Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1909-06-10

doors and join in its service. Neverthe-
less, missionary labor among the Chinese
was continued and prospered ia spite OF
the fact that some good church people did
not understand the sphere of the church.
He touched upon the good work being
done in bringing the indians within the
sphere of the church, and in the general
widening of church lines. IN this con-
nection be spoke in bitter condemnation
OF the Roman Catholic and Protestant
Episcopal churches in barring out of
their pulpits speakers like Gen. o. o.
Howard.
\ The faith of Elisha made iron to swim,
and in instances OF personal knowledge
the general told of occasions when strong
faith and fervent prayer had accom-
plished things seemingly as impossible.
/ We are the children of a common Faith
er and the sphere of the church is to in
clude us all, to raise us up, make us hope
full aud courageous in the power of Al
mighty God, who will give us our re-
ward.
"Wherein Does the Church Fail p was
the subject of an excellent address by
Hon. Mason s. Stone Of Montpelier, state
superintendent Of educstioR.
WHEREIN THE CHURCH FAILS.
In discussing "Wherein Does the
Church FsiI?" Mr.. Stone stated that its
most conspicuous failure was in its neg
lect or inability to attract, hold and culti-
vate its boys and young men. This work
should be done largely through the Sun
day school. The loss of boys from he
Sunday school results from the lack OF
young men teachers, who are in sympa-
thy with boy life, and the lack of pre-
senting Bible truths in an interesting and
attractive manner. Boys in the adoles-
cent period rebel against cant, goodish-
ness and pietism.
The second respect wherein the church
fails is in its lack of virility. This lack
is due chiefly to the lack of developing a
constituency. But, in addition thereto,
and in the minds of many, the church is
deadish institution because it lacks life,
purpose and program. 1t fails to adapt
itself to modern life and thought, and the
preaching il not vital, direct, concrete
and business like. but has too many reams
Of speculative philosophy and too many
screeds against lifeless issues.
third respect in which the church
fails is in service. Most churches are
dedicated as houses of worship rather
than institutions for service, the mem
bers are worshipers rather than workers,
receivers rather than givers, believers rath-
er than doers. The church not only
must teach bot it must serve, and when it
comes to its own it will be more service
able and prosperous than at present.
fourth respect in which the church
fails is its lack of family Spirit. Oeca-
sionally members are unacquainted with
each other; their purposes are not unified,
and concerted action is not taken. As
result, cliques and classes spring up and
the function of the church is neutraIized.
In the frateEnal-sfds ruptures are rare;
in churches they can be fewer.
fifth respect in which the church
!, fails is its lack of business administra-
tion. Any corporation or business enter
prise would fell il managed as the ordin-
AIRY church. Obligations are assumed on
faith, and sometimes paid in faith. Each
church should make up its annual
budget, secure its pledges, collect its sub
scriptions and meet its obligations on
time.
In conclusion, Mr.. Stone sail that al
though the church had failings. it is not
failure, that it is the greatest agent of
general benefcence in existence; il is an
indispensable institution. in every COM
munity, and the most potent factor in
: modern civilization.
Rev. F. A. Poole of Barre took the con-
verse OF the question, and eloquently set
forth "Wherein Does the Church Sue
ceed ~ He said:--
: WHEREIN THE CHURCH SUCCEEDS.
t Yes, the church fails And yet the
: church Of Christ is not q failure. 1t has
: changed the face OF the earth. The mod
] ern world has been built by the church.
e Not exclusively by any means. 1t has
7 been one among many forces. But it has
been one of the greatest and most benef-
e cent.
S To be sure, the influence of the church
has sometimes been injurious, but even
when the influence of the church has
been good it has not been sufficient.
= Why has it not done more? But see
what it has done. And notwithstanding
z mistake and neglect and failure, and in
! spite of wilfuIness, perversity and INSULT
. cheney, the church of Christ is yet mag
! nihcent success. And in this confidence
submit these five propositions;
!. The church of Christ succeeds in
promoting the religion of her Lord.
d Western Europe and America, Australia,
: large portions of Africa and many of the
islands of the sea are Christian in their
/, religious life. Christian missionaries and
institutions proclaim the evangel in the
: heathen world. In our own country there
are more than 80, 600, 600 church members.
And for every avowed disciple, there is
probably another unavowed There is a
church beyond the church. 1t is not &C.
clesiastical, but it has the spirit of the
Master and produces the fruits of the
S Spirit. When you have removed from
the nation the people to whom the
church has given the Christian spirit and
ideals you have made it impossible for
the Republic to survive.
2. The church succeeds in exerting a
wholesome moral influence. 1t had its part
7 in the recent ethical revival which OBJ
tanned in the business world. Many Of its
leaders were church men. The pulpit has
very generally supported the reforms Of
President Roosevelt. But the church was
D not merely in the ethical revival, it was
before it. The preaching of the last Sc
years has put strong emphasis on New
Testament ethics. 1t has recovered the
great ethical message of the prophets,
which John the Baptist and Jesus reiter-