The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-03-17
A sATURDAY sERBFON.
These ought We to have done, and not tc
leave the other Observation-Disclosures . %

In a recent address on the subject.
The Final Test of Christianity" Rev.
Charles W. Williams. dean of Trinity
cathedral at Cleveland, gave utterance
to some truths about practical Chris
tianity which have attracted wide at
tention. The address has been pub
hshed IN condensed form as maya
zine article. and the tone of 1t is in
dicated by this paragraph:
This is the paramount ethical
business Of the Christian church today.
to let the Christian conscience out of
the narrow limitations where we too
often conhne 1t, and give it its rightful
sway over the whole common life of
man The church is to teach men to
do business and to vote as they pray,
in the fear of Cod; to go to the polls
or the legislative halls as they go to
the sacrament, in the fear of God. She
Is to speak as fearlessly from her pull
pits against the evils OF commercial
dishonesty and political corruption as
she does now against the evils of d.
vorce or drunkenness. let it cost her
what it may in patronage, IN gifts or
in social prestige. And until she does,
she viii not commend her religion as
valid or virile to this age and genera
ton"
Has not Dean Williams struck the
keynote Of the usefulness and the life
of the church of the future? Some
churches already fulfil their mission
along the line suggested. but many
others do not. There is much discus
sion as to whether the power of the
church is waning. Is there not some
connection between the two2 Are not
empty church pews accounted for by
the failure of the church to preach
real. practical Christianity
A Kansas church member was once
Directing to the way in which the
pastor of another church was taking
hand in municipal politics. "Our
preacher knows better than to say
anything about how we regulate the
joints" said this church member. I'VE
don't pay him to drag politics into the
pulpit and he knows If he does 1t his
salary viii come up missing"
Is it any wonder that the church
with such pastor, supported by such
a member was virtually dead? Is it
any wonder that its pews were empty,
and that it had no power or influence
in the community? Is it any wonder
that its members were regarded as a.
pretty poor sort of Christians2 Is it
any wonder, in fact, that this partic-
ular church was really a detriment in
stead of a help to the moral life Of
the community because it brought dis
grace upon Christianity instead Of
honoring it?
The primary object of Christianity
is. of course, the salvation Of men.
The Saviour gave his life a sacrifice to
make men better. That is the founda-
ton of the church and should be fore
most among its teachings. But the
church cannot do this unless it also
emphasizes those things the Great
Teacher himself taught
One Of the great wrongs Of the pres
I eut day is what Dean Williams refers
to as Commercial dishonesty and po-
! litical corruption. It is up to the
/ church to come out strong along these
/ lines if it is to be a power among men.
Some churches do so already, and 9th
ers do not. Some churches are very
careful Of the feelings of rich men if
the rich men happen to be contrib
utors. It is easy to preach against the
big trust magnates at a distance. but
not so easy to criticfse specific bust
ness wrongs close at home. And vet
the only time Christ ever used violent
/ force against wrong-doers was when
he took a scourge. or a club. and drove
the business interests out OF the
/ temple. He did not preach against
the trusts and corruption at Rome.
but against that in Jerusalem. It is
/ all right. of course, to talk about the
trusts in New York. the political cor
ruption in Washington. and the bank
wreokers In Peoria and Pittsburg, but
commercial crimes in Kansas are what
Kansas people should remedy. We
scribes and Pharisees OF Topeka need
some pointed preaching occasionally
Woe unto you. scribes and Pharf-
sees, hypoeritesi" said Jesus. s.For
We pay 1.-THE of mint and anise and
eummin, and have omitted the weigh
tier matters OF the law, judgment
mercy. and faith: these ought We 10
have done, and not to leave the Other
/ undone.'