The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1907-08-23

nations and TO fashion II into sub.
lime temples for the abode OF the
Spirit OF God. is the opportunity and
duty of'the church at home.
Not otherwise is the duty OF the
church at home 10 the heathen who
are here and In the corners OF the
earth. The civilization that is most
modern is co-terminous with the pro-
gress and the influence of Christian
ity.
Modern civilization as we under
stand that term is the product OF
Christian lands and of the genius
OF Christian peoples. To the heather
both at home and abroad modern
civilization and Christianity are syn
onymous. To him the followers OF
Christ are the eXemplitlCation OF
modern advance. And they are. But
| they ought To be more Unfortunate-
| ly the church is associated in the
| heather mind with the vices as well
as with the virtues OF latter-day civil
| iZation. We as a church at home.
| blessed beyond computation by the
grace OF God, owe IL to the heather
over all the world TO be such an edu-
cational and inspirational force that
they shall see God in us and the
SdlN VI tue udllOHS III lut btduly
of our religious selt-expression. IL
we have an obligation laid upon us
TO inspire, TO enthuse, TO lead up and
| on and out the Christian hosts OF
God. we have at least an equal COM
| mission to do as much for those be-
| nighted souls who worship God un-
der other than the ensign Of the
Cross.
But how shall we be fit TO in
spire, TO educate. in short. TO saver
How may we effect the transforma-
tion Of the world? How may We
| make actual the majestic vision OF
"the salvation OF the world in this gen.
| Grafton? We can accomplish II only
| by being inspired, educated. saved
ourselves. Till we are these the work
will remain unfinished. Till we are
consecrated after this fashion the la-
| Dor cannot be completed. For how
can an uninspired church enthuse?
| Can the blind lead the blind! How
can an ignorant church educate any,
one In the knowledge OF the deeper
truths OF the Kingdom of Almighty
God? How can people who have
not experienced the Joys OF sure
| salvation declare the glory OF God
| to the heather and declare "the gos-
| pei TO every creature?" It can not
be done by any save church that is
itself inspired, that is itself versed
| in the eternal mysteries OF the truth
OF God, that has had the spirit or
| life breathed of God into It's soul.
| BY such a church II can be done.
For the world is ready to receive
| the truth of the simple gospel OF
| Christ. IN spite OF many very In
auspiclous signs. the times were new
| er reader. We are told that In
| China. by way of example, DR.. Rob-
ert Morrison labored from 1907 to
1884 TO secure in the end but two
converts to the faith OF Jesus Christ.
| In 1S40 there was but one Christian
| as the result OF missionary effort In the
midst OF multitude In China. To-
day there are 150 900 Chinese Chris
| tians. OF these $4,000 have come TO
| Christ since 1900. The great awak-
| enings In Wales and in India, In Ko-
rea and in America, In every quarter
OF the globe. prove that the world 10
ready to be inspired, ready to be led.
ready to receive the truth.
The church in America may move
| I'm the van OF the effort 10 lift the
world toward God II she will Her
position is exalted. Her call is d.
vine. Shall we lift or shall we leave
the world? Christ or paganism?
| Which?
Only Christianity can elevate hui
manty TO the level OF the best. Only
the Church OF Christ can transform
| the heather. The church OF the liv-
| ing God in America may, II she Will,
enthuse and regenerate and educate
| the world. For in Christ alone Ia
| found that catholic universal mes
sage that meets the necessities Of all
| the world. Blessed with our vision
we shall be cravens II we do not
| bear the flag Of Jesus high aloft and
| ahead Neither head-strong nor
heart weary" but, in the words OF
! DR.. Stryker, OF Hamilton College, "as
mediators and contributors TO the
| only time we shall ever have TO do
with" let us declare His glory
| among the heathen," let us preach
| the gospel 10 every creature" let us
| enthuse, inspire educate mankind.
| Let US be alive in Christ.