The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1909-01-18

Christs sake. They have some con-
scientious scruples about some things
but in order to stay in society and /
MARI. we'll in the eyes of the world, |
they engage in unholy amusements, |
and join in the waltz of damnation.
Let the crowd hiss-"Puritan' and
"blue-law" few times and many peo
Pile are willing to do as Rome does
whether right or wrong
There are yet three particular evils
which threaten the church which |
must mention briefly. First. The
wide spread and deep-rooted intoler
ence manifested toward the pessimist.
There is no virtue in being either a
pessimist or an optimist, perse. l
! have no sympathy for the fellow who
sees ghosts just for the sake of being
a chronic pessimist or for the man
that knocks just for the purpose Of
being a knocker. But We do need
| several good 2essimists in the church
! es today. Men who have the ability
! to see the enormity of the evils which
i threaten the church, the failure of the
church to meet successfully the on
slaughts of the enemy, and the cause
of failure in some cases. Men who
! have honesty enough to own up to
! the facts of defeat, backbone enough
4 to tell the church members about it
and faith enough to raise the battle
cry and press the battle to the gates
of hell. The attitude of the church
is this: "Mr. Preacher, Mr. Prophet,
/ prophecy unto US nice, fattering
things or shut your mouth None of
your Monday morning blues please. or
We will term you false prophet
Once in while the church drouses
herself sufficiently from hes somnam
bulistic tendencies long enough to ex-
terminate some tormenting pessimist
bowling around in her houses of wor-
! ship and then she returns to the fairy
land dreams of optimism. I believe in
sunshine and God cheer. I have faith
f. and true reasons in Christ .or robust
courage. but / believe in the wisdom
i of the general who ascertains and
counts on the strength Of the enemy
as well as size and efficiency of his
ow army The true rophets Of
Israel told the people of their perils.
sins and failures and warned them of
the awful consequences of rebellion
against Cod
The second particular peril would
49,,
ly qualified Young men who are enter
ing the gospel ministry. The needs
are greater than ever but consecrated
Young men for the ministry are few
in number. Various reasons are as
signed for this condition which IS so
fully in this paper. However. if this
condition continues a few more years,
the church will find herself in desper-
ate straits.
The third particular evil which
threatens the church with spiritual de-
generation and death is the lack of
leadership against these evils upon
the part of the ministry. The minis
ter is Gods appointed leader of men.
and when he refuses, to lead with great
vigor. faith and courage he openly
disobeys the captain of our salvation.
The cons ciousness that God holds him
in his hand for the leadership of the
, people axes the minister strong 10
lead and causes he people to hear
him as one who speaks with authority.
The trouble with some of us is that
: we indulge in spasmodic leadership.
/, We take our stand against certain evil
, and atte spt to lead out the forces
: for the battle. Then we look around
) to see if the lavmen are co ing anC Il
} we see them la~ing far behind us.
: pull dow the flag and retreat. Some
times we even wait for the laymen TO
i lead How much better it would be
l. to be more nobly venturesome. 20
3 need and really lead the saints ;--1inst
r tie forces of satan
n 1t is not prrr to close ; is discus
: SIGN without suggesting some remed
y les and conclusions. First, as one has
Il sa let us make our churches cen
i tres of evangelism. Quoting agar
/ from Dir. Morgan: Every church
. should be an ASYLUM for the lost, :
h refuge for the brokenhearted, homo
d of welcome for the harlot and the
d publican" In Gods name let us take
e down the signs that label us rs
g churches of Christ if We have no com
. passion for such, and we have M
# compassion if it be not strong enough
It to overcome entimental preiudices
which result from mere accident @
e birth Refinement that refuses to re
N leve is nothing more than cultures
n paganism 1t is only as We find on