The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1910-12-22
The Church-Its
Danger and
Security
By REV. w. C. CURRY

TEXT-Awake. awake. put on thy
strength; o Zion.-Isaiah LII. l.
Jehovah spoke this when Judaism
had fallen into great weakness. Enc
mics beset on every side. The church
has often had its times of moral
weakness. Deliverance always came.
The slumbering giant not only awoke
but exerted himself. A deep slum-
Der prevailed when Christ came. Great
systems of idolatry prevailed. The
true God was nigh forgotten. The
Saviour gathered little band around
him and sent them forth. With
matchless strength they attacked the
the powers and Satan's kingdom was
shaken. Another crisis came-papal
corruption. Pure Christianity slept
beneath gaudy trappings of Catholi-
cism, movements for freedom were
watched, and dungeons were filed
with those who dared look up.
Awake awakel" was sounded. Mar
tin Luther arose to restore spiritual
tty. Since then the truth has been
gaining power. When we consider
the facilities we have, the outlook Is
now hopeful.
There is another side.
l. The church is threatened with
danger
l. Danger from peculiar activity
and excitability of the times in
which We liye-entirely an earnest
age. New discoveries, new forces ap-
pearing. Law of change is every
where. Wonderful schemes claim
public attention. Science, art are
ever presenting new questions. Our
minds and hands are full; never was
there more activity. 1t is not an I'M
fortunate condition. We would not
lock the wheels of progress, and re-
mand the age back to the darkness of
the past. In the midst of the excite
ment we are in danger Of infection. un-
less there be a corresponding earnest
ness in Christian character. Our dan
ger is inability to control these forces.
We are too much controlled by them.
We are being permeated by the spirit
OF the world, instead OF permeating it
with our spirit We must show a re-
ligion full of life and energy-not a
cold, sleepy religion.
2. The tendency to innovation. We
believe all essentials are clearly re-
vealed in the Scriptures. Yet we
think more light and improved meth
dds may be employed But from Ger
many comes a spirit that would say
our foundations. 1t has found its
way into our theological schools,
and is poisoning the minds of the
rising ministry They tell US that
reason and not faith must be the
guide They have discovered the BIZ
Bile is an antiquated book. and the
gospel too cold They would take
away The Bible as a perfect rule Of
faith and practise. The danger lies
in having our minds alienated from
the simplicity of the gospel. and a
desire to seek the novelties. We need
now more than ever before to cry for
the old paths.
3. In danger from the increasing
holiness and energy Of the enemies Of
Christianity. We are no longer at
tackled by a few. but the ranks are
strong and the infidelity declares its
truths to be the only truths. 1t has
never displayed so much determine
ton. 1t is widespread and is with
men in daily walks; is in politics,
taints legislation, and has taken hold
upon the public press. The world
is flooded with its literature. Vast
multitudes listen TO inddelity's mod
ern apostle.
In the light of all these facts have
We not cause for alarm? Are we in
a condition to successfully contend
with these forces? The church is
not putting forth her strength. She
has had smooth sailing a long time,
and sleeps.
II. What are the elements Of
strength.
|. Sound doctrine, In these days
of laxness and insidiousness We need
TO contend earnestly for the faith
once delivered to the saints. The
doctrines of depravity, atonement and
salvation by grace must be empha-
sized. Let this be done. and infidel-
ity will not affect the religion of per-
sonal experience.
2. Spiritual life. We need high
er-toned spirituality. a religion that
enters into all our social and business
relations, giving color and shape to
the daily life.
How shall this strength. which God
calls on us to exert, be put on? 1t
is not physical. but spiritual strength
that we need. 1t must be put on upon
our knees.