Gilpin observer., 1909-01-07
A Word Against Hypoe-
risy in the Church.

Some time ago there appeared in
the Rocky Mountain News, an arti.
Gle entitled, "The Hypocrisy of
Church Members" written by one.
F. S. Cuyler, of Pueblo, Colo. In it
the writer intimates that there are
about three-fourths of the member
snip OF the churches hypocrites and
that is why the influence of the
church is growing less and it's
members diminishing. take issue
with Mr.. Cuyler as to the element
of hypocrisy in the church. 'Tis true
there is a certain amount of it to
be found, but nothing near the pro-
portion that he would imply. The
basis in Christ's time among his men,
bers was one-twelfth and l should
judge that that would be about the
estimate today.
The highest class of humanity is
to be found in the church today and
the majority would sacrifice almost
every interest in life before they
would bring reproach on the name
of Jesus or do anything that was
not in accord with his teachings. The
church has raised the standard of
morals and it's members as a class
are living up to them and that stand
ard is far in advance of the code
Abraham was familiar with.
AS the world advances the relig-
ions standard is being raised and
very much more is expected from
church members, but they in a mod
ern phrase are making good" Mr..
Cuyler thinks that it is the moral
condition of the members that is re-
tarding the progress of the church.
don't think this is the case to any
great extent though there may be
some truth in the statement.
| believe there is a greater reason
for the lack of progress, which is
very much in evidence with eccle-
siastical organizations today. The
church has not been keeping pace
with the advancement and the mental
development of the human family and
therefore her antiquated doctrines
will not be accepted, consequently
when a man cannot conform to her
teachings he will refuse to affiliate.
She insists on her members accept
ing the old Abrahamic idea of God"
The God" of that day was bounded
by limitations, who of necessity, was
compelled to visit locality as he
did Sodom and Gomorrah in order to
satisfy himself in regard to evil re-
ports which he heard of its people.
Then he was dishonorable accord
ing to writer's, in that he made one
law for the Jews and another for
the Gentiles, saying to the Jews that
If an animal died of a disease they
We're not to eat it themselves, but
they could sell it to a stranger.
Our idea of God today is an all
powerful, unlimited being, absolutely
just and no respector of persons, and
we cannot accept those records as
true as the orthodox will maintain.
The officials of the church have re-
fused to allow it to take its place
in the world as an educational in
stitution and as the advance agent
of lofty and enobling thought and
teachings. There is a young genera
ton growing up today who through
study and contrast with the great
thinkers Of the age have aquired ad-
vanced ideas of Christianity and can
not accept the antiquated teaching of
the church and consequently are left
outside the vale to drift into in
fidelity and a disregard for holiness
and the pure religion of Christ. Again
1t is not practical and does not come
In contact with the world to uplift
1t in a material as well as a spiritual
way. But it is great mission and
when she sees the light as some
branches Of it are. she will take
her proper place and carry on the
great work that she is destined to
do. A. T.