The Pickens sentinel-journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1903-1906, 1904-07-27
thoughts, but the type OF fiimsy novel that
aimply, entertains.
The Chureh of Christ f;uk,,o IonoA,s - s,o,,-


The GBareii Of schrigtlissho longer a; COM
Portable place in which the unrepehtant
sinner can sit: Religion has become much
more sacred place. 1t is not regarded in
these days as simply combination of rites
and ceremonies, performed in a special
building, but religion is known by all men
to be coordinate and co-extepsive with life
and in disregard of Christ's standard will
not add to his degradation by playing the
hypocrite and impostor. This means that
In the minds of irreligious men there is a
growing. respect for religion and sound
who do not attend | say that it is the life
which the age is calling on men to live
that Is weakening the religious life and
faith of men. Men cannot serve God and
mammon is true forever. Can this evil be
overcome, and how? l believe that it can,
and the way to overcome it is to satisfy
men that we are living in moral and spir-
itual world in which God is present, and
in which He makes His demands. Profes-
sor James, of Harvard, speaks of the uni
up new world which science has hitherto
scoited at, but winch must be recognized
II we know by our own experience that
there IS realm of thought, of love- OF
conscience, of righteousness, toward which
things our hearts yearn. We know more
than ever the laws of this department Of
life, how, under God, benefcence and
growth and power are added to life by
their obedience, and how injury and weak
ness, and suffering are the resultants OF
disobedience to the individual and to the
nation and the race. Men believe in these
things, because they see them. If they do
not believe in their power as you and I,
dear Christian friends do, it is because
they have been hindered by other things
from looking at them seriously enough. If
they can be turned from the craze of the
age, which is selishness, they will be able
to see and appreciate the workings of this
real kingdom of love and Christ in our
midst If the church is to help men it
must open its doors and heart to such men.
1t must not refuse their admission or re-
tard them by insulting them when they
come. Ii q man is looking for righteous
ness and anxious to govern his life accord
ing to that inspiration, the church ought
to be ready to give to such an honest man
all he is ready and willing to receive. Let
us not be afraid of our sacraments being
desecrated. Men will not come to them
unless they really want them and believe
IN them. We ask too much of men about
what they believe or do not believe The
working and living Church of Christ is
not that which shall only have a place and
welcome for those who are fully equipped
with faith in all its sacred doctrines, but
church which like Christ, shall draw ah
men unto it and gradually, by its spiritual
privileges and possessions.
If men can believe something of Christ's
revelation OF God, if they can say, "Lord,
l believe" it becomes then the part of
every Christian as an individual and of all
Christians as an organization to help their
unbehef until men can enter into the full
ness of His message and take for their in
spiration in life, God so loved the world
that lie gave His only bcgotten Son, that
whose beleveth on Him might not perish,
but have everlasting life" This is the
Christians message of Gods presence
among us. God loving men, inspiring and
guiding them toward Ills own ideal OF per
tcctness. This is the opening OF the gates
OF salvation to men, from setishncss and
animalism, into the happiness and encour.
agement of knowing that we are the sons
OF God, for God hath not called us to un-
clcanncss, but to holiness. When the
churches of Christ take this attitude to.
ward men and men shall learn that the
ministration of the church is toward help
ing. them out OF their sins and mistakes,
rather than in constant condemnation Of
their faults, | believe they will be found
within lis. walls. ready to be helped and
led toward a larger knowledge of God and
His love