The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1910-09-17

sparsely settled, and when people lived
more Independently Of each other, re-
ligion was interpreted from an individ.
ualistic view point. Life was then sim.
pie and relationships few; therefore,
community service was not so neces.
sary and obligations not so binding.
Individualistic civilization naturally as.
sumes an individualistic type Of re.
ligion. But as our population increases
and our interest become more interim r.
ed radical changes are wrought In both
our civilization and religion. No long
or is the individualistic type preeminent
but the social or collective type has
merged to the front and occupies the
larger place In both our national and
religious lives.
No fair minded man will question for
a moment tao dynamic value Of reli.
gion in the social movements Of the past.
Ii has driven individuals, armies and
nations with terrific impact. II has
been the axis which has, in many re-
spects, turned the wheels Of economic
history. From Its incipiency Christ ian.
ity has been a social force. II has
raised it's voice with no uncertain sound
against all oppression and wrong. The
better day which 1t has always held up
before the people has been u constant
cause Of unrest and hope. The politi.
cal and social u~pheavals of the sixteenth
and seventeenth centuries were made
possible because religion added its force
aud enthusiasm 10 the causes of their
discomfort.
The social power Of religion has been
also demonstrated in that IL has act.
ed as a conservative check to radical
speech and hasty action. Through Its
influence nations have been induced to
bow humbly and patiently to the divine
right Of authority and thus neutralized
many revolutionary schemes. II has
befriended every worthy endeavor, In.
spired every noble impulse and disdain.
ed very wrong and oppressive principle.
A skeptical world may be slow or un.
willing to admit this, but beyond ques.
tion the world is due its largest debt to
the corrective force of its religion. So
today the geratest safeguard Of the
nation is its religion. II In able to ad-
just itself to every condition and meet
every demand made upon II. The old
duslism which has been SO long foster.
ed, however, does not meet our present
demands. A new environment calls for
a new adjustment in order to conserve
the best interest of both the individual
aud the nation.
The part that Christianity il to have
in shaping the future policy of the
world can be easily determined by the
light Of present day history. II is safe
10 say that Christianity In these recent
times insists more on ethical outcome
and tests Of religious piety than ever
before. Today mems piety is accept.
ed only when he is known 10 be a good
man. The time has never been when
religion and morality we're so closely
allied AZ they are today. Quite differ
ent from the conditions which existed in
the Dark Ages. The world now demands
that a religious man must also be a NOR.
al man. The conscience Of the world
IL so aroused today that Il has no place
for the fraud or the sham though he
may dress In purple and fine linen and
fare sumptously every day,
The religious teaching Of the present
also indicates something of Its influ.
ence upon the coming generation. Dog.
matism has ceased to be the leading
characteristic Of the present day preach.
ing. II has now become less doctrinal
and more ethical. The union sentiment
that so largely pervades C~hristendom
could not exist II the churches dwelt as
In times past upon doctrinal differences.
The rise of institutional churches and
the interest In social settlements indi.
cate that the religious impulse Is work.
ing In ethical directions. As a result
II brighter day In dawning upon us,
False philosophy is giving way TO u
more intelligent system of work. The
brightest minds and greatest philan.
thropists are working hand in hand to
bring about such social conditions AS
will conserve the best interest of all
classes of society.