Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury [Connecticut]) 1903-1917, 1908-01-27
DR. DAVENPORT
He Defends Professionalism and
Says There is DO Decline.

PERISH, was the SUBJECT Vi tHc hc'
John G. DavenpOrt's discourse at the
Second Congregational church yester-
day. The sermon was Il reply to Dr
Smythe of New Haven. prominent
Protestant clergyman, who has an
nOunced that Professionalism has outliV-
ed its usefulness and will soon pass
away.
These words from the lips Of a
clear headed, large hearted man,
of acknowledged ability and in
tiuence," said DR. Davenport, ARE to
say the least, startling. They seem
to look in the direction of the down
fall of the church. For he quotes the
words of a so-called modern prophet,
IF society continues to disintegrate
and decay. the church will be carried
down with it."
On every hand, we hear that the
masses of the people, the laborlng peo-
pie, so called, are drawing away from
the church, feeling that it is out of
sympathy with them in their struggles
and their aspirations, that it fails to
represent the compassion and helpful-
ness of the Master whose great name
it bears. There are those who main
tain that the church is not up to date
in its thought and endeavor, is linger-
ing too fondly among old dogmas and
antiquated discussions, lowering
around Jerusalem or Geneva instead
of considering the pressing need of
humanity in this country in this TWEEN
tieth century.
Thus DR. Evans of Cambridge said
not long ago, at is recorded that a
few years ago the representatives of
several churches in great state in our
country gathered in large numbers at
their capital to protest against any
change in the Sabbath laws which
were enacted more than a hundred
years ago. The legislative hall was
crowded with church people in the
afternoon. That same evening there
was to be a discussion, and if possible
the enactment of child labor bill.
There was no state in the union with
more children at work and more need
of humane laws, and yet only Il few
of the church people remained over
for that session. These church people
were profoundly interested in Sabbath
laws one hundred years old, but not
interested in one of the most urgent
and just demands of humanity in
these days"
And the inference as drawn by many
people from such an incident is that
an institution so hopelessly negligent
of present and pressing duties and re-
spOnsiblities cannot expect to sur
vive, and has no business to do so.
Much of course, is made Of the divis-
ions among Professionals, so many or
ganizations with their separate be-
liefs and methods, if not actually con-
demnatory of each other, yet not
closely enough in sympathy TO war
rant their thorough union in worship
and work.
And so Professionalism is said to be
''fraying out" losing its strength by
reason Of its separation into so many
distinct fibres, instead of having these
all woven into one firm. substantial,
beautiful fabric. Without question ex-
ternal unity is lacking. And if that
is essential, organized, Professionalism
must be in a decadent state. Other
pessimistic utterances regarding this
matter are frequently heard, and the
question forces itself upon us, Is or
ganized Professionalism destined to per-
ish from the face of the earth?
Let us look at the matter candidly,
for 1t is one that deeply concerns us.
Only the extremists will deny that
when Christ uttered the prophetic
words of our text. He included what
we call 1.-THE Protestant churches" in
His comprehensive title, MY Church"
For here we have those who out of
faith in and love for Him are banded
together for His work and worship.
They acknowledge His divine head
ship and are pledged TO obedience and
devotion. And of His church He says.
THE gates of Hades shall not prevail
against IT,"
But. some will maintain, He said
more than this: He said to Peter,
Thou are Peter and upon this rock
will build Ny Church." and you do not
admit such foundation. But do we
not? OF course we do not ascribe
such primacy TO him as do some others.
Paul said. THE church is built upon
the foundation OF prophets and apos-
ties. Jesus Christ himself being the
chief cornerstone" And we rest upon
the Christ as made known to us
through prophets and apostles, Peter
haf
We remember that Peter was Sc
verely rebuked by Paul after about
fifteen years of leadership, because
Of his conformity to Judaism, and
his lack of moral courage in refus-
ing to stand by his principles in the
presence of those who chung to the
methods of the old dispensation.
from which time he evidently no
longer holds the chief place among
the apostles. 1t was James, not
Peter, who presided at the import
ant council at Jerusalem. Paul says
that he saw at Jerusalem James and
Peter and John. who were reputed
to be pillars" not one, you notice,
but three The evidence that Peter
was ever bishop Of Rome rests upon
very slight historical evidence.
And so not according him the su-
preme place that is claimed for him.
we honor him as the man changed
by the grace of God from shifting
sand TO solid granite. and 50 illus
trating in his own character the
power Of the Gospel: as one not
afraid to confess the divine Christ:
as an earnest and eloquent preacher
in those first DAYS. and so laying the
foundations Of truth and love upon
which the church was to be estab-