, mixing, and confusion il
the religious life, that many who art
weak and unstable will lose their faith
and learn to cavil at the truth and th'
love of God. The very freedom of ou
moral-spiritual life is fraught will
temptations and the subtle power o
deception. 1t is the fashion for Chris
tians to declare that it makes littl'
difference what any one believes, if h'
is sincere; which is not true. Piou
can't is rife with a heavy stock of dis
tOrtei half-truthS, which are some
times craftily designed to mislead tn
shallow, and trap the unwary. In fact
the honest man of good intelligence
has need to stop and reflect if he woul'
give his family the best social, mora
and religious advantages he can find
wherever he may choose or chance t.
make his home. And why should no
any one choose, with care and con
science, the church society and Chris
tian fellowship he prefers and needs
Just as he would select a house for
home, vocation to follow, a frater
nifty for mutual benefit, or school o
college in which TO educate his chill
dren? 1t is question of loyalty an
sacrifice. Let every one be fully pei
suaded in his own heart and mind.
Miss Kate B. Reynolds and Arthu
| Reynolds of New York spent Christ