The Washington herald., 1907-07-28
A SUNDAY TALK.

Think not / am come 10 send peace on earth;
come not to send peace but 3 sSorS-ot. Matthew
Y: 81.
1t was after Jesus had been abroad In
the land and had suffered the doubts Of
those who were amazed at the miracles he
had performed that He returned to Naza-
reth and gathered the twelve apostles
about Him. Matthew was the last. Jesus
had found him sitting at the receipt Of
custom, had called him, and Matthew had
followed. Now, once more on the land He
knew so well, Jesus called the twelve to-
gether and gave them power to cast out
unclean spirits, to heal all manner Of
sickness and disease, and, sending them
out into the world. He gave them their
final instructions. He told them TO pro-
vide neither gold nor silver in their
purses, but TO earn their way, "for the
workman is worthy OF MS meat" And
He warned them:
Behold. send you forth as sheep in the midst
Of wolves"
And later on, in the list Of His instruc-
tioas, which may be prohtably pondered
by all who profess to teach the gospel OF
Jesus Christ, He told them that they need
not flatter themselves that they were
going 70 have time Of ease or peace. i
come not to send peace, but sword" lie
said
And so It has been since that day, nine
teen hundred years ago, that Christianity
has not Just happened. It's doctrines have
not been accepted by the world just be-
cause. they chanced to be there, 10 be
chosen or rejected. Every foot of the way.
the weary way that has led TO the civili-
cation which we enjoy, has been marked
by suffering and bitterness and conflict;
the sword has always been in evidence.
To-day we find all over the country peo-
pie affiliated with the Christian Church
asking why It is that people do not go
more 10 church on Sundays; why there
seems 70 be a growing Indifference to re-
ligious duties, and why it Is that for scien-
tihc or philosophical investigation vast
sums OF money are readily subscribed.
while for purely religious work, for the
extension Of the work Of the churches, no
money IS forthcoming.
May It not be because the modern dis
elples OF Jesus Christ have forgotten TO
some extent the instructions which He
gave to His first disciples? The world to-
day is very prone 10 take things as they
seem, ana the incongruity between the
fatted ease Of some Of the clergy and the
hard times known by the multitude c. the
poor is strikngly evident. In every city
the spires Of magnificent churches rise
heavenward; temples supposed 10 be built
20 the glory Of the Most High, and yet
many Of them are closed.
Some Of these that are not closed, but
which stand with open doors inviting them
who pass to enter and worship. have
their doors open only In the summer time
and those who cannot AFFORD the expen-
siye pew rent can enter these churches
only in the heated term when the rich
parishioners are out OF town.
We are not quarreljng with social condi-
tons as they are. Such they have become
and we must make the best Of them But
one cannot help but think of the clergy
men who so completely ignore the instruc-
tons which S'e gave 10 His FIRST disciples.
and which. undoubtedly, He laid down as
a line OF conduct through all the ages
The militant clergy seems 20 have passed
away. Evils OF our social life multiply
Politicians. social economists. phnoso-
piers. seek a remedy for them. but some
ministers whose mission is mot 10 send
peace, but a sword keep their weapons
In their scabbards and fight no more.
II is not thus the regeneration of the
world shall come. X is work that Is
needed; hard work and sacrifice, Instead OF
ease and indulgence. The people need
leaders, not well-paid servants who seem
to have forgotten that Christ said: He
that taketh not his cross and followeth
after me- IS not worthy Of me-"
Il is the church and its professors that
must lead the march II progress IS to con-
fiune