Morris tribune., 1908-07-11

The following excellent al
dress was given by Supt. B.
Brown at the Congregational
church Sunday evening, une
26th:
A nations religion, like it's litera-
ture and it's government, reflects the
mental condition of it's people. We
get better government as we grow to
appreciate it. Freedom comes to the
man who is ready for it. Religions
serve their purpose and give way to
better religions only as we outgrow
the old. There is no sudden transit
tion. The growth goes on all the
time tho it may be only at intervals
that we note the steps in advance.
Juat now we are noting a forward
movement in Congregationalism, yes,
i'm Methodism and in fact all Christian
organizations. There is nothing new
or sudden in this. We are simply, in
eur church organizations, catching
the spirit Of the age and demanding
Of the churches that they do some
thing. We are beginning to realize
that religious Or spiritual betterment
must be preceded by a physical and
political improvement. We are no
longer satisfied with statements as to
what the church stands for, be the
statement ever so authoritive. 1t is
not enough to know where we stand,
But in what direction do we move?
In discussing some of the things
sAat the church should stand and
move for, there is distinct disinclin-
alton to commit the church, the con-
gregation or the minister, and an in
tention to give some suggestions from
the standpoint of laymen. ''Fools
rush in whore Angels fear to tread"
and sometimes where Angels don't
want to tread.
The church is not the only civilizing
agent and not the only force organic
ed for good. The public schools, the
county and city governments, where
properly administered, and every
public or private business enterprise
is an active force for good and evil in
proportion to the ideals and efficiency
of those in control. One of the for.
ward movements is an effort to Sc
cure the cooperation of all these
forces. This involves a recognition
of the fact that we should use men
whom we do not think as good as we
are in some particular-men lacking
in what we call piety perhaps
who when sorely provoked will say
the things which we think but have
schooled ourselves to suppress. Those
who are doing the worlds work find
chat they must make the best use of
the men and materials at hand. Those
who are doing Christian work are be-
ginning to learn the lesson. Tainted
men and tainted money become puri-
fed when put to work in the cause of
righteousness. Let's get all the faint
cd money we can and take the faint
out of it by using it rightly. Let's get
hold of tainted men and boys and put
them to work for their own and their
country's welfare,
We are all agreed that the church
should stand and move for civic hon
esty, integrity in public and private |
Nfe. One man, the father, one woman,
the mother, who makes and enforce
law for the home. We also believe, or
believe we believe, that manhood
should be our only standard of social
recognition or standing. That the
man in the humblest circumstances if
acting squarely, is entitled to our re-
spect and welcomed to our churches |
equally with men more fortunate
financially. The church in its for
ward movement should look to and
plead for the more rational and hui
name treatment of criminals and |
prisoners. The separation of youth
full wrong doors from hardened Grim
Snals when they must come into our
courts and the adjustment of idle
ness for criminals, inside or outside |
che jails, is matter of vital import
ance and should be Of vital concern. |
OF all the "crimes against criminals''
and they are legion, the enforced
idlepess of those who would work
does most permanent harm.
Thesichurch should teach us, it |
wants to teach us and tries to teach |
as to avoid the awful waste which, if
it could be avoided, who render
poverty and it's attendant suffering
unnecessary thruout the whole world.
The waste of NATURES resources, the
waste of war, the waste of bodily and
mental and moral strength, the waste
Of lands and homes, of time, reputa-