Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-17
Sunday Morning Talk
A Reasonable Creed.

Article third, I'VE Believe in Salvation
from Sim In our effort to build rea-
sonable creed, realities and not theolos-
ical formulate, however venerable with age,
must be the material which we employ.
The phrase, salvation from sin" may
sound a little formal, but 1t stands Tor
great certainty. The best thing we can
say about human life is that 1t Is salvabie.
It is weak, ignorant, erring. but 1t 10
nevertheless capable Of being made strong,
wise, good. 1t is not only capable OF this.
but the process is actually going on right
before our eyes this very day. Nen and
women, some men and women, are on
their WY upward. They are growing con-
stantly more trustworthy, Drawer, gen.
tier, purer. 1t is too true, alas, that the
opposite process is taking place also, and
some men and women are on their way
downward They are growing daily more
peevish and unlovely. more selfish, sor-
did and sensual. These are plain facts.
The theologans did not invent them. 1t
is the theologian's business to explain them
il he can.
But we are concerned now altogether
with the facts, and, the tacts pelng as
they are, we take counsel of our hopes
and not of our fears: We see the bright
and not the dark side OF the human PFC
ture and confidently declare. We believe IN
salvation from SIM" We believe man.
any man, can break the chains of bad
habits can conquer the temptations of the
flesh and thoroughly establish himself In
ways Of decency and honor. Ihat Is what
we mean by salvation from SIN.
Now comes the great question, now!
That question always introduces depate
among thoughtful people. At the outset
there is variety of views and at the con-
clusion of the discussion there Is no GER
tainty of entire agreement. Yet let us
not hesitate in good temper 10 approacl
the question, always remembering tnae
those vino differ on the method may not
differ as to the fact.
The baldest answer to the question, How
are men saved?" comes from the extreme
right wing. 1t is: Men nave notning 10
do with their salvation, except 10 give
themselves to God in Jesus Christ. Tne
haldest answer from the left wing Is to
the effect that man does everything and
that it is his own character ana not any
one elses stripes or wounds mat saves
man. Still another party might reply en-
yironment," and another Incredibly, and
vet another education" But maybe the
saved man himself has some rights In the
discussion. Let's ask him. he ought 70
know. Would he not probably say that a
great many forces. plus his response to
them, account for any growth in character
that he may be making-a mothers pray ers.
the influence OF teacher the .oucn OF =
friend. wholesome books. the example OF
Others some, or perhaps all, OF these were
factors in his upward progress.
But mightier than these In most cases
two fOrCeS-IHo IMAM SWh VSAS.SeSAe
viii and the aid that comes from Jesus
Christ Just how that aid comes. one may
not care to explain. 1t Is a too intimate
relation to be publicly paraded. II may Dc
that the help comes simply from remember
Ing there was once in this same wicked
world as ours a perfect man. Or 1t may
he something more vital and personal But
he who really wants to build his character
up in beauty, strength and symmetry VIII
not want to dispense with the help OF
Christ in some form or other.
So the struggle for character goes on
. In all climes and among all races. IT
IL as fierce a struggle today as in the first
century. No modern device has opened
any short cut into the kingdom. OF God.
The struggle calls today, as In the past.
. for EFFORT. vigilance self-discipline. prayer.
But the very hardness of the contest stirs
our fghting blood, summons I'D our re-
serves makes us eager to have place
in the glorious company OF those who
| Through life's long day Of strife still chant
their morning song Therefore. we say
sxaiu. ,sswe believe In salvation from sim.
1a40 RARe0N.