The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1904-07-05

in consistency with its own attain
ments and its changed circumstances
who bell, ees that the church Of the
nineteenth century should set the ex-
ample in methods for the church OF
The Twentieth Century?
The continual change in conditions
which the church has to confront ana
believe it should adjust itself to
these conditions but one thing Is
sure. and that is, the foundation prin-
ciples of the church will never change
for they have been cbiseled and set
by the Master Workman of the uni
verse and what are they?
First--Salvation of souls.
Second-The protection and devel
opment of these souls.
But how shall we reach out a.
draw them to Christ is the all-absorb
ing question. m
development can be seen in all
lines, and shall the church expect to
reach men and yet fail to take ior
ward step in its methods? No no.
Let the church go forward il methods
changing not the foundation but the
super-structure. The church which
best meets the needs Of the day, wnic
adjusts itself to the thought life and
activity of the present, which meets
the demands and Deeds of the com
munity, that church has firm grasp
on life and weaves itself upon the
hearts and lives of men and becomes
a mighty factor for good a church
must prove its right to exist by its
fruits.
This is a practical age. The church
has been practical in the past but
must be more so now. The spirit OF
the age is evaDgelizatlon, drawing men
and women and getting inspiration not
from the dry rafting bones Of theol-
ogy, but from the word of God
Doctrine is all right aud as import
ant now as ever, but we need a prac-
teal pulpit inspired by the Holy Spirit
to reach forth for the elevation Of the
masses, the broadening of human in
ltenect and for the redemption of souls.
Religion is not something speculative
or theoretical but practical, holding
life and transforming character. Fec.
pie are not so much interested in the
needs Of the church as they are in the
: -. .otf tool rauttlto obtained
Today we have more spires than
ever. More in Sunday School and $
great army of young people, but Satan
has taken his hosts down into the
/ slough of despond and bathed them
in the dregs of damnation.
a new test is applied to the church
It used to be what a man believed
now what a man does.
The Twentieth Century church must
be more than missionary church, not
only living in sympathy with the burd
Z ,ened and oppressed but ready to allev
] late the conditions If possible. It's
doors will be open at all hours. Il
/, will have free reading room provided
with daily papers and writing mate
! rials. It will have popular lectures foi
the masses. charging only the cost
and if possible, give them free. It vii
have free dispensary for the poor
Z It will meet the cry that is raised
against the church by some that 4
does not take care Of the sick, for 4
& will have 2 fund whereby a trained
nurse can be sent into the homes ant
not only that, but pay the funeral ok
! penses Of the sainted dead. It vii
have free Kindergarten for the little
8 ones. It's music will be In sweet song
B sung not for the purpose of exhibited
. the range of voice, but sung to VIII
souls to Christ It will be a churcl
! baptized anew with the power Of th'
: EPentecost thus working through thes'
q channels for the salvation Of souls ans
! for the protection and development
Z of souls. 1t will scatter to the fou
winds card playing and dancing no