The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-04-22
IS RELIGION OF FATHERS
NOW BEING DESERTED?
REV. w. II. JORDAN DISCUSSES
SUBJECT FOR THE JOURNAL
Concludes that the Fundamental Princi-
Piles Are Still the Same the World
Over and as Much Beloved, Attic
Gospel Is Now Looked Upon in a
More Modern Light.
BY Rev. w. n. Jordan.

care we DESERVING the good, old
fashioned religion Of our fathersa"
The answer to such question must
depent in degree upon our conception
of what that " old-fashioned religion"
was. Do we refer to it's life and es-
sence, or to it's forms, its customs and
practices9 While I believe that the
still with US and powerfully affect us,
and the essence Of the old doctrines are
still preached with power in the Chris
tian pulpits of the world; [ yet am
aware that we are changing many re-
igious customs and practices, and even
our methods Of Interpretation.
To some minds these changes OF Gus
toms and habits Is the loss Of all. They
think of them not as concomitants Of
the times, but as inseparable from true
religion. Some years ago good old
brother Of my acquaintance would new
they were "not as they used to be.
He said: ''People haven't got much re-
ligion now days, and the preachers
amt as earnest as they used to be.
In them days folks came twenty miles
elders came a-horseback, with their
saddlebags, and swan the creeks and
rivers. Now they ride around In the
cars and take it easy.'
To his mind true religion was insep-
arably connected with saddlebags'
and swimming streams. To such minds
there is but one answer to the question:
we "deserted the good old religion of
our fathers' when we took to modern
ways and conveniences.
| Changes Of views, of emphasis and
! Interpretation, have marked all the GEN.
turtles Of the past, and sometimes have
led to tremendous awakenings and ref
ormations. We need not then be over
apprehensive at the present discussions.
The last decade has witnessed an un-
usual emphasis of religious agitation.
Unrest and disturbance has been
marked in many quarters. Men with.
all sorts of theories and hypothesis
have pushed them to the front; some
with becoming reverence, and others
with ,unblushing arrogance. A few
would-be leaders rush forward with
great flourish of titles and degrees and
inform us, that if we would be Cup
with the times we must forsake all of
our old creeds and doctrines and must
adopt their "new learning" They
| laugh all others off the field with the
learned declaration: emo one now Of
any standing believes this or that. -
This class creates some stir and at
tracts attention: but whether they have
much effect upon the general religious
life is doubtful.
Devout critics have undoubtedly
brought about change of religious
thought and Interpretation. Without
overthrowing the old faith or undermin-
ing the truth, they have changed our
viewpoint and given us new light on
the old revelation. While. the old word
Of truth stands, some Of our notions
and even some cherished beliefs have
had to give way or be modified.
We hardly realize how some of our
cherished beliefs rest, not upon the
plain "Thus saith the Lord" but upon
the teaching or interpretations of men.
With further investigation and new
ton of thought. Our fathers did the
same; and according to their light mod
fled the views Of their fathers.
: But all these changes Of thought and
! Interpretation do not necessarily mean
that we have forsaken the essence of
our fathers religion. The real student
of the times is aware that there is a
. tremendous religious current running
thru the world; not SO marked in black
headlines, perhaps, or so distinguished
with learned degrees and titles, but a
powerful factor in shaping public life,
even as it was in the days Of our faith
!, ers.
''The good, old-fashioned religion of
= our fathers is still with us in it's es-
: sence of faith and confidence in Christ.
n The old doctrines Of sin and retribution,
. Christ, His gift for man, and the hope
> of the resurrection are still preached in
the pulpits, and cherished in the hearts
t Of the people. Men are still hungry
: for the old truth and for the comforts
and consultations of its doctrines. Moth
: ing so moves the world or satisfies the
y human heart as the gospel Of Jesus