The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-05-15
rup cuuRcH IS SECURE.

columns in the newspapers and maya
yincs irving to prove that the Church
is losing its power and that its down
fall Is near at hand. We are told ps
these prophets of doom that the
Church is no longer filling useful
place in society. Its warnings are no
longer regarded: its ministers are no
longer the spiritual guides of their
people; gradually. but surely, say
these men, the Church is falling back
and in another generation will be lett
behind in the forward march Of pro-
yress. Close the doors, they cay, and
silence the pulpit; a better day Is
coming when the churches will not be
needed and the prophets of new dis
preaching in tho forums of
the people. will give lis new relis-
ion and a new morality. more lasting
and more enduring than that Of the
Church of Christ.
1t is not necessary. in considering
these onslaughts, to say anything
about the men who make them. Were
the attacks well founded, it would
matter very little who fathercd them;
but as they are false. the personality
of their authors is matter of no
Importance. 1t might be remarked in
passing, however, that most of those
apostles of some new and strange
doctrine, which they are striving to
put in the place of true religion. They
attack the Church because they wish
to defend their new creeds; and they
abuse the old in order that they may
gain a hearing for the new. Like
most advocates, they think that the
strength of their own position lies in
the vigor of their attack upon the ex-
listing order.
Be this as it may, it -mattcrs little.
One has only to look about him to see
ample proof that the wall about the
death of the Church is the empty
bowling of foolish reformers and vain
theorists The Church is not losing its
power and the Church will not decline
in the future. The basis upon which
1t rests is eternal, the mission which
it performs Is lasting. and It's hold
upon the people is assured, because it
gives to the people something they
place.
Statistics show that the Church is
TO day as strong in the affection and
life of the people as it has ever been.
TO be sure, church attendance is no
arger TO. day. in proportion to the
population, than 1t was twenty years
ago, but the total number Of church
MEMBERS. on the same basis, is great.
er to-day than it has ever been. New
reeds without number have arisen,
and false doctrines of many kinds
have been spread abroad; but despite
this fact, the number of those who
stand firm in the Christian faith
grows greater with the years.
The progress of all philanthropies
and charities likewise indicates the
StieiStl Oh SHe pOSlllon which the
Church holds in the world. Mu6h is
said and much is written about a phi
lanthropy which is social and "hu-
manitarian," and about charity which
is Constructive" and about benefac-
tions which are uplifting" but all of
these things--it matters very little
what they are called-are prompted
and fostered by the spirit of Chris
tianity. Were the foundation re-
moved, the uperstructure would fall;
were the Church to lose Its place the
whole system built upon it would fall
With II. Since the Church and the Cos
pei for which the Church stands make
the men who make the charities, the
wonderful progress of philanthropy is
proof OF the power of the Church
No one however need so much as
look about him to find ample proof
that the Church Will stand Regard
less of its progress, its apparent de-
feats and it's abnormal successes, the
charities it fosters and the society it
creates, the Church will stand be-
cause the Church is Truth 1t has
stood for centuries and it is stronger
to-day than it has ever been. 1t has
Weathered thousands of storms and
has stood through hundreds of pop
nlar schisms. Stable, secure. mmova-
Bile through the years. it need fear no