The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1910-08-11
PREACHERS TALK CHURCH UNION
Continued From First Page. J

into daily life, this indicates the dis
tinction between the exercises OF the
sanctuary and that should be legltl-
mately designated service OF Christ:
The church worship answers that call
of our natures for stimulation to the
performance of everyday duties. The
service of Christ is tersely described
by James in his Epistle. Pure relig-
ion and undefled before God and the
Father is this-to visit the fatherless
and widows in their affiiction and keep
yourself unspotted from the world.
This text suggesting the general ex-
preston of good will and helpfulness.
To the rendering of Christian service
multiplicity Of organizations is one
great obstacle. In the first place 1t
takes so much energy to keep the
different societies going that nothing
is left for service. 1t takes so much
effort to run the engine as to leave
nothing for the machinery OF service.
Again: In the strenuous endeavor to
maintain existence things are done
which injure confidence, rather than
inspire, The desire for members, at
times, becomes so pronounced as to
lead to questionable methods for the
securing of additional helpers even to
the point of occasional proselyting IN
it's ingenuously hidden forms and the
sacred revival service has come to be
looked upon and not altogether without
cause as q means for the increasing
of the church roll. These and other
reflections from strict Christian ethics,
are, however, more the result Of un-
fortunate conditions than of defective
Chistian character. Further than these
the multitude of organizations stands
in the way Of high class exercises.
There are not enough singers to go
around; competent teachers of Sunday
School are not available, and the work
of the ministers not so clear cut and
helpful as if he had the larger inspira-
tion. His time is used to disadvantage
and his office not properly regarded.
And lastly | would mention the break
ing up of social circles as a disadvan-
tage of no small import.
Now the question is "What Will We
Do About IT." When we mediate on
the history of leading denominations
we appreciate their existence on ac-
count of the circumstances which
brought them forth. At the same
time we realize that in many instances
conditions of origin have subsided.
But we also realize that during the
existence of the several denominations
large investments in missionary and
educational endeavor have been made
and important responsibilities taken.
These must be taken care of. This
suggests that the process of getting
together must be one il amalgamation
rather than of absorption of one organ
ization by another. Local denomina-
tions can in many instances satisfac-
torily combine for worship and service
and still retain their independence so
far as outside connection is concerned.
II we would have effective religious
life in Hood River something like this
must be done. 1t is not any principle
which would need to be sacrificed in
this coming together which constitutes
the serious question of the present but
the principle which is continuously be-
ing sacrificed by remaining as we are.
In our locality two or more denomina-
tions could go together choosing, d
name of local Significance and under ii
putting the names of the constituent
societies. In the conditions which con-
front us nothing could be lost by the
attempt and any unoccupied buildings
would stand as a monument to sane
experiment. Hood River might get in