The Washington herald., 1909-07-05
Christianity-What Is IT,

Christianity-What Is It?
Editor The Washington Herald:
But for the seriousness involved IL were
trenching upon the seriOcomic TO see the
dissertations. long drawn out champion
ing the separation Of church and state. %
whose defense throughout our borders
I is nonexistent as the windmills Of the re-
doubtable knight. Don Quixote.
II Is a far cry, however. from this IA
vorite exercise 10 the tangible, mo-
mentous proposition Of Christianity %
The Importance Of this factor IN our
country's history was wen emphasized IN
these terms. viz:
my belief embraces the divinity, OF
Christ and a recognition OF Christianity
as the mightiest factor in the world s
| civilization"
This was the deliberative deelarative
statement from the White House OF no
/ less remarkable a personality than a man
who IN a triie over two years thereafter,
mortally stricken down. strove with his
I falling breath to protect his assassin from
/ merited vengeance: a close following OF
/ 8 greater character who did a similar
\ thing Ia seeking to shield His murderers
! from a greater vengeance IN asking,
! Forgive them. for they know not what
\ they do" Surely the judgment OF our
/ latest martyr President must count foT
\ much. and backed up BY a life such as
\ bis,
I We know the meaning OF Calvinism
( and Darwlnlsm. and so on through the
/ alphabet. embodying as they do the IN
/ deriying principles. beliefs. and utter
/ ance OF the men; those o. the Christ may
/ be found plainly recorded by competent
( witnesses. and IN but one bOok-ergo
I such a book must become the textbook
I for a nation founded and grounded on
/ such bases as these. The bedrock Is
/ easily traced 20 New England Puritan
. ism; later. confirmed most authoritative
( ly. witness the National Congress, which
/ ordered this book published and dissem-
1 mated because Il was an ep-tome Of mo-
raIitv and tended only 20 good citizenship
Men who decry Christianity as a 'rac-
tor" are unpatriotic necessarily. They
may have their fight with Sen Frank
In. who moved that sessions Of Con
gress be opened with prayer.
Three notable events occurred on this
national holiday. viz. The opening OF
japanese ports by Commodore Perry. Hll
mother had taught him three things-feai
God. tell the truth. and hate the preach
ers The japanese junks swarmed abou
but none We're allowed 20 come on board
He gathered his men about the capstar
II held service, and au Joined with sailor
lung power IN singing:
AR peoris that on sarrh 10 dwell
Sing % the Lord with cheerful voice
And the good commodore opened tn
way for the preachers" rs no power hat
ever done
Another event was the opening OF th'
= Roberts College az Constanunople. 4
wonderful opening for Christianity b,
I Christopher r. Roberts. the writer's sun
4 day school superintendent IN New Yorl
City.
The third was the destruction OF Ger
vera's feet on a Sunday, the Fourth O
July. Ike the present
Stephen Girard also hated the preach
ers. and forbade their presence How
ever. have heard their school session
, opened with the usual Bible lesson. not
forsooth, as religious instruction
(which IS forbidden In termsD but as III
highest moral teachings 10 be found
Dr. Wal ace Radcliffe. whose sermon yes
terday from Psalms. xxxih. 12. rang clea
! and full on this subject. refers IN scarh
{ ing terms 70 the suggested Sunday open
air concerts BY government bands. IN
drst ever attempted. The above IS
poor reproduction OF thought from a no
i, J Il. sCHENCK.