The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1907-08-29

nations and to fashion it 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 cG the
church at home to the heather 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 or
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 eXemplifcation OF
modern advance. And they are. But
they ought to be more. Unfortunate
" the church is associated in the
heather mind with the vices as we'll
as with the virtues of latter-day civil
ization. We as a church at home,
blessed beyond computation by the
grace of God, owe it 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
salvation Of the nations in the beauty
of our religious self-expression. II
we have an obligation laid upon US
to inspire, to enthuse, to Lead up ana
on and out the Christian hosts OF
God. we have at least an equal COM
mission to do as much for those be-
nishted souls who worshipr God un-
der other than the ensign or the
Cross.
But how shall we be fit to in
spire, to educate, in short, to save!
How may we effect the transforma-
ton of the world? How may we
make actual the majestic vision or
the salvation of the world in this gen.
Grafton? We can accomplish it only
by being inspired, educated, saved
ourselves. Till we are these the work
will remain unfinished. Till we are
consecrated after this fashion the Ia
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 Gcd. that has had the spirit of
life breathed of God into its soul.
BY such church it can be done.
For the world is ready to receive
the truth of the simple gospel or
Christ. IN spite Of many very In
ausp;cious signs, the times were nev-
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 lS4o there was but one Christian
as the, result of missionary effort In the
midst of multitude In China. To-
day there are 10000 Chinese Chris
tians. Of these $4,000 have come to
Christ since 1900. The great awak-
eninss in Wales and in India, in Ko-
rea and in America, in every quarter
of the globe, prove that the world is
ready to be inspired, ready to be led,
ready to receive the truth.
The church in America may move
in the van of the effort to lift the
world toward God If 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 hu-
manity to the level Of the best. Only
the Church Of Christ can transform
the heather. The church of the l1v-
ing God in America may, If she Will,
enthuse and regenerate and educate
the world. For in Christ alone is
found that catholic universal mes
sage that meets the necessities OF all
the world. Blessed with our vision
we shall be cravens if 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 to every creature" let us
erthuse. inspire educate mankind.
Let us be alive in Christ.